18 posts
Have you ever heard or read about a wine being described as “Bright?” You may have wondered what this really means. So, let’s take a quick look at “bright” wines. When someone describes a wine as “bright” they are referring to the fact that it has ...
Acids are a key component of wine, alongside tannin, alcohol, and sugar. They contribute to the wine’s freshness, act as a preservative, and help keep the microbes in check. Acidity also gives wine its tart and sour taste. There are two main ways to...
We know that wine is a lovely drink made from fermented fruit, but what exactly is in a bottle of wine? Water Wine is usually comprised of 80-90% water that is directly extracted from squeezed grapes. In rare instances, water may be added to dilu...
Last time we looked at acidity levels in wine that are measured on the pH scale and in terms of grams of acid per liter (Total Acidity). While Total Acidity is a measure of the concentration of acids in a wine, the pH level tells you how intense tho...
Acidity in wine is one of the four fundamental traits of a good wine (Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol and Sweetness). For a wine to be considered “good,” each of these traits must be in proper proportion or ‘balance’ to each another. If there’s too much of ...
It is commonly known that red wines age best. But why, you may ask, is that? Why can red wine be aged longer than whites? After all, they are both made from the juice of grapes! The answer has a lot to do with tannins and acidity, but residual sug...
There are four fundamental traits that comprise a good wine. They are Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol and Sweetness. For a wine to be considered “good,” each of these traits must be in proper proportion to each another. This is because each of these four...
There are four fundamental traits that comprise a good wine and they all have to work together in balanced harmony. They are Acidity, Tannin, Alcohol and Sweetness. Let’s start by looking at Acidity. A wine’s acidity starts in the vineyard. Grapes...
There are a lot of terms that are thrown around regarding wines. And, one that you may hear about in the warmer months is “refreshing.” But, what exactly does it mean for a wine to be considered refreshing? Well, in a word, it’s acidity. Acid is a...
When wines get described you’ll often hear terms such as soft, smooth, silky, plush, firm, sharp and round. These are common textures we are familiar with when touching something with our hands. But what do these textures mean in wine? Simply put, a...
Wine and cheese. They just go together. But, there’s actually a pretty good reason that this pairing typically works together so well. Let’s start with red wines. They can be rather tannic due to the stems, seeds and stems of the grapes. Tannin is ...
2015 Gerd Anselmann Pfalz Trocken Riesling ($14) This German Riesling, from the region of Pfalz, is “Trocken” meaning dry (little to no residual sugar). So, while many German Rieslings are sweet, this is an example of one that, while having little t...
Riesling is a wine that is most famously produced in Germany where nearly half the world’s Riesling grapes are grown. Other great producers of Riesling include the Alsace region of France, Australia, Austria, Canada and the United States. Riesling th...
Last time, the topic of residual sugar was discussed. Simply put, residual sugar (RS) is a measure of the sugar (typically in grams per liter) that remains in wine after fermentation. During an uninterrupted fermentation, the yeast will continue to...
Light bodied white wines are a great place to start when learning about and tasting wines. They are fresh and crisp with bright fruit flavors and high acidity. So the next step up is into medium bodied and full bodied whites. As I have been resear...
Last time we took a quick look at one of the characteristics of wine, its body. A wine’s body is simply based on how it feels in your mouth. And a wine’s body is affected by its alcohol level, tannin, acidity and sweetness. And each plays a role. So...
It’s a question that constantly comes up. “What’s a good wine to buy?” Or there are the related questions of “What wine should I drink?” or “What wine do you recommend?” These are all great questions that are well intended whether from someone who ...
Last time we addressed some general guidelines on how long wines can age, noting that rosé should be consumed immediately after bottling while still bright, fruity and fresh, most white wines are typically best within a couple of years of bottling, a...