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Easy to read related posts that will quickly increase the wine beginners basic wine knowledge.

Wine Tasting Notes | Wine Maker | Back Label |

January 28, 2013 By 1 Comment

wine tasting notes on back labelThanks for stopping by Wine Tasting Notes

The wine maker wine tasting notes consist of words and phrases used by wine maker to describe the wine on its back wine label. Remember your palate may differ from the wine maker. The wine term descriptions below are designed to be simple wine information to help wine beginners understand the wine maker notes on wine.

Sometimes a wine maker – wine tasting notes will describe a wine using similar flavors of fruits. These are natural flavors and are not added. Wine experts also use their palette’s to determine wine ratings to help the novice to determine the quality.

 

Key to Using the Wine Maker Wine Tasting Notes

Study the words and phrases. Best if you read the back label and take note of the wine maker- wine tasting notes as you taste the wine. Your goal is to learn to associate the wine maker and the wine tasting notes with what your palate is tasting. Tie the words together for future use when you buy wines.

 

Wine Maker Terms – White Wine

Acidity - Comes across as tart or sour if acid is to high in the wine. Sharpness in the mouth, felt around the front sides of the tongue. It should be neither overpowering nor absent. Too much acidity can make a wine difficult to drink. Look at the foods that are recommended in the wine tasting notes. Suggesting a seafood with butter should tell you it has some acidity to cut the oil of the butter.

Aged- White wines start out a greenish hue when young and turn to a yellowish tone to a gold then amber colour as they age. Acidity blends away as the wine components merry together with age. Wine maker may also blend other grapes in to soften wine sooner. Look for blend % in the wine tasting notes.

Astringent- Wines that have a rough, puckery taste. Usually can be attributed to high acidity content.

Balance – Wines that have balance have a nice combination of texture, acidity and flavor. Acidity is pleasant and not overpowering. The wine maker will give you hints to the balance  in the wine tasting notes.

Body – Felt by the taster’s palate and is a combination of alcohol, glycerin and sugar content. Often described as  a full taste but I like to think of it as the thickness of the wine. Wine tasting notes will suggest heavier bodied wine with seafood and white cream sauce foods.

Bouquet - Grapes have individual aromas. When all components in the wine come together we smell the bouquet. Think of the smell from an individual flower and then a bouquet of different flowers.  Also know as the nose of the wine. The wine tasting notes will normally describe the nose –do you agree?

Clean- The look, aroma and flavor of the wine are all fresh, pulsing with freshness. Desirable for the wine maker.

Cloudy – A cloudiness that is undesirable. Noticeable around the bottom of the wine in the bottle. Wine may be breaking down.

Crisp – Wine has strong but pleasing tartness and acidity. Fresh young and eager, begs to be drunk. Generally used to describe white wines in the wine tasting notes.

Deck Wine- wine that is blended to just drink not to analyze or discuss. Good beverage wine.

Delicate – Any wine demonstrating somewhat mild, but still attractive characteristics. Light in flavor. Wine tasting notes will suggest lighter cheeses or foods.

Dry – wine that does not have much sugar.  Dry normally goes along with the acidity on the tongue , when it refers to the dry, prickly sensation the wine imparts on the sides of the tongue. If you see dry in the wine tasting notes it will clean your palate.

Easy – A wine that does not need much thought, pleasant, and just tastes good. A good everyday wine by wine maker.

Finish – how the wine tastes at the point of, and right after swallowing. The aftertaste is discussed in some wine tasting notes.

Flat – Wine is thin with very low acidity, limited flavor and lacking depth. Not desirable by wine maker.

Flowery -Suggests the aroma or taste, more common in aroma, of flowers in wine.

Fresh – Wine is young and eager, begs to be drunk early in the wine tasting notes. Wines aged less than two years by wine maker.

Fruit – Used for any quality that refers to the richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. Good fruit is desirable by wine maker.

Fruitiness – usually implies a little extra sweetness nbut is discussing the fruit of the grape.

Full-bodied - Weight of the wine fills your mouth and feels heavy on the tongue.

Grassy- Freshly cut grass smell. Slightly green uncooked vegetable  tasting undertones often part of the overall character of Sauvignon Blanc. Wine tasting notes mention this a lot.

Grapefruit- Grapefruit flavours are characteristic of cool-climate Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc.

Green- Applies to the taste of wines made with under-ripe fruit. Sometimes refers to white wines that  possess a greenish color tint indicating youth.

Legs – Refer to the flowing tracks that go down the side of a glass after it has been swirled. It may be related to alcohol content. Not discussed much in the wine tasting notes

Melon - Some wines will have a slight smell of sweet melon in the wine. In some you may pick up the melon flavor in the aftertaste. Watch wine tasting notes for this description

Nose – The nose of a wine describes how a wine smells. The aroma and bouquet. This is a big part of the wine productuion for the wine maker, who likes to mention it in the wine tasting notes.

Oak- The taste or aroma of freshly sawn oak. When a white wine is aged in oak  just right, the flavor will have more of a buttery flavor.  Oak flavor is introduced from contact with new oak storage barrels made from that wood. Can be aged or even fermented in the barrel.

Peppery - Mainly applied to spicy wines, such as Gewurztraminer among the whites. Zinfandel for a red.

Refreshing - A good clean nose with fresh aroma, not musty. A nice looking wine that has a very light green or light straw color.

Residual sugar – Amount of sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Determined by the wine maker.

Rough -  Flavor or feel of the wine  gave no pleasure. Acidity is very strong and hard on tongue.

Round – Flavors and bouquet give a feeling of completeness with no dominating characteristic. Wine has been aged to get the components to merry together by the wine maker.

Soft – Low in tannin content and low in alcohol. Very little impact on the palate.

Vibrant – Pure, bright, not mixed or dull. Sometimes wine seems to come alive and pulsing with energy. Watch the light bounce off the wine.

 

Wine maker Terms – Red Wine

Aged – Reds usually possess a purple tone when young, turning to a deeper brick  red color as they age. Wines soften as the tannin merry into the wine.

Astringent- Wines that have a rough, puckery taste. Usually can be attributed to high tannin content. Wine maker can blend out.

Balanced - A harmonious balance of the wine elements. Fruit balances the oak and tannin. Wine not in balance may be flat tasting or harsh. A perfectly balanced wine has no dominating trait.

Body – Felt by the taster’s palate and is a combination of alcohol, glycerin and sugar content. Often described as  a full taste in the wine tasting notes but I like to think of it as the thickness of the wine.

Bouquet- Grapes have individual aromas. When all components in the wine come together we smell the bouquet. Think of the smell from an individual flower and then a bouquet of  different flowers.  Also know as the nose of the wine. Wine makers like to describe the nose in the wine tasting notes.

Cloudy – A cloudiness that is undesirable except in well aged wines that have not been decanted properly.

Dry - A wine produced to possess little or no sweetness. Term goes along with the effect of tannin on the sides of your mouth. Wine maker leaves some in wines that are blended to go with food to cleanse the palate. Watch for the tannin in the wine tasting notes.

Elegant - A wine that has great balance and grace in the wine. Wine is near perfect.

Flat – Wine is thin with very low tannin, limited flavor and lacking depth.

Fresh- A young and eager wine that needs to be drunk early. Will mention it should be drunk early in the wine tasting notes.

Finish - How the wine tastes at the point of, and right after swallowing. The wine should have a lingering aftertaste and discussed in wine tasting notes.

Inky Color – When it comes to red wine there are many shades of red. A inky red is very deep and complex in nature. Usually indicates a bigger wine.

Legs – Used to describe the liquid rivulets that form on the inside of a wineglass bowl after the wine is swirled. The higher the alcohol content, the more impressive the rivulets appear.  Some use legs to indicate the wine is balanced and has all the basic characteristics looked for in when making an opinion on the wine.

Oak - The taste or aroma of freshly sawn oak. When a red, is oak-ed  just right, the nose will carry a bare whiff of vanilla aroma.  Oak flavour is introduced from contact with new oak aging barrels made from that wood. Look for oaking aging in the wine tasting notes.

Peppery- A spicy flavor of  Australian Shiraz wines. A light snappy flavor of cinnamon. Zinfandel also considered spicy and peppery by many wine makers.

Robust - A red wine with high alcohol and tannin levels.  The wine considered a big wine with strength. Give extra air before drinking or use a aerator. Watch wine tasting notes for hints.

Rough – Flavor or feel of the wine  gave no pleasure. Tannin is very predominant and coarse.

Round- Flavors and bouquet give a feeling of completeness with no dominating characteristic.

Supple Tannin – very few tannins are left in the wine. Blending, opening the wine before use and aging can soften tannin.

Tannin – Found in red grape skins, pips and stalks. Tannin are harsh and bitter and can make a wine difficult to drink. Tannin leaves a dry, puckered sensation on the sides of the mouth. Tannin can enter the wine from aging in oak barrels. The winemaker can blend in softer wines to cut the tannin which makes the wine easier to drink.

Tobacco -  Describe a flavor resembling the taste of raw tobacco leaf in the finish of certain red wines. Description used in the wine tasting notes.

Vanilla -Detectable in the nose of a wine. Sometimes can be picked up in the taste of the wine from the oak barrel. Watch wine tasting notes.

 

Next go to SUCCESS STEP SEVEN:  Value Wine

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Varietal Wine | Blended Wine

January 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Types of Wines: Varietal Wine OR Blended Wine

 

Varietal Wine

Wine is usually made from one or more varieties of grapes such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Merlot. When one of these varieties is used as the predominant grape in the wine then it is called a varietal wine or wine varietals and named after that predominant grape.

Wine varietals are associated more with the New World Wines. In the US a varietal wine must be  at least 75% of that variety to be named after it. European Union is the percentage is 85% for a varietal wine.

The 15% to 25%: The rest of the wine is usually a blend of grapes the wine maker uses to soften or give character to the wine.  Example of red blended varietal wine would be 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. In the US this would be considered a varietal wine or discussed as wine varietals.

Blended Wine

Wines that have two or more  wine varieties on their label are blends and not considered wine varietals in the US.  There is no predominant grape at the 75% or 85% range.  To put it simply, it is a blend of grape juice the wine maker made from different grapes.

Blended wines are not necessarily considered inferior to wine varietals even though some people believe this to be true. Some of the world’s most expensive wines, from regions like Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley, are blended from different grape wine varieties of the same vintage.

I have tasted some excellent blends that have had nice tannin with big fruit coming through. The blend still had a complexity in the flavor similar to wine varietals but will be easier on the palette.

The Wine Maker Skills

Wine production is a some what complicated  process because it  includes the varieties of grapes used, elevation and shape of the vineyard, type and chemistry of soil, climate and seasonal conditions, and the local yeast cultures. The wine makers need to assess the wine production and use their skills every year. The range of possibilities here can result in great differences between wines, influence of the fermentation, finishing, and aging processes as well. Ever year is a new challenge. For us the wine drinker, it makes drinking wine whether varietal wine or a blended wine “fascinating”.

Salut!!!

2011 Copyright | Wine Information and Varietal Wine

Filed Under: Types of Wine, Wine Knowledge

Wine Education Classes

January 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Welcome to Our Wine Education Area

The main goal of this site and the Basic Wine Knowledge – Wine Education Classes is to increase your wine knowledge. To pass on the basics about wine to you.

Your Wine Education Classes  Online – First Set of Steps

  • Learn the differences between red wine, white wine and blush wine.
  • Learn about New World Wine and where they come from.
  • Wine 101 and the retail shop

As you read and follow the articles your wine education will start with you learning  some wine vocabulary to help you describe and understand wines. Become familiar with wine terms such as oak ageing, acidity, bouquet and body. You should emerge from this class with a better understanding of the wine language.

 

Your Wine Education Classes – Second Set of Steps

  • Start to look at New World Wines from New Zealand
  • Wine descriptions and a little about Wine Food Pairing
  • A view on purchasing wine as a novice

 

This set of steps will go over some similar and additional information as the steps above. I believe the best way to learn is by repetition.  But we will go more in depth about wine and wine grapes. Having started to train your palette, your wine education will include more information about  wine in more detail.

 

Your Wine Education Online – Third Set of Steps

  • Buying wine and reading wine labels
  • Learn to use the Wine maker tasting notes
  • Value Wine – How to find a good value
  • Wine Clubs – which is the best

 

This is where you get to start using what you have learned. You will have the confidence to go to a local wine shop or even a great online shop and buy wine.  Have enough of a wine education to  be able to pick out a nice wine that will fit your dinner and budget.
Again this site is for the person who wants to learn enough about wine to know how to buy it, taste it and enjoy it. Oh don’t worry about becoming a real wine geek.

 

Start your wine adventure by going to Basic Wine Knowledge – Wine Classes

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Learning About Wine Basics

January 26, 2013 By

showing three glasses of wine when learning about wine basics Welcome to Learning About Wine Basics for the Wine Novice

I am not going to get really technical here but just give you some wine basics to help with your learning about wine. A important fact to remember as you start your quest of learning about wine; as you drink more wine, the more you will be learning about wine and the more knowledge you will retain. It is a tough way for you to learn about wine basics but then you are here to drink wine, right?

 

Let’s Start Learning About Wine Grapes

Even wine beginners will notice that wine comes in two basic types, red wine and white wine. There is a third color known as blush or rosé. White wines are normally made from white wine grapes, as red wines are made from purple or red wine grapes. Now, here is some important wine information that most people don’t realize when they start learning wine basics. When squeezed, all wine grape juice comes out clear. The colors we see such as the beautiful reds, purples and rose come from soaking the red wine grape skins in the juice during fermentation. The longer they soak, the darker the wine will become.

 

My first wine tip: After 30 plus years of enjoying and learning about wine basics, I have found it comes down to either; you like the wine or you don’t. As you continue learning about wine basics, this is rule number one.

 

Learn About Wine Basics 101 – Like or Don’t Like.

Every bottle of wine is a unique adventure. Each and every bottle of wine made at a winery is a little  different from every other bottle, even if it is made from the same wine grape at the same time. Wine is a living thing. It is a wine maker’s opinion on how that wine should taste. He or she will take into account all the different components of the wine and make it into something they are proud of. They use their grape knowledge, their skills, their palate, the best blend of wine grapes and any other thing they have learned about wine basics. Again, every wine maker’s vineyard and palate is different. I may not like one wine maker’s wine but that doesn’t mean it is not a acceptable wine, it may just be different than what I prefer. A beautiful thing about wine is that there are plenty of good wine makers so as we learn about wine basics, we have the opportunity to find a wine that fits our palate. Drink the wines you enjoy and always be looking for new wines to try, as that is half the fun as you continue to learn about wine basics. I have found that the more you learn about a wine the more you enjoy it.

 

Learning about wine basics is a ongoing adventure that allows you to expand your palate, your wine knowledge and wine selection.

 

Components the wine maker is dealing with before he/she even ferments a wine: warmth and direction of the sun, warm or cool breezes, soil and the minerals in it, type of grape planted, vine pruning, rain and length of growing season. See wine is a living thing and all these natural components effect the life the grape and the life the wine will have.

 

Learning  About White Wine Basics

 

White wine will have more acidity that gives them a clean and fresh taste. Your tongue will taste and feel the acidity along with the sugars. Again the wine maker can influence the wine’s taste by using their palate and how much acidity or natural grape sugar is left in the wine. Some or all the sugars can be converted to alcohol in the fermenting process. If the wine maker stops the fermentation while sugars are still left in the wine, the white wine will be on the sweeter side or if the sugar is fermented out completely,  it will be a dry white wine. Many wine makers like to hit a balance some place in-between. Beverage style wines will have less acidity than a wine designed for food. As a wine novice your goal is to find a balanced taste for yourself. In general the basic white wines are lighter in body and less complex than red wines.

 

Wine Basics: White wines are enjoyed chilled (40 degrees) which make them easier to drink for wine beginners.

 

Learning About Red Wine Basics

 

Red wine will have more tannin from the grape skins, seeds and grapes stems. The tannin and color are transferred from the grape skin to the wine during the crush and fermentation. The length of time the skins are soaked in the wine will have a lot to do with the depth of color and the tannin in the wine. Tannin can be felt on sides of the mouth when you swish it around. By stopping the fermentation, a winemaker again can affect the sweetness and balance of the wine. Most red wines will be more complex, heavier bodied and drier than a white wine. The wine maker has the opportunity to use all the components of  the grapes to make the wine interesting.

 

Wine Basics: Red wine should be drunk at room temperature (63 degrees) for the wine beginner.

 

Learning About Blush Wine Basics

 

Blush wines are light pink, fruity, and on the sweeter size. Again most blush wine gets it color from soaking the red grapes skins a shorter time leaving the wine a pink or blush color. If you need a little more sweetness in your wine, a blush is the ticket. A White Zinfandel is a nice chillable deck wine on a hot summer day or as a wine for beginners to drink as you learn about wine.

 

Wine Basics: Serve at 40 degrees or colder, some like it with ice so why not!

Next go to SUCCESS STEP TWO: New World Wine

 

Copyright 2011 | Wine Information and Learning About Wine Basics
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Resveratrol and Weight Loss

December 21, 2012 By 2 Comments

resveratrol and weight lossResveratrol and Weight Loss Case Study

Research Study

Calorie restriction-like effects of 30 days of resveratrol supplementation on energy metabolism and metabolic profile in obese humans. (November 2011)
Source:
Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract:

Resveratrol is a natural compound that affects energy metabolism and mitochondrial function and serves as a calorie restriction mimetic, at least in animal models of obesity. Here, we treated 11 healthy, obese men with placebo and 150 mg/day resveratrol (resVida) in a randomized double-blind crossover study for 30 days. Resveratrol significantly reduced sleeping and resting metabolic rate. In muscle, resveratrol activated AMPK, increased SIRT1 and PGC-1α protein levels, increased citrate synthase activity without change in mitochondrial content, and improved muscle mitochondrial respiration on a fatty acid-derived substrate. In conclusion, we demonstrate that 30 days of resveratrol supplementation induces metabolic changes in obese humans, mimicking the effects of calorie restriction. Taking of resveratrol and weight loss occurred.

Should You Use Resveratrol for Weight Loss?

Researchers are cautiousness when discussing resveratrol for weight loss. They agree  preliminary research suggests that resveratrol shows promise for obesity prevention, but given the lack of clinical trials on resveratrol and weight loss, it’s too soon to recommend resveratrol as a weight loss aid. More needs to be known about the safety of long-term use of resveratrol supplements.

Researchers say following a weight-management plan that pairs healthy eating with regular exercise is the best approach to weight loss, according to the National Institutes of Health.

If you’re considering the use of resveratrol for weight loss (or to enhance healthy lifestyles), talk to your doctor before starting your supplement regime.

To buy quality resveratrol supplements check out Puritan’s Pride  BUY 1 for Get 1 for FREE price saver

Save up to 60% on Top 10 Weight Management & Lifestyle Products at Vitamin World! No Code Needed. Valid: 1.1.13 – 1.31.13 resveratrol and weight loss

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New World Wine – Simple Wine Information

May 15, 2011 By 2 Comments

New World Wine

 

New World Wine are those produced outside the traditional wine growing areas of Europe. The Learn About Wine for the Wine Novice Blog provides wine information, that is easy to understand and perfect for wine novice. You will learn about the New World wine of Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and even some from Canada.

New World Wine is being marketed to a larger general audience and many consider the New World Wine to be value wines. They sometimes are called cheap bottles of wine or wine for beginners.  The wines are not aged as much as some others but the wine makers are using the art of blending grapes to make the wines drinkable sooner. The fact is, these wines are normally great bargains (good cheap bottles of wine), perfect to use as your everyday wine and/or as starting wine for beginners. I prefer the term inexpensive or value wine to describe New World wine.

 

 

New World Wine Regions – Wine Blog Information

 

Argentina Wines

 

The New World Wine of Argentina have many growing regions but most of the wine (80%) comes from the Mendoza region in western Argentina. Production consists of 48% red, 29% rose and 23% white. Red wines produced are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Malbec and Barbera. White wine produced is Chardonnay, Torrontes, and Pinot Grigio. This New World Wine Area has a Spanish and Italian influence from its past history.

 

Wine for beginners to try are the Torrontes which makes a very fragrant almost perfumed white wine with good rich fruit, crisp acidity. This is a refreshing New World Wine for the deck and also has enough body to work well in food and wine matching.

 

Malbec winesare a strong, powerful red wine that is smooth with good fruit, spicy character and a dark inky color. My experience with Malbec is either a person likes them or not. Normally they are not that much money and are a good value so it is worth a try as a wine for beginners.

 

Australian Wines

 

Many people believe that the Australian New World Wine industry just popped on the scene the last couple decades. Wine production has been a feature of Australia for centuries, not just decades. They have developed a nice new world wine style that they can call their own. Australia has three main wine regions that offer something wonderful using the Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The wine industry there is dominated by large corporations such a s Southcorp which controls the labels Penfolds, Lindemans, Seppelt, Seaview, Wynns, Rosemount and others. The good thing is that they have knowledgeable wine people that put out a very nice bottle of value wine for the money. Try the Penfolds and Lindemans which is the perfect wine for beginners. These two wine labels are two of my favorite new world wine and work well for food and wine matching.

 

New Zealand Wine

 

The New World Wine of New Zealand has many wine growing regions. The most famous is Marlborough and it’s Sauvignon Blanc wine. In the bouquet you can pick up the aroma of grapefruit, green melon and grass. It is crisp with a medium to high level of acidity depending on producer, with a grassy, lemon, lime, herb taste. When you swallow the wine you will have a lingering grapefruit or melon aftertaste. Prices for the Sauvignon Blanc can get a little high so search for lower price Marlborough wines as they are all good new world wine. Love this wine with a seafood when wine matching.

 

Chile Wine

 

The best Chilean New World Wine comes from the Colchagua Valley. Area know for robust reds such asMerlot, Cabernet, and Syrah. Lately has been producing good Sauvignon Blanc at a lower price. Once your palate has become accustom to the taste of wine and you have gone from wine beginner to appreciator, search out some of the bigger New World Wine from Chile.

 

South Africa Wine

 

In recent years South Africa wines have begun to make an impact on the New World Wine market again. The wine style is between the New World and the Old World.

 

South African plantings have in the past been dominated by white wine varieties with a lot of Chenin Blanc being planted. But lately they have increased plantings of different varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz. A grape of their own creation called Pinotageis a cross of Pinot Noir and Hermitage. They attempted to develop a grape with the elegance of the Pinot Noir and yet the hardiness of the Hermitage. It makes a okay red but not a great as they hoped. As you learn about wine  this will be a good wine for wine beginners to explore as it is improving. I also have tasted some very good Sauvignon Blanc for under $10 so they are making progress here.

 

United States Wines

 

When people think of wines from the United States they only think of California. It does account for over 90% of the wine produced in the USA, but there are a number of other states that produce some nice wine. The most significantly has been in Oregon and Washington State, who produces some stunning wines. These areas are all considered New World Wine.

 

California red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and a little Syrah/Shiraz. The whites are predominantly Chardonnay with some Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc showing up here and there. The California wine maker is finally just not planting the most popular grapes as in they have in the past but actually are doing some homework to find out which grapes would grow the best in their area. It will be interesting to see where the California wine industry goes from here in the future. Limited quantity wines can be very expensive so the wine novice needs to experiment with more of the mass produced wines for beginners such as Fetzer and Beringer to start.

 

Oregon has been planting more Pinot Noir lately. It has been doing very well in the cooler climate and the wine makers making some very fine new world wine.

 

Washington State makes some excellent white wines such as their sweeter Riesling. Good white wine to start with for the wine beginner.  We will explore deeper into these areas at a later date.

 

Next go to SUCCESS STEP THREE:  Wine Beginners

 

 

 

Copyright 2011 Wine Information and New World Wine

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Wine Book and Suggestions for Wine Beginners

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Informational Wine Book

As author of the Wine Information – For Wine Dummies , I believe the average wine drinker just wants enough information about wine to help them find a wine they enjoy. The Wine Information – For Wine Dummies was designed for that person but a wine book is a great informational addition to your library.

As with all things, there are wine beginners that are going to get excited and want more out of their wine experience.  I have included a link to a Wine book that I highly recommend. This wine book is for a beginner but is more intense than the Wine Beginner Wine Blog. I read the wine book in about 4 hours but it will take a little more studying to retain the wine information. The wine book offers other wine information and courses. Very informative and inexpensive.

People who grew up in the wine areas, or have received some training at home or have gone to a culinary school are comfortable with the subject of wine. The average person who has little exposure to wines are often frustrated and uncomfortable talking about wine, or pairing wine with  food pairing for that special meal. People should feel comfortable enough to make wise wine selections. There are several ways a person can learn and retain more wine information.

Wine Book

There are numerous wine books on the topic of wine. However, while most are extremely professionally put together, they have a common problem – too much information. A good place to start learning and understanding more about wines is reading a well written wine book. It provides a concise overview covering all aspects of wine, from vine to the glass. A wine book needs to be  ‘easy to read’ with understandable sections which this book supplies.

Wine Blog

A informational wine blog such as WineNoviceInfo.com is a valuable resource for a person trying to learn about wine on their own. A person will also need to buy a variety of wines and analyze their characteristics. The front and back labels on each bottle typically offer a brief wine description to help a person learn the vocabulary of the wine. Try to keep a record of each type of wine tasted and the impressions it provided. Over time you will see that you have learned a lot and have developed a great appreciation for the product. If wine beginners or novice do not have a lot of money to spend on their project, I suggest you may want to invite friends to weekly or monthly wine tasting party and share the cost of the food and wine.

Wine Courses

Many times colleges or adult education institutions offer wine education courses that teach about different wines and foods. They will have experts and vintners that give seminars and tastings that will be very beneficial. If no such courses exist, a person may want to request one from a local educational facility or maybe even offer to help plan a community education event featuring wine.  Sometimes, senior centers or clubs will be happy to host such an event and are happy to have a volunteer help plan the activity.  This may seem like a lot of work but it is sure to prove educational and help introduce a person to the wine industry. Check your local wine retail shop for more wine information. Many have wine clubs available or in-house sampling on weekends.

Visit Wineries

Money no problem? A good place to start learning and understanding more about wines is to visit wineries. Sometimes, they can be a little snobbish, but these are good places to improve your knowledge and experience. Wineries often allow a person to sample some of their bottles of wine from different vintages. Wineries are eager to share information that can help a person decide what they like and desire in a variety of wines. It is good that a person tries to visit wineries in several locations or different continents to have a real knowledge base. There are often tours to different countries and locales that specifically tour wineries of that region. If there is a problem with the winery visits is the pressure they put on you to purchase wine.

In conclusion, a well written and easy to read wine blog will help a person develop their knowledge base beyond a wine beginner. My suggestion is to spend time reading and following the wine information in the Wine Beginner Wine Blog. Don’t be afraid to make comments or ask us questions. In the beginning stay focused on the New World Wine.  Another good book on Wine Tasting With Friends may be not as much fun as visiting a winery but is cheaper than going to the wine country.

 

Suggested Reading

Wine Tasting With Friends Book a lot of fun and worth the money

Wine Book gives you a little more in depth information about wine

Ed G wine list of good value wines under $10.

 

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New Zealand Wine List for Wine Beginners

April 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

New Zealand Wine is famed for Sauvignon Blanc

The New Zealand Wine Sauvignon Blanc style can be like those wineries in the southerly part of Marlborough that have that fresh cut grass aroma and melon with a lime or grape-fruity taste or the New Zealand wine that have the aroma of a green bell pepper and passion fruit flavors of the North Island wineries.

The New Zealand wine, Sauvignon Blanc is mainly cold fermented in stainless steel tanks which gives it that Marlborough zing. Some others are produced using oak which adds some complexity.

If the New Zealand wine is stainless steel fermented drink immediately, if oak was used it ages nice for 1 to 3 years.

Other New Zealand Wine produced:
New Zealand wine is not just Sauvignon Blanc but also Chardonnay,Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blended Reds, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The wines differ as much as the New Zealand wine landscape does. No two wineries taste the same because of the different climate and soil found in the New Zealand wine producing areas

New Zealand Wine Descriptions

White Wine:

Chardonnay is known to be balanced, with good concentrated citrus fruit. The New Zealand wine ares on the South Island produces lighter bodied wine with more acidity and fresh citrus flavor. The North Island  produces a full to medium bodied wine with round, rich flavors.
Gewurztramier is know for its fragrant, flowery, ginger characteristics. Little on sweet side.
Pinot Gris has notes of apple, pear with gentle acidity and marked fruitiness.
Reisling is a dry version with spice, flowers and a little bit of lime. Fruit and acid balance nicely.

Red Wine:

Merlot and Cabernet Blends. This has  the power of the Cabernet grape meeting the softness of the Merlot. Wine can be drank young but improves nicely with age. (2-5 years)

Syrah is a complex,spicy wine that is fresh and food friendly with elegant tannin.
Pinot Noir have fine firm tannins and elegance with intense berry like fruit. The New Zealand wine areas Pinot Noir are better with 2 – years age on it. If you are like me and do not have the aging time then use a wine aerator. Works wonderfully.

New Zealand Wine Food Pairing:

Chardonnay; Goes well with fish, seafood, shellfish, pasta with cream and garlic, chicken, cheese and salads.

Gewurztraminer; Pairs well with fish, seafood, shellfish, pork or ham, salad, raw vegetables, and spicy food.

Pinot Gris; Pairs well with fish, seafood, shellfish, roasted pork, pasta with cream and garlic, chicken dishes.

Dry Reisling;  Perfect for Asian cuisine, pasta, garlic, chicken, light cheeses and salad with vinaigrette.

Sauvignon Blanc; Goes well with fish, seafood and shellfish. I also like it with salads and raw vegetables.

Merlot and Cabernet Blend goes wonderfully with pungent cheeses, game birds, red meats, garlic and tomato dishes.

Syrah can stand up to a lot of food. Wild game, pasta, red meat, venison, cream, tomato and  garlic dishes.

Pinot Noir flatters the flavors of turkey with cranberry sauce. Game birds, pork and ham, cream, garlic, medium bodied cheese and tomato dishes.

For the Wine Beginner the easy way to learn more about New Zealand wine is to go to their website. www.nzwine.com and click on the “OUR STORY” button. I suggest you pour a nice glass of New Zealand wine first. Explore the site as it is very informative.

Ready to learn how to Purchase Wine from the retail shop?

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Wine Beginners School of Wine

April 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Many people I come across have a fear of being known as a “Wine Beginners“ or “Wine Novice.” Growing up, wine was never a big part of my family’s life. My parents did not have a wine education or even much wine knowledge and believe me, they never offered to send me a wine beginners school of wine. In fact, when we had wine in the house it was wine like Mogan David, or a generic California Rhine. The only time they purchased it was at holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas. Our family was truly what you would call true wine beginners. I am sure some of you can related to this story.

When I was younger I worked at a family liquor store. The store sold a lot of beer and liquor but not much wine. Any wine we sold was just a jug wine (cheap wine) which came in big bottles. I am sure most of our customers were wine beginners. But as time progressed many customers started asking for a thing called varietal wine with names such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, etc. It was embarrassing for me that I did not have any wine knowledge about this style of wines. I was determined to learn so I asked one of the wine salesmen; “ How do wine beginners get a wine education? Do they have  to go to wine beginners school of wine?” The answer he gave me was simple, or I thought. First thing, read up a little about the different grape varieties and terminology in a wine beginners book or guide. Second, look at the wines in the store. Look at the labels, start with the front but mainly the read the back label. Look for wines that have tasting notes from the wine maker on the back label. Read the wine information and tasting notes as you drink the wine. Compare your opinion as a wine beginner with the wine maker notes on the label.

Simple right? Wine Beginners Wine School 101!

He also stressed one thing - “wine is an opinion.” Each individual will taste something different in the wine because our palates are different. Our goal as wine beginners is to see if we can taste and learn what the wine maker is saying about the wine. Once you start to related the terminology with the taste wine will start to make more sense.

Wish I had a Wine Beginners School of Wine Blog

As I said, when I began, my wine education wasn’t very sophisticated. (remember the Mogan David? We were truly wine beginners) I had trouble understanding some of the terminology. (I wish I had a wine blog for wine beginners available to study way back then) The store staff along with my palate, were not very educated and we preferred the slightly sweeter wines. At that time the new world wine from New Zealand or Australia were not around much. As wine beginners, we drank different wines and learned that some wines were dry with no natural sugar left and some were sweet with sugar left in. We earned some wines were meant to be a beverage and some were meant to go with food. As eager wine beginners, we tried different wines with foods and also tried some just as a beverage. We slowly started to learn and understand some of the wine information and terminology that was being used to describe the wine. We looked up unfamiliar words in a wine information book. The staff and I still felt like a wine beginners so we continue our wine school by drinking different wines. Over time we started to learn and understand more and more about the words, how they were used and their meaning. As time past, we starting to feel we were not wine beginners anymore.

You as a Wine Beginner and the School Of Wine

As  wine beginners or a novice, you are going to have to follow the same path. You can not just read about wine, to have full wine understanding. You need to look at it, smell it and drink it. Wine enjoyment is more than learning wine information and terminology. Besides what could be easier than drinking a glass of wine even for wine beginners?

So, you have studied a little bit. You are feeling good about yourself then you walk into a local wine store, look at all the wine on the shelves and it does not take you long to display ignorance.  So many labels and so many choices, what if  I am wrong? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list designed for wine beginners that had some good producers and suggested wines?

 

My friend Ed Gandia has a great list of wines called ”Fool Proof Wine Values” He developed a list of  44 producers from around the world that make over 140 excellent wines for under $10. I love the list because no matter where you live, you will find that the majority of the wines will be available. Plus Ed shares some valuable information for wine beginners to continue your wine education past this site. It is like getting a list from the “School of Wine”

Check out this list, it is well worth the money for wine beginners – Fool Proof Wine Values

The Wine Retail Shop

Sometimes yoy will be fortunate enough to walk into a wine retail shop or wine store with a knowledgeable staff. If you are really lucky, you will find one that will not talk over your head. If you find a such a shop ask for help. Let them know what type of wine you have enjoyed before and could they suggest something similar. If you can find such a shop, your wine shopping just became easier. Remember no short cuts, you still need to read the labels and taste the wine. That is how you learn as wine beginners.

Like most wine beginners, you probably will start out with an easy to drink wine. In the beginning you need to determine your palate, do you prefer sweet or dry (no sugar) or somewhere in-between. I suggest starting with a white wine such as Riesling  or Chenin Blanc which tend to run on the sweeter side and can be chilled. Merlot or a Pinot Noir is a good mellow but still dry red to start with. I like to put a 20 minute chill to the Pinot Noir. You are actually chilling the bottle not the wine.

Web Master Summary:

As I stated before it is not easy to a find a knowledgeable wine staff that speaks English. Some will be talking over your head and using words you are not familiar with. Sadly, most store staff I have seen, have limited knowledge. If they use words such as Yuck, Yummy or Ick when describing wine, they are from the latter group. I suggest you educate yourself by studying the wine makers notes and drinking the wine. Are you going to buy wines you don’t like, yes. (they make great cooking wines if they are that bad)  Make sure you ask yourself why you don’t like it. Too much tannin, the taste of the grape or wine in general, acidity too high, etc. Did the wine maker use a word to describe that taste? Look at the Wine Makers Tasting Note blog. If you can figure out the word and remember it for the next time, your wine education just took a leap! You are starting to move away from the wine beginners title.

That is how you learn and remember it is “your opinion” so drink the wines you enjoy.

Tip: Ask your wine shop what their return policy is on wine. They should take back any wine that is bad. This includes wines you just don’t like, spoiled or not spoiled. Don’t worry about the wine shop, it will get it’s money back from the wine salesperson when they turn it in for a credit. Be careful when buying wines out of close out barrels, some will be old and bad. Ask about the store’s return policy on those wines also.

Next go to SUCCESS STEP FOUR: New Zealand Wine

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