3:17 AM

2008 - Pinot Grigio

Today's Pinot Grigio Article

A Quick Guide to White Wines

The color and characteristic of a wine is derived from the grapes used. In this article, we take a quick look at white wines commonly enjoyed by wine enthusiasts.

A Quick Guide to White Wines

When discussing white or red wines, it is always important to remember that much of the discussion falls into a bit of a fuzzy area. Why? Well, white wines are rarely white for the first thing. Second, many a winery actually mixes wines of all varieties together to produce a desired flavor and aroma. Thus, the "white" wine you are drinking may not be entirely white. Having said that, there is little reason to avoid discussing what are traditionally known as white wines.

The dominant grape in the white wines is undisputedly the Chardonnay. It is a rare day you can find any wine drinker who has not sipped more than a few Chardonnay whites. The wine is incredibly popular for a number of reasons. First, there is a lot of it because the vine can be grown practically anywhere and is! Second, the wine is known for an "oak" flavor, which is extremely popular with wine drinkers. Third, the wine is very flexible and can be produced with a wide variety of fruit aromas and flavors. Chardonnay white wines traditionally have been very dry and full bodied. With the wide range of wineries producing vintages, however, a wide variety of flavors and bodies are on the market.

Sauvignon Blanc should either be next or dead last on our list of whites. This is a take it or leave it grape. The taste is sharp and dry. This is a not a wine where you will find fruity mixes and such. It is a classic, traditional white that people either love or hate. Personally, I love it and it goes number two since I am writing this article!

Riesling white wines are next on our list. This is a German wine that is excellent if you buy from a German winery. You can find French and American wineries producing it, but it simply isn't the same. This is a light wine often described as "refreshing" although I must admit I have never understood that term. The Riesling whites take a beating by wine gurus, but you can find this dry, light white to be just the trick. It is markedly different than the Chardonnay, so give it a try.

There are a variety of other white grapes that are used to produce interesting vintages, but we are going to skip them to discuss a less-known grape that is up and coming. The Viognier grape is found in the Rhone Valley in France and is used to produce a flavorful, dry white that is excellent. It is typically a medium body wine with low acidity and often has a fruity aroma to it. It is a personal favorite that I suggest you try.

When it comes to white wines, there is no disputing Chardonnay is the king of the vine. Still, you should make an effort to move beyond the king to discover the interesting other vintages available.

About the Author

Xavier Moldini is with WineriesforYou.com - a directory of wineries.

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A Quick Guide to White Wines

The color and characteristic of a wine is derived from the grapes used. In this article, we take a quick look at white wines commonly enjoyed by wine ...

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4:48 PM

All's well, that ends well. We have now come to the ending of Wine Facts . Until we meet again, adios.

A Wine Facts Artilce for Your Viewing

Wine Tasting for the Average Joe

Going to a wine tasting can be a very fun and enjoyable experience.
However, many people do not attend for fear of not knowing exactly how to act or
what to do. There no great mystery to wine tastings, just a few things you
should remember.

As far as etiquette, usually the ladies are served before the
gentlemen. Some wine tastings offer you bottled water. Use this to
rinse out your mouth between tastings so your palate is clean for the next
wine. There is often unsalted and unflavored crackers and bread to help
palate cleansing as well. You should always handle the wine glass by the
stem. This helps avoid heating the wine with the warmth of your hands,
thus altering the taste. Avoid wearing strong perfumes and colognes to a
wine tasting. That may take away from not only your smell, but also that
of the other guests. Also, avoid smoking, gum, and mints before and during
a wine tasting to be able to enjoy the full flavor of the wine.

You can tell a lot about a wine just by looking at its color. When you
attend a wine tasting, the glasses should always be clear so you can get a good
look at the wine. The tables may also be covered with white tablecloths to
help you see the wine's color clearly. Do not let the wine name full
you. For example, white wines are not white in color. They may range
from yellow to green to brown. Red wines range in color from pale red to a
deep brownish red and often become lighter with age. Sometimes the color
of a wine may indicate age or flavor. You may be able to tell the age of a
red wine by doing a rim test. Tilt the glass slightly towards the rim of
the wine glass and look at the wine. If the color of the red wine is more
of a purple, it is usually a younger wine. If the color of the red wine is
brown, it is an older wine.

Another thing you may have seen people do before they taste wine is swirl it
slightly in the glass. This is to help open up the wine's flavor.
Remember that the wine may have been in a bottle anywhere from six months to
many, many years. When someone swirls a wine, it helps release the
flavors. Just like when you're cooking at home and stir the food to help
blend the flavors.

The color of the wine is just one aspect you will want to look at when you
attend a wine tasting. You will also want to smell the wine. After
swirling, this is the next step in the tasting process. You have probably
seen people smell wine before and wondered why they did it. Smell plays a
very important part in what we taste. Researchers have determined that
perhaps as much as 75% of what we taste is actually based on what we smell
first. You can smell your wine one of two ways: taking a small whiff
to get an idea of how the wine smells, then a deeper whiff or take one deep
whiff. After smelling the wine, take a minute to think about the
smell. You do not want to immediately taste it after smelling but
give yourself time to explore exactly what you smelled.

Finally, you will need to know is how to taste the wine properly. Your
tongue has taste buds in both the front and back. These taste buds can
detect bitter, salty, sweet, and sour flavors, but some are more sensitive than
others are. There are three steps in tasting a wine: the first
impression, the taste, and the aftertaste. The first impression happens
when you take your first drink and the wine actually hits your taste buds.
It should awaken your sense to the wine. After taking the first drink, you
should swish the wine around your mouth for a few seconds to let all your taste
buds discover the full flavor of the wine. Think about what the wine
tastes like. Is it light or heavy? Is the smooth or harsh? The
aftertaste is the sensation that remains in your mouth after swallowing the
wine. How long did it last and was it pleasant?

Before attending a wine tasting, it may help you feel more confident to read
about the different types of wines. This will give you a better idea of
what to look for as far as flavor and taste. Next time you are invited to
a wine tasting; do not be afraid to go. You may be missing a great
experience!

About the Author

Jason Connors is a successful writer and wine connoisseur providing valuable tips and advice on wine cellar design, wine making, and wine basics. http://www.about-wine.net

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