The higher the alcohol content, the heavier it will feel in your mouth. As a general rule, a wine’s body is determined by its alcohol content. How can it have body? Fair question.īody is a term used to describe how a wine feels in your mouth. If you’ve ever tasted wine with a group, you’ve probably heard someone talk about a particular wine’s “body.” And if you’re like most people, you probably took a sip, nodded your head knowingly, and responded with an insightful “Mmhmm.” Wine is a liquid. Some wines, like some people, just have to be different. Some white wines, like oaked Chardonnay, are aged in oak barrels to achieve a specific flavor profile that wouldn’t be possible in a stainless steel container. Of course, there are notable exceptions to this rule. Bad for white wine.) To preserve the distinctive aromatics of white wine, winemakers often limit oxygen exposure by fermenting the wine in stainless steel vats. Oxygen is sugar’s natural enemy! OK, OK, it’s not that extreme, but oxygen exposure does remove much of the grapes’ natural freshness and fruitiness. Grapes contain natural sugars, and when eaten and fermented by added yeast, these sugars produce flavors that are consistent with the fruity, floral profile commonly associated with white wine-unless they’re exposed to oxygen. But since red grapes have a very different flavor profile than their white counterparts, most white wine comes from white grapes.īeyond the grapes themselves, the most noticeable production difference happens during the fermentation step. Most? Yep, since white wine is traditionally made by removing the grape skin and seeds before the fermenting step, it’s entirely possible to make white wine from red grapes (Hello, Pinot Grigio). Red wine is made with red grapes, and most white wine is made with white grapes. So if that’s all there is to it, the main difference between red and white wine must be in the grapes that are used, right? Yes-and no. Grapes are grown, harvested, pressed, fermented, bottled, and aged. While wines can be incredibly complex, the winemaking process is relatively simple. This article will help you learn more about the most popular white wines and find the one (or ones) that’s perfect for any moment. Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn more, we’ve got you covered. Or that charcuterie board you spent hours preparing. Maybe you’re trying to find the perfect pairing for grilled chicken. Do you prefer dry white wine, or is sweet white wine your top choice? Do you prefer the buttery vanilla notes imbued from a barrel-aged wine, or the clean and crisp flavors from stainless steel aging? If you already have a favorite, perhaps you want to discover a new wine or two. If you already know that you like white wine, you might be wondering which you like best. To truly enjoy the wine experience, you owe it to yourself to go deeper. The red and white distinction makes a great starting point for selecting a wine, but it’s just that-a starting point. In your internet browser, type in the name of the wine, the year, and “technical sheet” and you should get a PDF document with all of the wine’s details.When it comes to wine, many people assume that choosing a favorite simply involves picking a color: red or white. Here’s a great example of the technical sheet for Jam Jar wine. If you’re 100% determined to know what the residual sugar is in a wine, then look for the wine’s technical sheet.Ī wine’s technical sheet is an informational sheet that includes all of the nerdy wine info for the wine you’re tasting (or thinking of buying). Read the wine’s technical specifications online Look for sweetness indicators on the back of the wine label 5 Good Strategies to Pick Dry White Winesīecause a white wine can be made in a dry or off-dry style regardless of the grape, here are some good strategies to help you pick a dry white wine: These dry white wines include bottles like Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Torrontes, and Grüner Veltliner. High acid, fruity white wines can come across as sweet because of their fruit intensity. Not All Wines that Taste Sweet Have Residual Sugar
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |