HomeLet's face it; having a knowledge of fine wine has always portrayed someone to be in a certain social class. It goes without saying that people are impressed by someone that "knows their wine."
Ok so let's say that you really don't care that much about wine but you really would like to be able to hold your own if the topic came up at a business or social gathering.
Here is your wine crash course.
Wine has its own subculture. As with any subculture therein lives a language with terms that one must become familiar with.
Here are a few:
Nice Legs. This refers to the rivulets of wine that run down the inside of the glass after it has been swirled. Legs have nothing to do with the quality of the wine.
Varietal Character. If a wine is said to possess a distinct Varietal Character this is a good thing. It means that the quality of the grapes is being expressed through the smell and taste.
Expressiveness. This is the quality a wine possesses when its flavors and aromas are well defined.
Complexity. This is almost a mythological characteristic of wine that pulls one into the wine and inductees you to return for another taste and smell.
Corked. This termed for wines that smell like a wet dog or a musty basement. This happens when certain bacteria contaminates the wines cork and infiltrates the wine. This can happen to any wine regardless of its quality.
Finish. This the impression the wine leaves in your mouth after you swallow.
What a wine dry or sweet?
A sweet wine or also called fruity is a wine that contains a higher amount of sugar 3% or higher. Makes sense right? A dry wine this is where most of the grapes sugar has been converted to alcohol leaving only a small percentage of sugar content.
If a waiter brings you a wine to taste follow these instructions you will surely impress the other guest with your knowledge of fine wine. (I'll never tell)
About the Author
What you need to know about wine to hold your own in any social setting. Get these easy to use tips free at... Wine Guide for Beer Drinkers