Wine 101
Confused about wine and all the terminology? We are here to help. Our Wine 101 section is designed to simplify wine tasting into some basic concepts that are easy to understand. Wine tasting does not have to be intimidating!
Color
The color of wine can often be a confusing and sometimes overwhelming subject. White, red, dark, light, pink, rosé – the list of adjectives can go on and on…
Smell
The bouquet of the wine is a fancy way of saying how the wine smells. The smell of a wine is often as important as how the wine tastes because smell can heavily influence the taste of a wine. If the bouquet shows aromas that are “off” or simply do not smell good, this sensation will carry over onto the palate…
Taste
Taste is a highly personal, individualistic expression. What tastes good to one person could perhaps be terrible to another. It is for this reason that wine is so enjoyable. The diversity and depth of wine creates different tastes for different groups of people…
Finish
The wine’s finish is how long the flavor lasts after it is swallowed. Did it last several seconds? Was it light-bodied (like water) or full-bodied (like the consistency of cream)? The finish brings it all together. This is where the wine will leave its lasting impression…
Grapes
Wine grapes are the key element to producing a fine bottle of wine. In most cases, the origin of wine grapes can be traced to France, considered by most wine experts to be the ancestral home to wine…
Meritage
Meritage wine represents a winemaker’s art form. Combining the “merit” of the grape and the “heritage” of the vines, Meritage is the name given to blending the Bordeaux varietals together to achieve a complex and balanced wine…
Glassware
Choosing the right glass enhances the enjoyment of your wine experience. Wine glasses can be tailored to fit individual varietals or can be produced in a one-size-fits-all shape. Having correct stemware should not be overlooked…
Decanting
Decanting a fine bottle of wine can add a layer of romance and enjoyment to any wine experience. It also serves a very useful purpose. Decanting adds air to young wines and opens up layers of flavor and complexity…