Wine is more than a drink. It hides stories from the past, tells them in the present and transmits them for the future. In fact, for many people it has become a passion and a hobby. A lot can be said about wine …
In ancient times, only the gods had the privilege of drinking wine. This mystical drink is part of many sacred rituals and traditions. In Christianity, wine bears the symbol of Christ’s blood.
The place of wine nowadays becomes more than a favorite drink for any occasion. It is a passion, euphoria and emotion that is found with every drink. Discovering the valuable qualities of the mystical drink goes through several main stages. Once you learn a little more about how to taste wine, you will understand the individuality of your taste when choosing.
Nature and qualities of wine
The first step to wine tasting is to judge its color. The cup should have about 100ml. wine and when tilted, the wine takes the form of a “tongue” on top, which determines its color and saturation. As the glass rotates and the liquid flows down its sides, the fine red wine forms the shapes of cathedral windows. The next step in the qualification is the aroma of the wine. From the edge of the cup we inhale several times in order to strengthen the feeling and recognize the aromas of fruits, flowers or herbs. Different wines offer different aromas. You may smell grass, chocolate, smoke or even coffee. The final step is to take a sip of wine. To reveal the accents when drinking, with slightly open lips, allow the wine to cover the palate. Thus, the wine receives the required amount of air and will respond with an explosion of flavors.
Combining wine and food
An important part is the selection of the type of food and the choice of wine to it. There is the following pattern: light foods combine well with light wines, and heavy foods combine well with heavy wines. The first and main division of wines are: white, rosé, red, sparkling and dessert wines.
White wines are a favorite drink for hot summer days and parties. Their individuality is multifaceted from gentle and delicate notes with light straw shades to aggressive and grabbing minerals and grasses colored in intense yellow tones. These wines complete the bouquet of sea flavors, ethereal meats and light mousses. Emblematic representatives of this category are varieties such as:
Chardonnay – Rich white wine with complex flavors. You may even find it a little creamy.
Pinot Grigio – This wine is light and fresh. It is citrus and herbaceous.
Sauvignon Blanc – White wine with a refreshing nature. Quite flexible and enjoyable with almost any food.
Rose – a recent pink trend ranging from Provence (pink Easter) to notes in the color of berries surprises its fans with the lightness and elegance of white wine complemented by the character and body of red wine. Rosette is a wine with its own character, looking for a suitable company in soft cheeses and nuts, as well as in meats with creamy sauces and delicate spices.
Rose – Rosette is a rose-colored wine that can be dry but refreshing.
Red wines abound in a palette of colors. Touching them will reveal the warmth, depth and sensuality of characteristic purple, amber and wood tones revealed in different varieties. The classic combination of red wine is with juicy red meats, game and mature cheeses. Unconventional combinations of red wine with dark spicy chocolate to variations with citrus and rooibos creep in. Varieties proudly representing the category of red wine are:
Cabernet Sauvignon – Red wine with a dark heavy texture. Developing berries and in the reserves and dark chocolate.
Merlot – This dark fruit wine, soft and accompanying. It is among the most popular red wines on every menu.
Pinot Noir – This silky red wine is light on the body, which makes it a great wine that you can enjoy with a light lunch.
Champagne and a variety of sparkling wines with its characteristic playful nature, tickle and pour over the palate of his fans. Delicate and glamorous colors of natural pearls and mother-of-pearl are common. They are usually used for festive occasions, they are also a perfect aperitif and a suitable drink for the beginning and end of an exquisite dinner from seafood to sweet sophisticated adventures.
Dessert wines characterized by rich colors, aromas and flavors approaching the fullness and heavy character of expensive perfume, are the culmination of a multi-level gourmet menu. They are often served as a digestif and are the only wines served with crushed ice.
Breaking the rules is inevitable and even allowed. The combination of foods does not come down to exact science, and you may find that certain variations go very well with others that are not even mentioned here.
After all, the wine you like to drink is up to you. Maybe you like the taste of wine when you break the rules and combine sauvignon blanc with a salty dish. It’s entirely up to you. Your personal preferences are what really matter when choosing the perfect wine for your event, meal or gift.
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