Wine

1
Wine

• An Introduction
• by Joe Roberts
• cc 2008
• www.1WineDude.com

2
Agenda

• A brief history
• Some facts
• What makes wine unique
• How wine is made
• Tasting Wine
• Storing and Serving Wine
• Sources (For more information)

3
A Brief History

• Wine is older than recorded history
• Oldest wine jars date from 5400-5000 B.C. (Univ.
  of Pennsylvania)
  
• Wild grapevines were first domesticated in the
  Caucasus
  
• Traceable history begins in 1100 B.C. with the
  ancient Phoenicians and Greeks
  
• Spread grape growing and wine making into Italy
• Wine was one of the only safe beverages to
  consume
  
• Charlemagne founded wine production in Germany
• 17th Century invention of glass bottles allowed
  wine to be stored
  
• Helped establish modern production in Spain,
  Italy, and France
  
• Today, we refer to wine as from the old world
  (Western EU) and the New World (everywhere
  else!)

4
Some Facts

• What country produces the most wine?
• Italy 54,188 (Hectoliters, 000)
• What country consumes the most wine?
• Luxembourg 70.36 litres per head of
  population)
  
• What country has the most vineyards?
• Spain 1,180 (in 1,000 hectares)
• What is the most expensive bottle of wine ever
  sold?
  
• Chateau Lafite 1787 - sold at Christie's London
  in 1985 for 160,000 USD!
  

5
What Makes Wine Unique

• Wine is basically fermented grape juice
• There are hundreds of natural and synthetic grape
  varietals that can be used (blended or on their
  own) to make wine
  
• Most are blends of 3 or fewer varietals
• The combination of several factors creates small
  changes in the chemical composition of the final
  product
  
• micro-climate(s) and temperature
• harvesting and growing techniques
• Ripeness of grapes when picked
• Terroir soil, rainfall, exposure to sunlight,
  wind, etc.
  
• These changes are perceptible to us in smell and
  taste.
  
• They make wine taste like more than just grape
  juice
  
• The combinations are practically limitless and
  are enhanced in combination with foods

6
How Wine is Made

• Grapes are grown on the vine, usually grafted
  onto pest-resistant rootstocks
  
• Yields are harvested - but when to best do it
  depends on several factors
  
• rainfall, ripeness, temperature, the whim of
  the winemaker(s)!
  
• stress on the vines to find water - lower yields,
  but better grapes (quality vs. quantity!)
  
• M.O.G. (Material Other than Grapes) are usually
  removed grapes are crushed and juice (and skin
  if making red wine) are pressed into fermentation
  vessels
• Juice is pumped to holding tanks or oak barrels
  for ageing, and finally to the bottle

7
Tasting Wine

• What to look for --
• Distinct varietal character
• Does it taste like the grape and like grapes from
  the area where it was made?
  
• Integration
• Do the various components (acidity, tannins,
  alcohol) come together in a harmonious way?
  
• Expressiveness
• Are the aromas and flavors well-defined and
  clearly projected?
  
• Complexity
• Does the wine surprise you at every sip in a
  pleasant way? Can you grasp the surprises as
  part of a larger, pleasing pattern?
  
• Connectedness
• Does the flavor and aroma evoke a natural
  connection to the country and location of the
  wines origin, the style of wine, and the style
  of winemaking?

8
Tasting Wine

• In general, wine tastes follow this pattern
  (based on the climate where the grapes are
  harvested)
  

9
Tasting Wine

• Wine Food there are no hard fast rules but
  these guidelines usually work
  
• Lighter food with lighter wine, heavier meals
  with heavier wine
  
• Wine and food from the same country / region
  usually pair well
  
• Italian food Italian wine
• American wine grilled food
• Etc
• Start with lighter, drier wine and move to
  heavier wine and finally sweet wine
  
• Experiment and have fun!

10
Storing Serving Wine

• Storage
• Wine is a living thing and will generally be
  happy if you store it on its side and avoid
  
• Very dry air
• Very high or very cold temperatures
• Light and vibration
• Swift temperature changes (gradual are OK)
• Serving
• Serve white wine cold and red wine cool
• Swirl your glass to let in some air this
  oxidizes the wine and greatly enhances flavor

11
(Re) Sources

• The Wine Bible - Karen MacNeil
• Great Wine Made Simple Andrea Immer
• The World Atlas of Wine Hugh Johnson Jancis
  Robinson
  
• www.1WineDude.com
• www.WineLoversPage.com
• www.WineInstitute.org
• http//www.museum.upenn.edu/new/exhibits/online_ex
  hibits/wine/wineintro.html