The Characteristics of a Great Wine

Whether you are a seasoned wine lover or a novice, you’ve likely wondered about the wine process and what it is exactly that sets each bottle apart.

Wine is obviously a broad term used to describe an alcoholic drink of distilled, fermented grapes, right? Yes, some wines are made from grapes, but it certainly doesn’t stop there. Wine can also be created from rice (sake), barley, fruits such as cherries and grapefruit, and even honey (mead)! For
the sake of popularity, though, we’ll continue discussing wine that’s been produced from grapes.

The subtle differences in each wine process isn’t usually a deciding factor in which wine you ultimately choose; taste is. Yet there are those who are very passionate about wine, and for these individuals, everything is analyzed.

A true connoisseur will pay a lot of attention to the vinification process. Vinification is the fermentation process, and also what gives a wine its value in the end. Contrary to popular belief, red grapes don’t necessarily create red wines, nor do green or white grapes create white wines. Unless the grapes have been fermented with the skins on, each produce an almost clear liquid. Red wines have been fermented with their skins on, while white wines have the skins left off.

If it’s Champagne or Sparkling Wine that you enjoy, you may be curious about its carbonation process. First the juice is allowed to ferment in the open, letting the carbon dioxide escape. The second round, however, has the juice fermenting in a closed container, thus trapping the carbon dioxide within the wine.

Once the fermentation process is complete, you are then able to describe the wine's taste as dry, fruity, etc. depending on the amount of sugar that has remained. Again, some people get really fancy here and choose to include aromas when they’re describing taste, but you get the point.

Region, age and storing techniques each play their own part as well, but there you have it: a basic rundown of the characteristics of a great wine.

WINE PLACE NIAGARA FALLS

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