Photo credit Elisha Braithwaite
We often have clients, friends, and neighbors ask us for an introduction to wine.
Some of them are new to drinking and are curious about what they’ve been missing. Others may be experienced drinkers, but wine has never been their thing. Sometimes they want to branch out and try different varieties or experiment with food pairings. For one reason or another, they’re looking for someone to guide them through the wide, wild world of wine.
Look, we get it. The topic of wine is vast and as old as human history! For at least 6,000 years, people have been inventing, experimenting, and refining wines, so there is a lot to learn. New vineyards, labels, and blends are popping up all the time. It’s hard to know where to begin!
So begin here.
The Good Girl’s Guide: An Introduction to Wine will set you on your way in your exciting adventure into the world of wines.
Photo credit Sparkle Photography
WINE BASICS
Where does wine come from?
Alcohol can be made from the sugars in any number of different foods (apples, potatoes, sugar cane, figs, etc.), but wine is specifically made from grapes.
The process of winemaking involves growing and harvesting particular types of grapes, then crushing them to release their juices. To make white wines, the skins of the grapes are removed, whereas red wines are made with skins still in the juice. A specific type of yeast is then added which digests the grapes’ natural sugars and converts them into alcohol in a process called fermentation. The wine is then allowed to age in barrels (often made of oak) or tanks to further develop the flavors. Finally, after the desired amount of aging time, the wine is bottled. Champagne and other types of sparkling wine undergo additional steps that give them their characteristic bubbles and fizz.
Simple enough, right? But here’s where it gets interesting.
What is terroir?
Let’s talk about a little concept called terroir (pronounced tehr-WAAR).
The terroir of a wine refers to all the environmental factors involved in its creation, from the soil and rainfall in the vineyard to the elevation, sunlight, temperature, and more. Every aspect of a wine’s terroir can affect the final product, which is why a highly trained wine enthusiast can distinguish not only the vineyard where a glass of wine originated but also what year it was made. Of course, most of us don’t need to know all that. What we care about is which, of all the infinite terroirs out there, will give us the wines that we will come to love?
What are the different kinds of wine?
In general, there are five categories of wine. Bear in mind that within each of these categories, there is such a wide range of individual wines that you’re likely to find something you’ll enjoy.
Red Wine – Because red wines are fermented with their skins and seeds still present, they tend to taste richer, more full-bodied, and more complex than other wines. For some beginning wine tasters, the complexity and dryness of many reds may be too much. For others, the interesting layers and interplay of different flavors may make reds their favorites.
White Wine – Made from green or yellow grapes and fermented after the skins have been removed, white wines generally taste lighter and fruitier than reds. Tart and refreshing, with a higher acidity, whites are more palatable for many new drinkers.
Rosé – A rosé (pronounced rose-AY) typically falls somewhere between a red and white in color but is similar to a white in flavor profile. Many rosés have fruity flavors like raspberry, strawberry, cherry, or citrus.
Sparkling Wine – Sparkling wines (which include Champagne as well as prosecco, cava, and many other types of bubbly) are often used for celebrations and toasts. Their carbon dioxide gives them a lively mouthfeel similar to soda. High acidity gives them a crisp, refreshing taste, but like all categories of wine, they can vary widely in taste, dryness, body, and other aspects (all of which will be explained below).
Dessert & Fortified Wine – As their name implies, dessert wines are typically the sweetest of the wines and are usually enjoyed with a dessert. Fortified wines are wine that has had a spirit, like brandy, added to it. Fortified wines have a higher alcohol content and can be enjoyed either with dessert or as an apéritif.
Photo credit Claire Marika
How To Taste Wine
One of the aspects of wine culture that we love is that it teaches us to slow down and appreciate what we’re consuming.
American fast-food culture has trained us all to wolf down our food before rushing on to our next task. But many cultures pay much more time and attention to enjoying food. A bottle of wine has often been in the making for years or decades; it would be a shame to down it thoughtlessly.
When you’re getting to know a new wine, it’s helpful to keep these Five S’s in mind.
See: Hold the glass up to the light and notice the color and clarity.
Swirl: Swirling the wine in the glass releases aromas by aerating the wine.
Smell: Let your olfactory sense get involved by holding the wine to your nose. Does it have fruity, floral, spicey, or earthy notes? With practice, you’ll notice more of what different wines offer.
Sip: Take a small taste and move it around your mouth. Notice its sweetness, acidity, tannins, and body.
Savor: After you swallow, pause to notice the aftertaste (finish).
How to Talk About Wine
Before we dive into looking for the right wine for you, let’s go over some terms that will help you understand and talk about wine.
Acidity – A wine that’s high in acidity has a crisp, tart, fresh quality that makes your mouth water. Wines with high acidity include some whites like rieslings, sauvignon blancs, or chardonnays, as well as some reds like pinot noir or schioppettino.
Aftertaste: The taste that lingers in your mouth after swallowing wine is called the aftertaste or the finish. Aftertaste is generally described as short, medium, or long.
Body: The body of a wine refers to its weight and texture in your mouth. A wine’s body is generally either light, medium, or full-bodied.
Balance: Balance refers to a wine’s harmony between sweetness and acidity. A well-balanced wine may be described as velvety, silky, or smooth.
Mouthfeel: The overall physical sensation of wine in your mouth is the mouthfeel. Mouthfeel is a broad term that includes body, balance, texture, and aftertaste (finish).
Nose: The aroma of a wine is referred to as its nose (also called the “bouquet” for aged wines). The way a wine smells is an important aspect of the tasting experience.
Palate: A wine’s “palate” is every aspect of the wine that affects your palate (i.e. your tongue, taste buds, and olfactory sense). So the combination of how a wine tastes, smells, and feels in the mouth is the wine’s palate.
Sweetness: The amount of sugar remaining in a wine determines its sweetness. Sweetness ranges from dry (not sweet) to off-dry (slightly sweet) to fully sweet.
Tannins: Tannins are natural compounds that come from the grape skins, seeds, and stems as well as from oak barrels. High tannin content gives the wine a slightly bitter, astringent flavor and a dry, gritty mouthfeel. Red wines tend to be high in tannins.
Texture: Texture is an element of mouthfeel that refers to whether a wine feels prickly, ropy, or smooth.
How to Approach Wine
If you want to have an enjoyable experience trying a new wine, here are our suggestions:
1. Start with What’s Easy to Love
Like cheese, coffee, beer, dark chocolate, and many other foods and beverages, wine is often an acquired taste. There’s nothing wrong with easing into the world of wine. For most wine newcomers, a smooth and approachable wine will make your first experiences more enjoyable. Look for:
Whites: Riesling, moscato, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc are generally light, fruity, and slightly sweet. A Chablis is also a great choice because it is light and smooth, not oaky like its younger brother, a chardonnay. For beginners, our Bar and Beverages Service Director Bojan recommends a sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. “It’s the fruitiest, has low alcohol content, and pairs very well with appetizers, cheeseboards, and salads.” If you opt for a pinot grigio, Bojan says, ‘The best varieties are grown in Italy.”
Reds: Pinot noir, Beaujolais, merlot, or red zinfandel are soft, light-bodied, and not too tannic.
Rosé: An off-dry rosé is a great in-between option, not too sweet and not overpowering.
Sparkling: Prosecco or lambrusco are safe bets. You may have already tried prosecco in a mimosa, bellini, or Aperol spritz.
2. Choose a Relaxed Setting
Wine Bar or Tasting Room: A comfortable, unrushed setting with helpful, knowledgeable wine experts is ideal. The newly renovated Tasting Room in downtown Salt Lake City is the perfect place to learn about wine and find one you love. Utah Women and Wine holds a monthly event at the Tasting Room, so look them up and come to an event! Or just drop by on your own and let their expert staff help you have a great introduction to wines.
At Home: If you already know a wine or two you want to sample, pick up a bottle, grab a friend, and try it in your own cozy space.
3. Pair It with Food
In Utah, if you drink alcohol in a restaurant or bar, you have to have food at the same time. That isn’t only the law; it’s smart practice. Food will greatly reduce the risk of intoxication or hangovers, and a well-paired wine with your meal will increase your enjoyment of both the food and the wine. Don’t be shy to ask for specific wine pairings, or follow this general guideline:
White wine → cheese, chicken, seafood, creamy dishes or light salads.
Red wine → pasta, steak, grilled meats, or chocolate.
Rosé → salads, light pastas, brunch foods.
4. Go Slow & Trust Your Taste
Use the five S’s described above (see, swirl, smell, sip, and savor) to fully enjoy your wine. The experience of a good wine changes minute by minute as it’s exposed to air, temperature changes, and interactions with your food. Pay attention, and don’t be in a rush.
Don’t stress about “right” and “wrong” tastes—just find what you enjoy. Other people may have their own opinions about wines, and it may be worth hearing their input, but their palates are not yours.
Drink plenty of water, not only to cleanse your palate and enhance the taste but also to stay hydrated. You’ll have a better experience if you don’t have a headache the next day
Photo credit Branson Maxwell
5. Have Fun
Try different wines to discover what you like, and don’t be afraid of experimenting! Ordering a wine flight is a fantastic way to taste and compare several different wines in one sitting.
Visit a winery for a guided tasting experience. Old Town Cellars in Park City offers private tastings.
Join a wine-tasting class or club if you enjoy it and want to learn more.
Build your palate over time. As with many great foods and beverages, from cheese to cocktails to caviar, it takes time to learn to fully appreciate wines. That’s okay! There’s no wrong way to enjoy wine so long as you’re staying safe and having fun.
How much should I drink?
One glass (or one flight of smaller portions) is probably enough to experience the pleasant buzz and warm feelings of wine without any of the negative effects of overdrinking. In Utah, a standard pour of wine is 5 ounces. If you’re a newcomer to alcohol, you may be affected by wine more strongly than a more experienced drinker would be.
Bear in mind that Utah has the strictest DUI law of any state in the US, but if you follow the guidelines above (having food with your drink, taking your time, and drinking plenty of water), you should be well under Utah’s 0.05% BAC (blood alcohol content) within an hour after your drink.
Also, be aware that Utah’s 0.05% BAC limit applies to riding bikes as well as driving cars. If you haven’t finished your drink and want to take it home, remember that it’s illegal to have any open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Keep your eye on this space for more suggestions on The Good Girls’ Guide to all things alcohol!