Monday, July 19, 2010

Wine Week


Based on my observations, one of the best ways to ensure an interesting week is to make a declaration of some sort.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re declaring war, independence or lunchtime…there are certain terms that just plain demand to be listened to.  So hear ye, hear ye: I declare from now until Friday “Wine Week”.  Here are a few terms that will sharpen your basic wine IQ and prepare you for the week ahead.  It’s gonna be a good one!

Acid: An aspect of taste in a wine. Sometimes described as sour or tart. The taste buds that detect acid are on the sides of the tongue. The acidity of a wine is an important component that should be in proper balance. Proper acidity provides crispness and life to the wine.

Balance: Harmony or "being in tune" among the various components of wine, fruit, tannins, alcohol and acidity.

Body: The texture and weight of a wine. The more substantial and flavorful a wine tastes, the more body it has.

Bouquet: The array of aromas in a wine. Also known as "the nose".

Complex: In wine-speak, this is a positive term, referring to lots of different flavor and aroma components in a wine.
Dry/Off Dry: Little or no sugar = "dry", slightly sweeter = "off dry".

Vintage
Vintage is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product. A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year.

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