A glass of wine can be enjoyed for any occasion. However, it is easy to fool yourself into believing that the perfect glass of wine is far out of reach for the average person’s pocket. But you could be wrong, as appreciating a glass of wine does not require a fortune spent on it. All that’s needed is knowledge of how to enjoy a glass of wine, which will take you much further.
Understand Your Wine
The first and foremost step in appreciating a glass of Wine is understanding it. Knowing something about the wine helps in determining the quality of it. Some basic yet important facts to consider are the wine’s origin, its type, vintage, and producer. Also, knowing the various similarities, dissimilarities and contrasts between wines can help you determine what wine you like and taste. You can even make use of quality wine comparison charts available online to help you gain a deeper understanding of the various wines.
Understand the Chemistry
It may surprise you that understanding wine’s chemistry can help you appreciate it more. Wine can be considered a combination of two components – water and alcohol. Alcohol enhances the flavorful components in the grapes, while water is the backbone of a wine’s complex flavor.
Different grape varietals used in wine may also play an essential role in its flavor. Furthermore, fermentation can significantly impact a wine’s aroma and flavor. Therefore, knowing the chemical composition of wines is important in understanding how characteristics such as taste, aroma, and body are affected by the choice of grapes and fermentation method.
Taste the Complexity
The complexity of a great wine is not just the combination of its ingredients but the way those combinations are balanced. A well-crafted wine has a range of flavors and scents, each providing a unique layer of complexity. To appreciate the complexity of the wine, it is essential to pay attention to the nuances and details while tasting it.
Savor the Aroma
The aroma of a wine can tell a lot about the complexity of its taste, and the technique for appreciating aroma differs from the technique used to appreciate its taste. Before taking the first sip, swirl the wine around your glass a few times, and take a deep breath to handicap its aroma. The aromas can range from fruity to spicy, according to the type of wine. Pay close attention to the smells, and distinguish the various scents.
Analyze the Structure
The structure of a wine can be defined as the combination of acidity, body, tannins, and alcohol. We all have an inherent tendency towards one of these elements, and understanding it is essential in learning how to appreciate a glass of wine. Some people may initially enjoy a wine with mild tannins and low acidity, whereas others may prefer a strong body and totally dry. Analyzing the structure of a wine can help in deciding whether it fits one’s preferences or not.
Pair it with Food
Food can play an important role in highlighting the flavors of a good glass of wine. The first step to employing food to bring out the flavors of wine is to understand what flavors are present in the wine itself. From there, one can find a complementary dish to pair the wine with. For white wine, try a light seafood or salad. For a red, consider herbed meat or a creamy pasta dish. A perfect pairing can bring out the robust flavors of a glass of wine, further intensifying its complexity.
Enjoy the Moment
The most essential step in appreciating a glass of wine is to enjoy it without letting our outside opinions play a major role. With so much knowledge available on the internet or elsewhere, it is easy to forget to focus on the pleasure of drinking wine instead of overthinking it. Although learning the intricacies of a glass of wine is a necessary step, it should not take away from the moment of taking a sip.
The art of appreciating a glass of wine is not the privilege of the elite, but of those who invest the time to understand what all goes into making this beverage. From analyzing the chemistry to savoring the aroma, these simple steps can help everyone unravel the complexities of a glass of wine and enter an incredibly enlivened world. So take your time, relish the moment and appreciate that exclusive sip of wine.
