Wine Facts: Words to Know When Buying White Wine
Regardless of the fact how often we encounter articles that glorify human’s fascination with white wines and the benefits we get from moderate consumption of this divine drink, once we get to the store or even better, decide to order online white wine from the comfort of our homes, little do we know about what those poetic descriptions placed on the label actually mean.
In this article, we’ll get more familiar with the most important aspects of wine terminology so the next time you go to a wine store or shop online white wine, terms will not be the reason for not getting a great wine. Here are the few wine words you need to get yourself familiar with.
Sweet/Dry
Whenever you encounter these two terms when conducting your search, bare in mind that they refer to the percentage of sugar that naturally remains after the fermentation process. Red wines are usually dry, however sweetness can be a more prominent characteristic of white wines, but it doesn’t have to indicate higher presence of sugar; the sweetness in white wines usually comes from fruits that are being added to perfect the taste.
Acidity
Acids naturally dwell in wine as ingredients and they are to be given credit for the crispness and the complex flavour of wine. It is said that “acid can make or ruin wine”, which is true for moderation is a must when it comes to acidity. Too much can make a wine taste like vinegar, too little can make it taste rather wishy-washy and bland.
Vintage
This term refers to the year when the grapes were harvested and unlike red wines, white ones should be consumed before aging. When it comes to white wines, the older they get, the less fruity they become.
Minerality
Minerality is surely a fine wine characteristic. It refers to the earthy notes a wine can posses, depending from which region it comes from, but minerals are the reason why the taste of certain wines can lingers in your mouth long after you’ve finished your last glass.
Old World/New World
There is a very clear distinction between old world and new world white wines. It simply refers to their origin and inherent style in the making. Old world wines originate from Europe, whereas, new world wines originate from anywhere else in the world. The first are lower in alcohol, more acidic and minerality can be a prominent characteristic, whereas the latter are more fruity and somewhat higher in alcohol.
By becoming familiar with wine vocabulary, you can instantly make better choices since most of us already know what we want from our promising glass of fermented grape juice.
