How Wine Works – The Goods on the Grape

We all know how wine works, don’t we? We certainly know how it works when we have too much of it. But its social ramifications are significant, too. And so is its commercial side. There are many aspects to the wine industry – too many for us to cover them all here. So we’ll skip the more technical side – the actual winemaking process, with its fermentation techniques, its additives, its carboys, its hydrometers, its racking, its bottling – the whole shebang. We like to keep things simple here, so suffice it to say that all that type of information is readily available on the Internet, or at your local winemaker’s supply store. So now to the simple story of how wine works.

Where does your wine come from?

So you’re sitting down, relaxing, contemplating the clarity and character of the Chardonnay in your crystal stemware. Your partner is slowly swirling a glass of Pinot Noir, delighting in the aroma and flavor of strawberries and raspberries. This is one of those moments for light thoughts – nothing too deep or meaningful. But despite your efforts to stay out of the line of analysis, you can’t help wondering how that wine got from the vineyard to your wine glass. But since this is a time for leisure, you pass off the thought and return your attention to more important things – like your partner.

These are the moments in life that most of us take for granted – at least, we take the wine we’re drinking for granted. Those quick fleeting thoughts about where wine comes from are just idle questions, not really expecting an answer. But now you’re here, why not take a little time to understand the basics of wine and how wine works. Then, next time you have that fleeting thought, it’ll pass quickly, leaving a subtle smile on your face because you actually do know where that wine comes from, and how it got to you.

Wine is one of the few things in our lives that’s common to most countries. The language of wine is one of the few universal languages. You can travel anywhere in the world and ask for wine, and they’ll always know what you’re talking about. How is it that a simple beverage can be so universal? The answer to that is, there are people in every country who appreciate fine wines. So if you’re wondering where wine comes from, the answer is – pretty well anywhere you choose.

Wine – an international flavor

Name a major country anywhere in the world. Chances are, they make a wine distinctive to their country, or maybe even just to a particular region. Probably the most well-known wine-producing region in the world is Bordeaux, a district in France that covers 284,320 acres of vineyards. There are 13,000 wine growers in the region, all making their own special wines and blends. Bordeaux is most famous for their rich reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. But they also produce some very good whites, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

The reason the Bordeaux region produces such fine wines is that it has all the factors necessary for growing quality grapes. To create a productive vineyard, you need an ideal climate, including humidity and wind direction, and correct soil type and drainage. Many of the world’s best vineyards are located along the banks of rivers. That’s because, historically, riverbeds carry the richest soil, and Bordeaux has a couple of those rich rivers running through it.

Next to France, Germany is probably the best producer of superior wines – especially their world-famous Rieslings. As we mentioned earlier, river banks are good for vineyards, and many of Germany’s wine-producing areas are situated along the Rhone River. The heat wave of 2003 was especially good for the industry – the grapevines were bulging, and the quality of the wine was second-to-none.

Italy is another country famous for their fine wines. The country is divided into 20 regions, each regions with their own vineyards. Perhaps the most famous wine from Italy is Chianti. You may have seen it – the one in the straw-covered bottle – from the Tuscany region. Barolo and Valpolicella are other popular Italian red wines, while the Italian white of choice is Soave.

Following these three major wine producers in Europe, with great wines of their own, are Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece, Austria and Switzerland. Each country has their own specialty, attracting the attention of wine connoisseurs around the world.

And let’s not forget the United States, with their own world-famous selection of award-winning wines. California is the leader in the U.S., producing 90% of the country’s wines. The University of California’s Davis branch has its own vinicultural research program, keeping the state on the leading edge of the wine industry. There are 12 wine-growing regions in California, with the Napa Valley heading the list. Other significant areas where you can find vineyards and wineries are Ohio, New York and the Pacific Northwest.

Anywhere you travel in the world, you can find a place to sit and relax with your favorite wine. You can go to South Africa for one of 8018 fine wines made by one of its 573 wine producers. Or you can visit Australia’s world-famous Hunter Valley for their very popular Shiraz. And South America has made many contributions to the wine industry, with countries like Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil producing their unique fine wines. And probably the most popular wines from that continent are from Chile. If you look at a list of countries around the world, you won’t find many that don’t have their own wine that they export around the world.

Would you like a wine list?

Aren’t those magical words when you settle yourself down in a restaurant, and the somellier asks you if you’d like to see the wine list? Ah yes, the international decision. Which wine will you have tonight? And if you have a favorite country, which of their particular wines will you choose tonight? To make an informative choice, you’ll need to know the three categories of wine: table wine, fortified wine, and sparkling wine.

Table wine, which is sometimes referred to as still wine, comes in white (which isn’t actually white, but somewhere between yellow and golden), red, or rose (or rosé). You can order one that suits your taste, whether you like sweet or dry. And you’ll know that the alcohol content will be 14% or less (it’s the law). Most of the wines produced in the world today are table wines.

Fortified wines are just what they sound like – fortified. That is, the winemakers add extra alcohol, like brandy, which raises its alcohol content to anywhere from 14% to 23%. You can get fortified wines in white, amber and either bright or dark red.

A good example of a fortified wine is sherry. You can enjoy a sweet sherry or, if you like, a very dry sherry. Many people use sherry as a flavor-enhancer in cooking, especially the Chinese. Another well-known sherry is vermouth, which has herbs added to it and, along with straight vodka, makes a wicked martini. But if you want something a little lighter before dinner, maybe you’d like an aperitif, which is made by adding quinine to some of the heavier, sweeter wines. Dubonnet is a fine example of an aperitif.

The third type of wine is sparkling wine. When we think of sparkling wine, we usually think of Champagne – the old bubbly. Champagne is named after the French region where it’s produced. One of the most famous – and one of the most expensive Champagnes, was named after the monk that first made it in the 18th century. You guessed it – Dom Pierre Perignon. Italy makes a famous sparkling wine, too – Asti Spumante. Most sparkling wines are white, but they’re also available in red or rosé.

Blends seem to be the rage today, with wine being combined with fruit juices and other such flavors, to make wine coolers. They’re usually carbonated, too – almost like drinking soda pop. And if you add water, sugar and citrus fruit to red or white wine, you’ll come up with Spain’s famous blend, Sangria. A very popular drink in winter is mulled wine, which is made by adding sugar, water, cinnamon and cloves to red or white wine.

So you can see that winemaking has become a thriving industry throughout the world. Technology is creating many advancements in the winemaking process. The result – better and better wines. And we wine connoisseurs can only benefit, right? And with the progress of the wine industry, technology has also branched out into the accessory market.

Wine accessories have their own industry

There are so many wine accessories these days. The success of the wine industry has provided a need for simpler methods associated with wine drinking. The most important need for the wine industry was, of course, how to get the cork out of the bottle so we can enjoy those fine flavors. The invention of the corkscrew was indeed a welcome one. And technology has had a hand in that, too. The latest cork screws available today, rabbit corkscrews, almost open the bottle for you. They’re equipped with foil cutters and automatic cork releases.

Another interesting progression of the wine accessory market is the replacement of the cork. With the shortage of the cork-oak tree, corks are now being made with plastic or rubber. They’re even working on making a glass stopper for wine bottles – no more fighting with corks.

And here’s a great invention – glass wine charms and wine glass tags. You put them around the stem of your wine glass so you’ll know that it’s your glass, and not someone else’s. Cool idea. And speaking of wine glasses, do you know how many different kinds of wine glasses you can get? There are literally hundreds of varieties. You can enjoy your wine from some of the world’s finest crystal stemware, or any other kind of great wine glasses.

And to hold your favorite bottles of wine, you can use either a wine rack, available in many different sizes and shapes, or a wine cellar, which is basically a fridge that keeps wine at the correct temperature for serving. And what about impressing your guests by serving your fine wines from one of the varied styles of wine decanters. And add a liquor decanter to go along with it – a lovely set.

Wine is a very popular gift

If you want to take something with you when you’re invited for dinner at your friend’s house, select a fine wine. Wine is becoming one of the most popular gifts these days – for many occasions. Baskets make the best wine gifts. You can put together some specialty foods with some matching wines for a wonderful wine gift basket. And there are literally hundreds of choices to fill your basket.

And now, with the popularity of online shopping, the wine industry has jumped on the wagon. You can buy almost any wine you can thin of, from almost any country in the world, on the Internet. When you buy wine online, you save yourself a lot of time and hassle. So if you’re busy, but you still have to make those important wine purchases, online wine is the way to go. Get it delivered to your door – and worry no more.

And you needn’t worry about wine knowledge anymore, either. We’ve taught you the basics. We’ve told you what’s available, and where it comes from. So all that’s left for you to do is to get online, and order one of the wonderful wines available from the country of your choice. Then sit back, and raise your glass to yourself – you’ve done a good job!

About The Author

Gareth Marples is a successful freelance writer providing valuable tips and advice for consumers purchasing wine racks, wine gift baskets and specialty steaks. His numerous articles offer moneysaving tips and valuable insight on typically confusing topics.

E-Mail: beekman@conversent.net

Website Design ©Maron Marketing Consultants, Inc.