When I started learning about wine, I was amazed to see people around me sniff the wine and rattle off with aromas of fruits, flowers and spices. While I was stuck with descriptors like Uhmmm, Grapes? Spirit? Citrus? I saw the same thing happen when I started encouraging my family and friends to discuss theContinue reading “How I learnt to Identify the various Wine Aromas!”
Category Archives: wine
Wine Gifting Tips
If you are planning to gift a bottle of wine this festive season, read the following tips. 1. Know the recipient – Whether they drink wine at all, whether they prefer a red, white, fortified or sparkling wine? Are they into wines from a particular country or region? All this can help you greatly inContinue reading “Wine Gifting Tips”
Wine Labels
They say never judge a book by its cover, but a wine label is a good start to figure out the origin, contents, quality and even the flavours of the wine well before you open it. Every wine-producing country has its own legal requirements for labelling the wine, but most are labelled according to theContinue reading “Wine Labels”
Wine Glasses
Do wine glasses matter? Yes Do you need a specific glass for each grape variety? Not really! Different wine glasses do alter the aromas and flavours of the wine and when life allows you the luxury of time, you can try all the various types of glasses and see for yourself. However, I am a believerContinue reading “Wine Glasses”
Wine Flaws
Wine is a living thing and it continues to change all the time, even while in the bottle. And like any living thing, they may come with some flaws! These wine flaws are easy to detect by their unpleasant or ‘off’ smell and most retailers or restaurants are happy to take the wine back ifContinue reading “Wine Flaws”
How to Hold a Wine Glass
Some people may frown upon the ‘incorrect’ way of holding a wine glass but there really is only one thing to keep in mind. While using a wine glass with a stem hold it by the stem and never by the bowl. This is primarily for 3 reasons (looking fancy is not on the list,Continue reading “How to Hold a Wine Glass”
Decanting Wine
More often than not, all wines benefit from decanting. While it helps in getting rid of sediments in older red wines, it helps in smoothing tannins in younger red wines, too. It also enhances the flavours in white wines and as far as sparkling wine is concerned, some prefer the opening up of the aromasContinue reading “Decanting Wine”
Orange Wine
What is Orange wine? Let me begin by answering the question, ‘What orange wine is not?’ It is not a wine made from oranges. It is not a white wine with orange flavours. It is not an orange juice and wine cocktail (that, as I’m sure you know, is called a mimosa!). In fact, itContinue reading “Orange Wine”
Popular Red Wine Blends
Did you know Champagne is usually a blend of three grapes varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Munier. Many famous wines such as Bordeaux, Chinati, Rioja and Port use multiple grape varieties to make their signature wines. Sometimes 18 or more grapes varieties (as in the case of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine from the Rhone regionContinue reading “Popular Red Wine Blends”
Tasting Notes
All my tasting notes are available at vivino.com. Check it out!