Exploring the Science and Aesthetics of Glassware Selection. Wine, often referred to as the nectar of the gods, has been a source of fascination for humanity throughout the ages. The art of wine appreciation encompasses various facets, from the meticulous cultivation of the vines to the delicate process of swirling the liquid within a glass. …
Over the years I have attended numerous wine tastings, mostly informal tastings hosted by wine estates and a handful of formal blind tastings as well. Each wine presented at a tasting would be at its ideal temperature. Some of those would be well chilled, some slightly chilled while others were served at room temperature. This …
Every time I open a bottle of refreshing Vinho Verde on a warm summer day I hear the satisfying hiss of gas escaping the bottle. Remembering that made me wonder if wine ferments in the bottle. If it does, how often does it happen? Wine will ferment in the bottle if there is sugar and …
Every time I walk around a wine shop, I am always amazed by the variety of different shapes and sizes of wine bottles. My wine rack at home works best with the high-shouldered Bordeaux bottles. So, do these other wine bottle shapes actually matter? Other than Champagne bottles which are thicker and heavier to contain …
If we look at wine as fermented grape juice, it seems illogical that prices can range from as little as $2 up to $1000 or more. What differences make some wines so expensive while others remain cheap? Can we detect those differences easily when we taste wine? Expensive wines are produced from grapes with more …
I spent summer vacations on the family wine farm when I was young. I remember a day when my older cousin and I walked in the vineyards, picking and eating grapes. I may have eaten too many grapes and got a stomach ache. My cousin laughed and said that it was the alcohol in the …
When I was first introduced to the world of wine, I thought using a decanter was reserved for expensive ancient wine. Once I learned a little more about wine, I realized how much decanting improved the taste of my wine. But how long should I decant my wine without the risk of ruining it? I …
During my travels, I have dined in many small restaurants and cafes where a lunchtime set menu often includes a carafe of house wine. This made me wonder how many glasses there were in a carafe of wine and whether all carafes of wine are the same wherever I go. I decided to go and …
Technically, you can freeze wine without causing any harm to it, but it’s not recommended because freezing wine can change its taste, texture, and color. As wine freezes, its water content expands, pushing the sugar and alcohol to the center, resulting in a more concentrated flavor. Once thawed, the wine may taste more acidic and …
I have often experienced restaurants serving wine in a carafe while wine experts talk about the benefits of using a decanter for wine. So, I set about learning the differences to understand better how to get the maximum enjoyment from my wine. A decanter is just used for wine and has a wide base to …