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Wine tasting can be complicated and complex at times, but don't worry, in this article we will give you some tips to taste wine like a pro.
First of all, it is important to specify that anyone can learn to taste a wine correctly, without being a professional taster. All you need to have is a consistent tasting technique that you can improve with time and expereince.
Everytime you drink wine, take a moment to appreciate its unique characteristics. By practicing, you will soon become a professional wine taster! Just follow the four steps of the conventional tasting method: Look, Smell, Taste and Think.
Hold the wine glass over a white background in a neutral light and make 3 observations: hue, color intensity, and viscosity. In white wines, a deeper colour is usually an indication of ageing or oxidation.
For example, white wines aged in oak have a deeper colour than those aged in stainless steel, which doesn´t let oxygen in. In rosé wines, the intensity is controlled by the winemaker
Thus, a deeper colour simply means that the wines were macerated in grape skins for longer. In red wines, we need to look towards the edge of the wine to see the hue.
We need to look towards the centre to see how opaque the colour is: Wines with a red coloured tint, are likely to have a higher acidity (lower pH). Wines that are more purple or blue, will have lower acidity. A deeply coloured, opaque red wine is likely to be youthful with higher tannin.
Finally, red wines become more pale and tawny as they age. Also, when looking at wines, it is important to look at the viscosity. Wines with higher viscosity, have higher alcohol, higher sugar, or both.
Wine "legs" or "tears" is a phenomenon called the Gibbs-Marangoni effect. It is caused by fluid surface tension created from evaporating alcohol. In a controlled environment, many "tears" indicate a wine with higher alcohol content. Also, temperature and humidity will affect results, therefore wines need to be kept in a cool climate.
The sediments are the particles at the bottom of the glass that sometimes appear when drinking unfiltered wines. They are harmless but can be easily removed by pouring through a stainless-steel filter.
The first thing we have to do is smell the wine without moving the glass, perceiving the aromas given off the surface of the wine (the primary aromas, which come from the grape variety).
We recommend smelling the wine and creating a profile of its aromas before tasting it. Try to look for 2-3 fruit flavours, 2-3 herbal or other flavours, and any oak or earth flavour.
Shaking the glass increases the release of aromas and their intensity, so we will be able to detect the secondary aromas. After letting it rest, we need to smell it again to appreciate the tertiary aromas, those of ageing.
Therefore, young wines only have the two first aromas, while those that have undergone ageing have a "bouquet", an aromatic expression of great complexity. The more integrated these aromas are, the more elegant wine will be.
Good wines are characterized by their variety of aromas, complexity, intensity and clarity, evolving in nuances as they are tasted. On the contrary, a simple wine is one that gives us few aromas, of little intensity.
It is also necessary to distinguish between aromas (always positive characteristics). Look for fruity, herbaceous, or other flavours, and if present, oak or earthy flavours. You should also look for negative aromas, if there are any, from manufacturing defects, poor preservation, etc.
We can differentiate the flavours that we find in the tongue by the papillae that are in charge of them. The fungiform are the only ones with buds that are sensitive to specific flavours, between 150 and 400 papillae that contain several hundred thousand cells that are completely renewed every four days!
The goblet papillae (their name comes from forming a vee or chalice on the tongue) are only sensitive to the bitter.
take a mouth large enough and pass the wine through the entire palate before swallowing it. Try to identify the structure of the wine (tannin, acidity, etc.), the aromas and the overall balance of the wine.
Finally, it's time to put all your observations together and evaluate the experience as a whole. We recommend that you write down the taste notes, evaluate the wine and compare it with other wines.
New Year´s is almost here and we are very excited! It is a long tradition in the gregorian calendar to celebrate December 31 and welcome the new year 2023 with a glass of champagne.
However, given the sparkling wine shortage that the world is currently facing, we need to buy our bottles in advance and store it until the new year. Which brings the question, how can we store these bottles, so they are well preserved until the time of pouring the bubbly drink?
International wines are becoming increasingly popular across the globe. With the rise of global travel, more people have access to different kinds of regional drinks from all over the world.
Many winemakers now offer a wide range of styles, from light and easy-drinking white and rosé wines to full-bodied reds. They also offer a wide variety of sparkling, dessert and even fortified wines like port or sherry.
Robert Parker wines are some of the most sought-after and highly acclaimed wines on the market. Robert M. Parker, Jr. is an American wine critic who is known for his influential 100-point rating system and widely respected palate.
His reviews are very influential in the industry and can often make or break a winery’s reputation, so his advice is taken very seriously.
When opening a bottle of wine, it is important to take measures to preserve the aromas and the taste, as good preservation can make all the difference. Even though for wine enthusiasts it is difficult to open a bottle and not finish it, there are times that we only want to drink a glass of our favourite red, white or sparkling drink. In this blog, I´ll explain why is important to preserve correctly the wine and I´ll give you some tips to bear in mind when preserving bottles, so next time you open a bottle and do not finish it, you will know how to properly store it for the next time you want to enjoy your favourite drink. Remember, that good storage makes all the difference, as it can be enjoyed over the course of several days or even weeks! One of the main issues that we can face with leftover wine is oxidation. If we open a bottle and we don´t close it properly, the drink will come in contact with the air, causing oxidation. We don´t want that because it can cause oxidation, which in turn will make the bottle lose its aromas and flavours. Another common problem that people face is the growth of bacteria, which in turn will completely destroy the drink. Why Does Wine Spoil? Wine can spoil for different reasons, such as bad bottling, oxidation, bacterial growth, and bad storage. Bad bottling in the bottling process can lead to the drink coming into contact with air, which in turn leads to oxidation. An oxidized bottle will lose its aromas, freshness, and flavours. You know it is oxidized when the colour turns brown or cloudy and has a vinegar-like taste. So, in order to prevent this from happening, we need to be very careful when preserving the bottle after opening it. Another reason why the drink spoils is that bacteria can grow on the wine. Bacteria grow when there are favourable conditions for their growth. For example, some reasons can be when it comes in contact with oxygen if the drink has not been properly sulfited or the high temperature. Bacteria can cause spoilage of the drink and cause bad flavours and aromas. Also, a quick way of noticing if your bottle has bacteria, it´s if it has a vinegar-like taste. If that´s the case, then either the drink has bacteria or it has come in contact with air. How To Store Wine After Opening In order to avoid oxidation and bacteria, it is important to properly store wine. Here are some tips that you can use to preserve wine next time you open a bottle:Re-cork the bottle tightly: When you open the bottle and serve the glasses, immediately recork again the bottle, in order to avoid too much air coming in contact with the drink. If you don´t have the original cork, use a wine stopper.Store the bottle in the fridge: By keeping the drink cold, you decrease the temperature of the bottle and therefore, you slow down the oxidation rate.Depending on the type of wine, you can properly store it in the fridge for one or two days, or maybe longer. For example, red wine can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. White wine can also last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. However, sparkling wine can only last 1-3 and rose bottles can last in the fridge for 5-7 days, without being fully damaged.Use a vacuum seal: By using the vacuum sealer in the bottle, you reduce the amount of oxidation and therefore, you reduce the oxidation process. Best Wine Saver Tools Coravin Wine Preservation System: Coravin is one of the most popular brands for preservation system. Their system allows you to pour wine from a bottle without removing the cork, with a push button and a vacuum pump Wine Stopper: The stopper works as a replacement for the cork when the bottle is already opened. Using the seal and avoiding contact with air, helps prevent oxygen from entering the bottle, keeping the wine as fresh as possible. Rabbit Wine Preserver: With this tool, you can preserve opened wine bottles for up to two weeks. It is a stopper that goes on the mouth of the wine bottle to block the passing of the air and avoid oxidation. If you're looking for a convenient and reliable way to shop for your favorite wines, look no further than our ecommerce wine store! We offer a wide selection of high-quality wines from all over the world, and our easy-to-use website makes it simple to find and order your favourites. So why not check us out today? Whether you're looking for a bottle to pair with dinner or a case to stock up on your cellar collection, we've got you covered. Just click the link to our website and start shopping now!
Read MoreWe have all seen a wine decanter. But, why do we decant wines? And, how long do we decant wines? In this blog, I´ll try to answer some of the questions that you may have regarding the decantation of wine. I´ll talk about the reasons to decant wine, when to decant wine, how to decant wine and how long to decant wine, so that next time you are opening a bottle of wine, you will know the best way to fully enjoy it. Reasons to Decant Wine The decanting of wine has several purposes. The first and best known is to separate the wine from the sediments created inside the bottle during reductive ageing. Reductive ageing is the process when the wine ages inside the bottle. This ageing takes place without oxygen. These deposits do not impact the taste of the wine, but seeing them can be unpleasant and we can notice these sediments in the mouth. So, by decanting, we trespass the wine from its bottle without the sediments to the decanter. Another advantage of decanting is that, by putting the wine in contact with the air, it oxygenates it and helps it to open up. By doing so, the wine can express its full aromatic range more quickly and eliminate unpleasant aromas from the bottling process. The wines that generally benefit from decanting are Crianza red wines, and Reserva and Gran Reserva red wines. Normally, we don´t need to decant White wines as they rarely have sediments. When to Decant Wine In France, it is common to decant both red and white wines. However, in Spain, they usually only decant red wines aged in oak barrels, Reserva wine and gran reserva red wines. White wines are not usually decanted so often, as they rarely have sediment, although there are some whites that need to be decanted to oxygenate them and make them express their aromas better. Not all wines need to be decanted. As I mentioned before, decanting is necessary to remove the sediments, aerate the wine and release the wine´s aromas. Here are some guidelines to know if we need to decant a wine: Age: Old wines, let´s say, 10 years older, need to be decanted in order to remove the juice from the sediment. The decanting time for older wines can be around 30 minutes, given that too much oxygen can have a negative impact on the wine. Remember, that we decant old wines to remove the sediment, but we don´t want too much oxygen Grape Variety: Full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bordeaux blend benefit from decanting as the process can help soften tannins and open up aromas and flavours. However, medium-bodied wine like Pinot Noir or a light-bodied wine like a Beaujolais, don´t require a long decanting time. Vintage of the wine: Some vintages may require longer decanting times than others, depending on how the wine has aged. How to Decant Wine To decant wine like a pro you will need the following material: A tray to carry the wine from the cellar to the table. A decanterA liteaux (a white tea towel)A wine glass and glasses for the guests.A bottle of wine Now that you have all the materials to decant wine like a pro, let´s have a look at the standard decantation procedure: 1.We place the tray on the serving table with all its elements in order:2. We present the bottle inside the basket to the host very carefully so as not to move the wine from the bottle.3.Place the basket on the right side of the tray with the front of the basket on a plate.4.Uncork the bottle with the corkscrew5.We clean the neck of the bottle with the liteaux6.We serve a little bit of wine in the wine glass, in order to clean the decanter, given that water drops can remain in the decanter. Once cleaned, the wine is returned to the wine glass.7.With the right hand, we hold the bottle of wine and with the left hand, we hold the decanter. We bring the two openings closer, and we carefully transfer the wine from one to the other. As soon as we see the first sediments, we put the bottle aside and the decanting process is finished. How Long to Decant Wine Depending on the type of wine, the decanting time can vary. Factors like the grape variety and vintage of the wine are important when deciding how long to decant wine. For example, younger vintages of red wine may need a longer decanting time than older vintages. For older wines, decanting is only necessary to remove the sediments, so we don´t need to decant the wine for a long period of time, as too much oxygen will get into the wine and it may lose aromas. As a rule of thumb, for older wines, 30 minutes of decanting should be sufficient. For full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec, the decanting time can vary from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, depending on the vintage and style of the wine. Decanting is necessary for these types of wines, as it will help to aerate the wine, so the full range of aromas can be released. Medium-bodied red wines, like Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sangiovese need less decanting time than full-bodied wines, from 15 to 30 minutes. Light-bodied wines like Beaujolais, don´t usually require decanting, as they are already delicate and light. White wines, as we mentioned before, are not normally decanted. However, if you decide to decant the white wine, a few minutes should be enough. It's important to taste the wine periodically during the decanting process to determine when it has reached the desired level of aeration. I hope you enjoyed this article and you learned a little bit more about why to decant wines, how to decant wine and for how long to decant wines. If you want to discover a great selection of wines, don´t forget to visit our online store and subscribe to our newsletter. See you later, wine lovers, Victoria
Read MoreWine and tea may seem like vastly different beverages, but they share more similarities than you might think. In this blog, we'll take a deep dive into the world of wine and tea, exploring the fascinating parallels between these two drinks. From the terroir that affects their taste to the ritual of enjoying each drink, we'll uncover the surprising similarities between wine and tea. Wine and tea growing are ancient practices that have been part of our culture for thousands of years and the know-how and terroir of the plantation have a huge impact on the final drink. Given all these similarities, it was about time we added the best Indian tea to our great online wine store, for all those wine lovers who are looking for the sober option of wine. In this blog, I´ll explain the similarities between wine and tea and how to combine both drinks, so you can compare the best tea and the best wine. We have added authentic tea from India so you can order tea online, together with our delicious wines. The Importance of Terroir in Wine and Tea It is well-known that the terroir of the wine has a huge impact on the quality of the bottle (you can read the article here about the importance of terroir in the taste of wine). Of course, the terroir of the tea is also very important. For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon red wine from France, Chile or South Africa will have a completely different taste, even though it comes from the same grape, due to the differences in the terroir. For tea, you can do the same test. You can taste white tea from two different countries and you will see the same result. White tea from India, from the Imperial slopes of the Himalayas, will have a completely different taste than white tea produced in China, in the Fujian province. Names of the Wines and Names of the Teas Many names in the wine world come from grape varieties, like for example Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Merlot. Others are named after wine regions. For example, Beaujolais wine is named after the Beaujolais region but is normally made of Gamay grapes. This is also the case for Chablis wine, which is normally made of 100% Chardonnay grapes, from the Chablis region in France. For tea, it´s the same concept. Many teas are named after the tea-producing region, like Darjeeling tea, a town in India´s West Bengal State, in the foothills of the Himalayas mountains. Tea can also be named after the way that it has been produced, like Matcha tea. Matcha powder is composed of green tea leaves that have been stone ground into powder, which is very delicate. This powder is then sifted and whisked with hot water, making it more expensive than other types of teas. The Ritual of Winemaking and Tea-Making There are a lot of similarities between wine a tea production. Whereas wine comes from the grapes of the Vitis vinifera vine, the tea leaves come from the Camellia sinensis plant. For wine, there are over 10,000 grapes, but winemakers only make wines with 300 grapes (e.g Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay). For the tea is something similar, tea makers are only interested in two varieties, Camellia sinensis sinensis and Camellia sinensis assamica. As in wine, the production process determines the final colour of the tea; for example, black, green or white. So, the colour of the tea comes from the tea production process and the vision of the tea producer. In wine, the winemakers can decide how they want to make their wines and what colour should the wine have. For example, in the winemaking process of rose wine, the colour of the rose wine is determined by how long the winemaker leaves the skins during the fermentation process. The Art of Tasting and Pairing Wine and Tea We all know that food and wine are a perfect combination. Depending on the food that you are serving, a type of wine or another will be best paired to enhance the full flavour of the dish (you can read this article to know more about food pairing). Food and wine pairing are one of the best ways to enjoy the culinary experience. On the contrary, a badly chosen wine can have a bad effect on the final food experience. With tea, it is the same thing. Even though tea and food pairing rules are not as strict as wine pairing rules, there are some things to consider. Drinking tea, like drinking wine, with food, can enhance and balance the food flavours of the dish. A very important rule to consider when pairing tea and food is the water temperature of the tea. A warm tea will enhance and accentuate the flavours of the dishes, whereas drinking tea at a lower temperature will have a soothing effect. The flavour of the tea will enhance and prolong the flavour of the food. Similarities Between Wines and Tea In this section, we will explain how to combine Indian tea flavours with our delicious wines. Also, we will talk about the tea's health benefits, stress-relieving tea varieties and wight loss tea. All of the teas that we mention are vegan tea and fair trade tea. Darjeeling Tea: Darjeeling tea comes from the Darjeeling region in India. This detox tea is bright and crisp. With floral and fruity notes, this tea has aromas of orange blossom and muscatel grapes. The Darjeeling tea is considered the “Champagne” of the teas. Only teas that come from the Darjeeling region can be considered Darjeeling teas. The wine similarity option would be Champagne Canard Duchêne. With fruity and fresh aromas, this fresh champagne would be the wine in comparison to the Darjeeling tea. Turmeric tea: Turmeric tea has a very earthy taste, with a slight touch of spice. Our healthy turmeric Spiced Herbal Vegan Tea contains Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and black pepper. A similar wine of Turmeric tea would be a nice and fresh albariño, with its mineral and fruity notes and the touch of spiciness. The similar wine would be Terras Gauda is an excellent white wine from Rias Baixas, in the northern part of Spain, Galicia. Oolong Tea: The Oolong tea benefits include fat burning and weight loss. Apart from that, it is a delicious tea renowned for its subtle flavours, with woody sweetness and floral notes. The wine sibling would be a medium-bodied soft Pinot Noir, with silky notes. Imperial Himalayan White Tea: Very elegant and fine white tea from the slopes of the Himalayas, this tea is ideal to have in the evening. This tea is great for improving the skin health. For a similar wine bottle, it would be Herdade Dos Grous Reserva, Vinho Alentejano from Portugal. It is a blend of Antão Vaz, Verdelho and Viognier grapes. Earl Grey Tea: Earl Grey tea is considered a tea for digestion due to its great benefits on the digestive system, and its anti-inflammatory properties. If you are looking for the similar wine, we recommend Marques de Murrieta Reserva, a renowned Spanish wine from the Rioja region. This excellent wine it´s a blend of Tempranillo,Graciano, Mazuelo and Grenache grapes. Mint Melody Green Tea: A stress-relieving tea variety, this green tea is carefully blended with spearmint and peppermint leaves. This sleep-improving tea is great to have it at the evening. This fresh mint tea is the sober´s sibling of Chardonnay Pago de Cirsus, an excellent white wine that has aged in oak barrels. Despite their differences, wine and tea share a deep connection that goes beyond their respective cultures. Through this exploration, we hope to have inspired a newfound appreciation for these two worldly beverages. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a tea enthusiast, we encourage you to take a closer look at the similarities between these drinks and discover the beauty in their shared complexities. In our wine store, you will find a selection of authentic tea, with different tea varieties, tea blends and flavours. In case you are looking for tea for digestion, tea for weight loss or cooking with tea, do not hesitate to order tea online from our store. See you later, wine lovers, Victoria Estrada
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