Wood on Wine

The Basics of Wine
© by Linwood Slayton
Whether you are brand new to wine or an occasional imbiber, or even one who has a working knowledge of wine and likes to drink wine, a look at the Basics of Wine should be helpful. Even if you don't drink wine at all, it can't hurt to know something about it for social purposes. There are three basic color types of wine: red, white and rose (blush, pink). White wine is actually misnamed in that most white wines are actually yellow. White wine is any wine without any red color. White wine either comes from white grapes or from red grapes- but only the juice of red grapes.

White wines can be drunk with or without food and are considered "aperitif" wines - wine to drink before dinner or at parties. Many people like to drink white wines in the summer when it is hot as they are typically drunk chiled.

White wine styles:

1. Dry, crisp- no sweetness; no oaky character; Most Italian white wines like Soave, Pinot Grigio; some French whites like Sancerre and Chablis;

2. Dry, full- bodied, with oaky character; The more expensive Calif. and French wines like Chardonnay and Burgundy fit this category;

3. Medium dry- may even be considered sweet as compared to dry; many German wines like Liebfraumilch and less expensive American wines;

Preference is, of course, a matter of personal taste and tastes can and do vary depending upon other factors. I like the dry full- bodied whites as a general rule- especially when I am eating. I tend not to prefer the sweeter or medium dry wines. I have learned to look for the "oaky taste" of Chardonnay as well as the hint of different fruit flavors in the wine.

Common white wines:

• chardonnay- Calif., France, Australia, etc.;
• sauvignon blanc- Calif., New Zealand, S.Africa, etc.;
• riesling- Germany, Calif. etc.
• gewiirztraminer- Germany, France etc.
• pinot grigio- Italy, Oregon, etc.;
• soave- Italy;
• vouvray- France
• pouilly-fuisse- France;
• liebfraumilch- Germany;
• chablis- France;
• frascati- Italy