Key Features

Soil Quality/Slope of Hill

Ripeness of Grapes when harvested

Grape Skin Thickness

Grape Type and Combination of Grape types

Aged in Oak or Stainless Steel

Temperature during Fermentation Acid

About Wine

Alcohol Content

Alcohol is created when the natural sugars in the grape pulp come in contact with yeasts. The more ripe the grapes are, the more natural sugar they will contain and the higher the alcohol content will be. High alcohol yields a full, round and supple taste. Low alcohol wines are light and sheer.

Acidity

As the grape ripens the alcohol content increases but the acid level decreases. The vintner must know the right moment to harvest the grape to achieve balance of flavors. Lack of acidity can make a wine taste dull and flat. Wines with the right amount of acid taste and feel crisp

Tanin

Tannin is contained in the skin, seeds, and stems of the grape. The longer the skin, seeds, or stems are fermented in contact with the juice, the higher the tannin. Tannin is the backbone of most red wines, to varying degrees. Tannin imparts an astringent quality to wines, and too much can cause a bitter or puckery feeling in the mouth. It is also a preservative that allows reds to age longer than whites.

Sweetness/Dryness

These descriptors are often misunderstood. Sweetness is confused with fruitiness. If most of the sugar in the grapes is converted to alcohol, the wine is considered dry. If some of the sugar is converted, but a residual amount of sugar remains, it is considered sweet.

Body

The overall impression of the glass of wine on your tongue is the body of the wine. Terms used to describe the wine can be light-bodied, medium-bodied, or full bodied.

White Wine

White Wines are made from white grapes or from the juice of red grapes. White wines are chilled and are very popular in warmer months.

Chardonnay

One of the most popular white wines. This is a full bodied, dry white wine with medium to high acidity that is usually aged in oak barrels. The oak imparts the unique flavor and aroma of Chardonnay. Terms typically used to describe Chardonnay are butterscotch, vanilla, apple, earthy, pineapple. Chardonnay can be paired with seafood or chicken.

Chenin Blanc

Expect flavors of pears, melon, apricot, red apple and peach to emerge when drinking this wine. Chenin Blanc works well with Asian inspired dishes.

Rieslings

Riesling can be described as light bodied, crisp and refreshing, with flavors of fruits and flowers. The wine has high acidity with low to moderate alcohol levels. It can be dry or sweet. Riesling pairs well with spicy or Asian inspired dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is described as grassy, herbal, acidic, smoky, taute and lithe. It can be consumed with pork, vegetable dishes, mussels and other shellfish.

Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is a wine that tastes full-bodies and soft in the mouth. It can recall flavors of gingerbread, vanilla, fruit cocktail, roses, lychee, and honeysuckle. Gewurztraminer is lovely when paired with dishes that have a fruit component, like pork with sautéed apples.

Pino Grigio

Pinot Grigio is light, crisp, and simple to the taste. When you drink it, you may think of pear, spice cake, arugula and peach skins. Pair Pinot Grigio with delicately flavored fish or seafood.

White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is made by removing the skin from Red Zinfandel Grapes. It is slightly sweet and considered a drink for beginner wine lovers.

Moscato

Moscato is considered a dessert wine and tastes perfumed and fruity. It is often mixed with sparkling wine to become Moscato D’Asti.

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Red Wine

Red Wines are made in a process where the juice and skin of the grapes are kept in contact with each other for varying periods of time. The result is a more tannic wine, which has a firmer, puckery feel in the mouth.White Wines are made from white grapes or from the juice of red grapes. White wines are chilled and are very popular in warmer months.

Chardonnay

One of the most popular white wines. This is a full bodied, dry white wine with medium to high acidity that is usually aged in oak barrels. The oak imparts the unique flavor and aroma of Chardonnay. Terms typically used to describe Chardonnay are butterscotch, vanilla, apple, earthy, pineapple. Chardonnay can be paired with seafood or chicken.

Chenin Blanc

Expect flavors of pears, melon, apricot, red apple and peach to emerge when drinking this wine. Chenin Blanc works well with Asian inspired dishes.

Rieslings

Riesling can be described as light bodied, crisp and refreshing, with flavors of fruits and flowers. The wine has high acidity with low to moderate alcohol levels. It can be dry or sweet. Riesling pairs well with spicy or Asian inspired dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is described as grassy, herbal, acidic, smoky, taute and lithe. It can be consumed with pork, vegetable dishes, mussels and other shellfish.

Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is a wine that tastes full-bodies and soft in the mouth. It can recall flavors of gingerbread, vanilla, fruit cocktail, roses, lychee, and honeysuckle. Gewurztraminer is lovely when paired with dishes that have a fruit component, like pork with sautéed apples.

Pino Grigio

Pinot Grigio is light, crisp, and simple to the taste. When you drink it, you may think of pear, spice cake, arugula and peach skins. Pair Pinot Grigio with delicately flavored fish or seafood.

White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is made by removing the skin from Red Zinfandel Grapes. It is slightly sweet and considered a drink for beginner wine lovers.

Moscato

Moscato is considered a dessert wine and tastes perfumed and fruity. It is often mixed with sparkling wine to become Moscato D’Asti.

Wine IQ

Key Features

Soil Quality/Slope of Hill

Ripeness of Grapes when harvested

Grape Skin Thickness

Grape Type and Combination of Grape types

Aged in Oak or Stainless Steel

Temperature during Fermentation Acid

About Wine

Alcohol Content

Acidity

Tanin

Sweetness/Dryness

Body

White Wine

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Rieslings

Sauvignon Blanc

Gewurztraminer

Pino Grigio

White Zinfandel

Moscato

Red Wine

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Rieslings

Sauvignon Blanc

Gewurztraminer

Pino Grigio

White Zinfandel

Moscato