Nov 28 2010
Getting Used To The Taste Of Red Wine
Most folks who try out wine for the first time discover that the taste can be incredibly bitter and tart. The main reason for this is simply because many people who try out wine for the first time are so accustomed to consuming sugary soft-drinks, that the flavor of wine is just unbearable to them. Generally speaking, a beginner will pick a red wine. Even-though there are sweet variations of red wine, it is often still to bitter for a novice. Nevertheless, if you want to drink wine for the health benefits, than red wine is your best option. Red wine is known for its excellent health benefits, tannic and non-sweet flavours.
Red wine-makers process the skin of the grapes into the wine which produces a tannic, leather-like flavor. This skin is also the reason for the great health benefits associated with red wine. It’s a well-known fact that all grapes are white inside. To obtain the red color and the wonderful tasting flavoring of red wine you’ll have to include the skins in the process. The darkness of the wine is obtained by leaving the skins on the grapes for as long as possible. The longer the skins are on the grapes, the darker the wine, the more tannic it gets and the healthier your wine will turn out to be. Source : Winemaking
To get used to consuming the tannic and tart red wines it is crucial to practice your tastebuds. To do this you should start off with a white wine. Your tastebuds will gradually get accustomed to the taste of wine in general. You may little by little move on to a pink colored wine and ultimately stimulate your tastebuds to the most healthy and nutritious wine available, red wine.
The best wines to start out with are the white Zinfandel and white Merlot type wines. These white wines are incredibly sweet. For someone who is used to consume a lot of soft drinks, this wine might taste more or less like normal due to the excessive sweetness. Therefore, it’s the simplest way to get your taste-buds accustomed to consuming wine. Another really sweet tasting wine is Red Port. Be aware, the alcohol level is significantly higher but the flavor of these types of wine is vibrant, thicker and sweet. A great way to get used to the rich, complex flavours of wine.
Once you’re used to consuming the variations of wine pointed out previously, you’ll be ready to move up a level. Even now, it’s important to start out with a red wine containing lower tannins levels. For example, a red Merlot, Chianti or Shiraz. Merlot is a grape variant with a very gentle flavor to it. Chianti is made out of multiple sorts of grapes. You’ll find this wine to be tasting fruity. Finally, Shiraz is a wine made from the grape Syrah. These wines are usually spicy and peppery tasting.
One word of advise, if you’re a beginner or perhaps an experienced wine drinker, it is generally encouraged to go to your local wine shop and ask the owner’s opinion. The owner generally understands plenty more about the wines he’s selling and can determine what wine will match with you. Tell him about your taste fondness and the occasions you desire to consume the wine. He will probably be able to offer you a good range of choices to pick from. It’s always good to try out numerous different wines to discover your personal flavor of wine.
Reference : Wine Making
