Oenology: my advice for choosing and tasting a good wine

In restaurants, the choice of wine is facilitated by the sommelier’s advice. The scenario is different when you are faced with a multitude of bottles in a supermarket or a delicatessen. The consumer who knows nothing about wine is even more confused when reading the numerous information on the labels. By adopting the right reflexes, you will be able to select a wine that corresponds to your tastes.

Oenology, an art in itself

This science consists of the study of wine and winemaking. Learning about oenology allows you todeepen its knowledge on this drink and choose your wine cellar. Its domain remains vast, and learning it takes time. You only need a few pieces of information to make the right choice.

Understand the wine

The basic vocabulary for a first understanding of wine can be summarized in a few words. It is about theappellation, grape variety and vintage (not to be confused with a vintage wine). The main colors of wine are white, rosé and red. The “tannins” are associated with the latter.

Burgundy wine, dry white wine and sweet white wine… how to differentiate these white wines ? The first is from the Burgundy wine terroir, also known as “Climat”. The sweet wine is velvety in mouth, thanks to a sugar rate of 10 and 45 g per liter. On the other hand, dry white wine generally contains less than 2 g of sugar per liter.

The characteristics of a good wine cellar

The wine cellar offers the best conditions for the preservation of the wine. It is called service wine for short storage, and ageing wine (or bonus wine) for long storage. In both cases, a good wine cellar meets several characteristics.

Since it runs continuously, this appliance should preferably be of energy class A. It must be of sufficient size, equipped with a solid door with lock and adjustable feet. The wine cellar is equipped with :

Wire racks ;

A carbon filter ;

A winter function;

An electronic thermostat with a dimmer switch. The screen must display the different temperatures inside.

To help you in your choice, you can consult a wine cellar comparison.

How to choose a good wine ?

When choosing your bottle, the container can already inform you of the appellation, the grape variety and the. A good wine is not presented in plastic packaging, which is more suitable for kitchen use. The good wines can be sold in bottle in glass or in cubis, according to the number of guests that will be served’there will be to serve. Then pay attention to some information on the label.

Choose a wine according to its year

One of the recommendations to choose your wine well is to get information about the vintage. It corresponds to its year of production. It is important to know that the climatic conditions have a direct impact on the quality of the wine.

Contrary to popular belief, an older vintage is not necessarily better than a more recent one. Some types of wine are consumed in the following years. Others must be aged to develop their full potential.

Take into account the vintage to choose a wine

The vat room corresponds to the maceration of the grape crush. It is stored in a closed container to activate the liquefaction process. This storage also allows the extraction of tannins, colorants and aromas from the skins. The vatting time lasts between a few hours and a few days, depending on the type of wine.

The prizes won

Organizations award prizes and medals every year to the best selected wines. For example, the Hachette, Parker or Gault guides & Millau. As for competitions, keep an eye on the results of the Vinalies, the Concours général agricole de Paris, of the Feminalise or those of the regional competitions. For the best organic wines in the world, the Organic Wine Masters and the Challenge Millésime Bio are references.

Tasting a good wine

The connoisseurs will confirm it to you, to appreciate a good wine is done in certain conditions. Tasting involves sight, smell and taste. In addition to the senses that are used for wine tasting, you will notice when you taste a red wine’I recommend that you drink a good wine’also use wine glasses.

How to enjoy a good wine ?

A wine is first appreciated visually: clear or cloudy, brilliant or rather matt ? Its color or robe is more or less intense. The sense of smell captures its different aromas. Finally, the gustative analysis reveals its tannin, its mellowness or its acidity. At the end of the tasting, you should be able to determine its balance, its length in the mouth, its complexity and its expression.

If you are buying a wine that is a few years old, ask about decanting, as it may be necessary to schedule this step at least 2 hours before tasting the wine in order to take advantage of the flavor’all of its aromas.

Tasting a good wine for the aperitif

An aperitif wine stimulates the taste buds and whets the appetite. The best wines for this occasion are fresh, with neither too much sugar nor too much tannin. Bright white wines with a hint of acidity and Rosé wines are perfect for an appetizer and to accompany appetizers.

Associate a good wine with a dish

Rosé wine is drunk with appetizers and certain fish. White wine goes well with fish, white meats, seafood and desserts. For red meats, slow cooking, cheeses and gratins, prefer red wines.

The best wines for dessert

Mellow and sweet white wines generally go well with desserts. A red wine can also be a perfect accompaniment to a cheese platter’Ask your cheese maturer for advice on how to keep your teeth white’For some, a white wine will be more appropriate.

To end the meal on a sweet note, you can opt for a champagne or, in a more original way, a red wine with character and opulence in the mouth so that it can be served with a dessert’it is not overwhelmed by the sugar in the pastry.

You have now all the cards to initiate you to the’Choose good wines from a wine shop or a supermarket. N’Don’t hesitate to taste different grape varieties in order to form an opinion and discover new scents.

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