Sean
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of grapes. The grapes used for winemaking are a very special kind though (latin name: Vitis vinifera). With over a thousand varieties, they are smaller with thicker skins, and taste different from store-bought grapes.
Wine is typically 24 proof, with an alcohol content ranging from 10-14%.
Varietal/Blended – Blended and varietal wines are two broadly different categories of vino. Varietals are composed solely of one type of grape, though this can be independent of region. Blended wines are instead composed of a primary, which typically makes up about 40% of the profile, with a blend of other grapes in smaller quantities making up the rest.
Vineyard – A vineyard is the name for a winemaking grapevine plantation, where wine grapes are grown.
Reds
Cabernet Sauvignon – This wine is made from grapes in the Bordeaux region of France, with a full-bodied red grape and high alcohol content. Food pairings are French and American foods, with rich, red meats, smoky flavors, and hard cheeses.
Syrah – This grape is found primarily in Australia and in the French Rhone Valley. It produces a full-bodied red wine with intensely fruity flavors. Food pairings again include French and American dishes, with Mediterranean dishes also being included for their oily richness.
Zinfandel – This red grape is traditionally grown in Croatia. It produces a red wine with medium body and spicy notes, which pairs well with Italian food, Asian cuisines such as Chinese, Thai, or Indian, and other full-flavored dishes, such as barbecue.
Pinot Noir – This grape is grown throughout France, producing a lighter-bodied dry red. It goes well with cream sauces, pork, chicken, and other poultry, and soft cheeses.
White
Chardonnay – Chardonnay grapes are a traditional French white grape, producing a dry and full-bodied white wine. This wine pairs well with shellfish such as lobster and prawns, as well as other white meats (pork, poultry) and cream sauces.
Sauvignon Blanc – This tart, dry wine is produced by white grapes grown throughout France. Traditional pairings include light meats such as fish, chicken, or veal, and foods which are spicy but not heavy, as with Vietnamese or Mexican foods.
Pinot Gris aka Pinot Grigio – The grapes for Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris can be found in Italy, France, and some regions of Germany. The wine made from these grapes is dry and light, pairing well with mild flavors and delicate foods such as salad and white fish.
Riesling – A highly acidic white grape that originates in the Ruhr valley in Germany. The wine can be either sweet or dry. It pairs well with a wide variety of foods thanks to its variable flavor profile, including cuisines that range from Vietnamese to Indian to Thai to Moroccan to German.
