When it comes to wines, there’s always a reason to take a sip: birthdays, weddings, dates, and celebrations. Studies also showed that they might help a person relax, and lowering the stress levels is excellent for the body. To further enjoy your delivered bottle of wine, expand your knowledge with these FAQs:
How many types of wines are there?
Most people are familiar with red and white ones. Others are more knowledgeable as they can identify sparkling and fruity varieties. What many don’t know is that there are about 200 types of wines (and this doesn’t refer to brands). It also means these beverages come in different categories. These include the style, the ratio between acidity and sweetness, colour, and region.
How do people make wine?
Vinification, or the process of making wine, is a lot more complicated than people believe. It can take several weeks to even months. For those that want to age wines, they may have to wait for a few years.
Winemakers consider a lot of factors before they even begin to harvest the grapes. These include the climate and the quality of the fruit. An expert can help determine whether it’s time to pick them.
After harvesting, the grapes undergo a destemming and crushing process, which will then release the contents of the fruits. The traditional way of doing it was to press them with bare feet.
Today, many use mechanical equipment. It is not only hygienic but also helps to produce consistent results. The process of destemming or crushing can vary. For example, for those producing red wines, the skins and even the stems of the grapes can remain even during the fermentation process. This is the reason why it has a dark colour.
After crushing the grapes, fermentation begins. It is a process of converting sugars into alcohol. Natural yeast can already help achieve it, but more established wineries may also use cultured ones. Fermentation can take a while before manufacturers transfer the wines into bottles or stored in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels.
Does wine taste better with age?
For many years, people believe ageing wine will help improve its taste. It’s so ingrained in society’s culture that it’s already a saying! In reality, wine ageing does not make the beverage taste better per se. What it does is to change the texture and flavour, making it a unique experience for the drinker.
Not all wines should be aged either. The likes of prosecco and dry Riesling must be consumed within 1 to 3 years. The pricier the bottle is, the more likely it is meant for ageing. Drinkers should empty their containers within five years, on average.
Is wine a good investment?
Once in a while, people come across stories about wine bottles selling millions at auctions. It is, therefore, not surprising for others to believe there’s some financial value in these products.
Can people invest in wine? Yes, they can, and they can do it without having to buy physical bottles. For example, they can purchase shares of wine companies. Is it a good investment? The answer is relative, which means it depends on many factors. It has a limited niche market, but those who belong to the group tend to spend money on their collection. The ones that sell best are usually wine bottles with historical value. They may be rare or connected to a significant event.
With this information, buying a bottle of wine is no longer a chore or a fun activity. It becomes a more meaningful experience.