| Advanced Appreciation of Red Wine |
| The Four Major Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon (commonly known as Cabs) This variety can be called the �King' of wine-producing grapes because the finest red wines in the world are made from it. Wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon are dry, tannic, full-flavored and full-bodied wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is THE red wine � a representative of how fine red wines should taste. Because of the moderately high tannin level in Cabernet Sauvignon, it might prove quite a challenge for beginners to drink. Expensive Cabernet Suavignon wines with high tannin levels have the potential to become very fine wines when kept for a couple of years. It is no surprise that some of the best wines in the world are made from Cabernet Sauvignon. They often need decades before truly developing into priceless treasure... and the longer you store, the better it becomes. Less expensive wines containing less tannin and can be drunk directly when taken off the shelf. Cabernet Sauvignon usually go well with various meat because of its moderately high tannin level. It is worthy to note that all wines labeled as �Cabernet Sauvignon� do not really contain 100% of the wine itself. Wines made from Cabs are frequently blended in with Merlot (up to 25%) - the two make excellent combinations with one another. Merlot If Cabernet Sauvignon is the King, then Merlot is the 'Queen' of wine-producing grapes. Merlot contains much less tannin and hence it is �softer� in taste. Since it is �soft� and Cabs are relatively intense, both Merlot and Cabs are frequently blended into one another to bring out the best of each. In fact, bottles labeled as �Cabernet Sauvignon� actually do contain some Merlot in them, and so do wines labeled as �Merlot� contain certain percentage of Cabs. The two wines complement each other and make excellent tastes together. The aromas and flavors of Merlot are more close to that of fruits and sweets. They may be a pleasant surprise for drinkers who have been drinking Cabs often and switch to Merlot for a change. Because its taste is pleasant, Merlot can be drunk anytime when your mood is right� especially in the evening when the day is over and you are resting at home. Merlot tastes relatively �sweet� and is nice to complement lighter food with pleasant fruity flavors. Most Merlots are best when young and should be drunk as soon as you take them off the shelf. (If you have the money, buy a bottle of both Cabs and Merlot home and pour yourself a bit of each. Soon enough you will know the difference in their tastes) Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is another �soft� wine with low tannin and has its own unique taste. It has an interesting combination taste of fruits and nuts and the smell of nature in its midst. Its tastes consist of black or red berries, and may have hints of aromas from the earth, leaves and various herbs. Drinking Pinot Noir is like taking a trip to a beautiful nature reserve and savoring the sight of nature and berries in full bloom. Fresh and delicious, Pinot Noir is in a class of its own. Its good taste is so priced by wine-makers that they are usually not blended with others so as to retain its own authenticity. The Burgundy region of France produce Pinot Noir wines (Bourgogne) so good that they command prices higher than any other wines in the world. You have to taste Pinot Noir to appreciate its true uniqueness. Its paler brick red colour in the glass tells you that it contains less tannin than Cabs. Sometimes the wine can be made more tannic by storing them in oak barrels from which they absorb tannin from to gain more structure. Other than that, Pinot Noir is best drunk when young. Pinot Noir combines nicely with most food that also compliments well with Merlot. Shiraz (or Syrah) Wines made from Shiraz are usually as tannic as Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking Shiraz, you may savor very complex flavors and aromas that no other wines can provide. The tastes of Shiraz are very widely ranged, and you may taste fruits and nuts, vegetables and spices, and even those of barbecue and meat among its great complexities. Shiraz is delicious in that it allows you to savor many tastes and aromas in one go. Apart from high tannin levels, many cheaper Shiraz wines are intentionally made so that they contain less tannin and is very pleasant to drink. They still retain their flavorful character of fruits and berries and also contain traces of vegetables and spice aromas. More tannic Shiraz may taste intense and contain more unfamiliar flavors, but they make good candidates for storage in the cellar to develop very unique tastes for years to come. Moreover, Shiraz is a great candidate for creative blending with other wines. For example, Shiraz is usually blended with Cabs to give a special full-bodied taste that is unique to Australian wines. |