Grapes – The different types and which ones are best for wine making
There are over 60 different types of grapes that are used to make wine, but only a handful are used with any frequency. The type of grape you use is one of the most important factors in the taste of your wine. Here is a guide to the most popular wine grapes and what they are used for.
Red Wine Grapes
Merlot: Merlot grapes are large and round with a thin skin. They are used to make soft, plush, and fruit-forward red wines. Merlot wines are usually medium-bodied with flavors of blackberry, plum, and chocolate.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are small and thick-skinned with a deep purple color. They are used to make dry, full-bodied, and tannic red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are characterized by their flavors of black currant, cedar, and pencil shavings.
Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir grapes are small and thin-skinned with a light red color. They are used to make light-bodied red wines with delicate flavors of strawberry and cherry. Pinot Noir wines are often used in sparkling wines and blush wines.
Red Zinfandel: Zinfandel grapes are large and thick-skinned with a deep red color. They are used to make dry, full-bodied red wines with flavors of blackberry and pepper.
White Wine Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc grapes are small and round with a thin skin. They are used to make dry, crisp white wines with flavors of grapefruit, green bell pepper, and grass. Sauvignon Blanc wines are often used in sparkling wines and blend well with other white wines.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay grapes are large and round with a thick skin. They are used to make buttery, oaky white wines with flavors of apple, pear, and oak. Chardonnay wines are often aged in barrels, giving them a distinct flavor.
Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio grapes are small and thin-skinned with a light gray color. They are used to make light-bodied white wines with delicate flavors of citrus and mineral.
Riesling: Riesling grapes are small and thin-skinned with a yellow color. They are used to make sweet, fruity white wines with flavors of peach, apricot, and honey. Riesling wines are often used in dessert wines and are very versatile.
Sparkling Wine Grapes
Champagne: Champagne grapes are small and round with a thin skin. They are used to make sparkling wines with a refreshing acidity and flavors of citrus, apple, and bread dough.
Prosecco: Prosecco grapes are large and round with a thick skin. They are used to make sparkling wines with a creamy texture and flavors of peach, apricot, and melon.
Cava: Cava grapes are small and round with a thin skin. They are used to make sparkling wines with a dry, crisp texture and flavors of apple, pear, and grapefruit..Read Full Report
How to store wine – cellaring, ageing
When it comes to wine, there are two key things to remember: first, that wine is a living, breathing thing, and second, that not all wines are created equal. Just as you wouldn’t store Your grandma’s china in the same place as your every day dishes, you wouldn’t store a wine meant for drinking now in the same way you’d store a wine meant for aging. The same is true for temperatures – you wouldn’t keep your white wines in the fridge next to your reds.
The most important thing to remember when storing wine is that wine is alive. It continues to evolve and change even after it’s been bottled, and how you store it can affect the way it tastes. That’s why it’s important to find a storage solution that will keep your wine at a consistent temperature and humidity.
There are two main ways to store wine: short-term storage and long-term storage. Short-term storage is for wines that you plan on drinking within the next year or two, while long-term storage is for wines that you won’t be drinking for at least a few years.
Short-term storage is relatively easy – you can just keep your wines in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or a wine fridge. The important thing is to make sure that the temperature is consistent, as fluctuations can damage the wine. Red wines should be stored at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while white wines and sparkling wines should be stored at a slightly cooler temperature, around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Long-term storage is a bit more complicated, as you’ll need to find a way to keep your wines at a consistent temperature and humidity level for years at a time. The best way to do this is to invest in a wine cellar, which can be either a standalone room or part of your basement. If you don’t have the space for a wine cellar, you can also use a wine fridge that has a built-in humidifier. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the temperature stays between 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity stays between 50-70%.
Once you’ve found the perfect storage solution for your wines, you need to think about how you’re going to organize them. The best way to do this is to group them by type – reds with reds, whites with whites, and so on. Within each group, you can then organize them by age, with the youngest wines at the front and the oldest wines at the back. This way, you can easily grab the wine you want to drink without having to move all of the other bottles.
Storing wine may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually relatively simple as long as you follow these guidelines. By finding the right storage solution and organizing your wines accordingly, you can ensure that your wines will taste great for years to come.
Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about how to make wine from grapes. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.