Find the perfect bottle of wine

With the holidays fast approaching, wine will soon become a staple at social gatherings. Purchasing wine, however, can be daunting. From the endless varieties of Chardonnays and Pinot Noir, picking the right bottle of wine can cause a hangover before a bottle is opened.

So exactly, how does one pick that perfect bottle of wine?

For Fenton Wine and Brewery owner Matt Sherrow, the choice is easy – pick what you like to drink. “I always stress ‘serve what you drink.’ A lot of people get caught up in pairing wine,” said Sherrow, who has been making wine for the last four years.

“Whatever you like to drink is a good bottle.”

In Sherrow’s experience, most people start with fruit wines because of their smooth, semi-sweet taste. Fruit wines are not as dry as red or white, and are accessible to a wide variety of palates. Typically, fledgling wine drinkers move onto white wine.

Red wine is the preferred choice for those who have more developed palates.

While wine may conjure images of wine tasting at vineyards or renowned chefs demanding specific varieties being served with their meals, wine is both very accessible and very affordable to everyone.

According to national reports, more wine was sold in the United States than in France last year, making the United States the number one consumer of wine in the world. The Wine Institute reported last year that wine sales generated $30 billion in America, with 60 percent of the wine originating in California.

A visit to any party store will reinforce that wine is an American staple and not a drink exclusively reserved for “high society.”

“Typically, people are spending $10 to $20 on a bottle of wine,” said Tony Aleyas, owner Locke’s party store.

“There’s a lot of really good wine in this price range.” Aleyas stocks wines from South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and other parts of the world and sells them at an economical price.

Tasting different wines doesn’t have to be a strain on the wallet. “A lot of people say you have to pay $50 for a good bottle of wine,” Sherrow said. “That wine may be higher in quality but
that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like it.”

Although Sherrow holds that people should drink wines they
like, he admits that some wines simply do not go with some dishes.
“If you’re having guests over, you want to have an idea of what
you’re eating first, and then pair the wine with it,” he said.

Red wines are a good match with red meats such as steak, beef, stew and wild game. White wines complement chicken, fish, salads, pork and sausage. Sparkling wines and fruit wines can be served with snacks such as cheese and crackers. When in doubt of which
wine to serve, choose a variety that won’t overpower the meal.

The process of finding the perfect wine is similar to honing a skill. The best wines are found through trial and error, and endless experimentation. Indicators such as capped versus corked or bottled versus boxed wine are beginning to blur as wineries
continue to improve their products.

“Try as many different wines as you can,” Sherrow advises. “A lot of people have a preconceived notion of what they like until they try something new.”

Popular wines

Merlot – Due to its mellowness, Merlot is generally the introductory drink to red wines. A versatile wine, Merlot can be served with nearly everything.

Chardonnay – A popular white wine that is paired with fish or chicken, Chardonnay has hints of melon, vanilla and some creaminess. Chardonnay comes in either still or sparkling.

Cabernet Sauvignon – Considered one of the best varieties of red wines; the Cabernet Sauvignon goes best with simply prepared red meat. The wine is very robust and assertive when it is younger and mellows with age.

Sauvignon Blanc – A white wine lighter Chardonnay that is versatile enough to be served with seafood, chicken and salads. Tastes include sour apples, pears and berries up to tropical fruits such as mangos and melons.

The hype about heart-healthy red wine

Red wine has been touted as a cure-all for heart ailments and
its popularity has risen as a result. However, there remains differing opinions as to the health benefits of red wine.

Red wine is made from fermented red and dark grapes where the skin is left on during the fermenting process. This skin gives the wine its characteristic dark hue. White wine is produced in a similar fashion, although the grape skins are removed before fermentation.

Experts believe that substances in the grapes, especially in the skins, contribute to its heart-healthy nature. However, no one is sure exactly what it is about wine that can make it advantageous to people looking to improve heart health.

Studies supporting red wine’s medical benefits suggest antioxidants in red wine, called polyphenols, help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. Polyphenols come in flavonoids and nonflavonoids. Flavonoids are brightly colored plant pigments that occur naturally in most fresh fruits and vegetables. Nonflavonoids are largely vitamins, minerals and other plant pigments. Resveratrol is a nonflavonoid that gets the bulk of the credit when speaking of red wine’s medical benefits.

Resveratrol is purported to help prevent damage to blood vessels while reducing “bad” cholesterol and may prevent blood clots.

It is important to note that much of the research on resveratrol and red wine has been conducted on mice and other animals, not people. For humans to acquire the amount of resveratrol given to
lab animals to equate to the same health benefits, a person would have to consume 100 to 1,000 bottles of red wine a day.

Alcohol, in general, may be heart-healthy, because it thins the blood and improves circulation. This can be advantageous to individuals who already are facing blockages in arteries and need
improved blood flow. But grapes alone may also relax blood vessels allowing blood to flow more easily.

Red wine also contains vitamin C and other healthy substances, which can improve overall health.

Although there are reasons to believe red wine can be a heart-healthy addition to one’s diet, doctors may be reticent to suggest it, because alcohol use can present other problems, especially if it is abused. With this in mind, red or purple grape juice and whole grapes can be a viable alternative for those looking to get the benefits of resveratrol and other antioxidants without the down side of alcohol.

Grape juice provides much of the same benefits of red wine.Eating whole red or purple grapes does too, in addition to the benefit of fiber in one’s diet. Alcohol should be consumed in
moderation. That means one drink a day for women, or up to two drinks a day for men.

 

This site is hosted by (click on the graphic for more information)

Return from wine to Home Page

Bill & Sheila’s Wine