What are sulfites and should I be worried about them?

Sulfite is a term used to describe sulfur dioxide and other sulfur derivatives. Sulfites are found in all wines as they are a natural product of fermentation. Sulfur dioxide is used in wine making to prevent oxidation, kill bacteria and wild yeasts, and encourage quick and clean fermentation. The U.S. government requires wine labels to include "Contains Sulfites" to alert those who may be allergic to sulfites. Approximately 1% of the population is allergic to sulfites.

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Is wine fattening?

The calories in a 4 ounce glass of wine ranges from about 80 to 100 calories. Lighter wines tend to have fewer calories than heavier wines. Some wines are higher in carbohydrates than others due to their residual sugars. For example, a dry Sauvignon Blanc may have 2 grams of carbohydrate where as a very sweet dessert wine could have up to 12 grams. Wine is fat free and contains no cholesterol.

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Why do some wines give you a headache?

Histamines, found in the skins of grapes, seem to give some people headaches if they are sensitive to histamines. Red wine will affect a histamine sensitive wine drinker more than white wine because red wine has spent more time in contact with grape skins.

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I’ve heard that drinking wine, especially red wine, is good for me. Is this true?

There has been more and more consensus in the last few years within the scientific community and governmental and public health circles that moderate wine consumption is in fact associated with a number of positive health outcomes. Specific information on this subject can be found at the sites listed below.

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How is wine made?

The following is a synopsis of the basic steps taken to make wine:

Grapes are crushed to release the sugar in their juice. The juice naturally ferments when yeast comes in contact with the sugar in the grape juice. The result is alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Red wine is made with dark-skinned grapes and fermented with the grape skins. White wines are made with white grapes, or if made with some dark-skinned grapes the grape skins are removed prior to fermentation. Rosé wines have contact with the skins of dark-skinned grapes just long enough to impart a pink color.

The fermented wine is then separated from the grape solids and transferred into a vat or casks where it is clarified, stabilized, and may be taken though optional processes. Finally, the wine is bottled.

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What is malolactic fermentation?

A natural process during which beneficial bacteria convert the malic (very tart) acid in a wine to lactic (softer tasting) acid. Malolactic fermentation can take place on its own or be prompted by the winemaker.

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Is French wine better than wine made here in the U.S.?

Although wines from different regions will vary in style, quality wines are produced all over the world. Each wine region may produce many types of wine, but most likely specialize and excel in a few due to weather and growing conditions.

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What does it mean when a wine is tannic?

A tannic wine has an astringency and bitterness that is caused by a high level of tannins. Tannins are a group of chemical compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems, and sometimes in the wood barrels wine is fermented in. Tannins are important to the aging of wine. Wines most likely to be described as tannic are red wines.

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Why do some red wines have a pucker effect to them?

Tannins in wine, usually red wine, cause your mouth to "pucker." Tannins are a group of chemical compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems, and sometimes in the wood barrels wine is fermented in. Tannins can make a wine bitter and astringent. Tannins are important to the aging of wine.

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What is a wine’s bouquet?

Bouquet usually refers to the odors found in wine which come from sources other than the grapes, such as the vanillin scent of the oak barrels in which the wine might have been fermented or aged. Earthy, herbaceous, or floral smells in wine are also examples of bouquet.

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What does it mean when a wine is sweet or dry?

A sweet wine is one that has a level of residual sugar that gives it a sweet taste. There is no indication of sweetness in a dry wine due to its low level of residual sugar. An off-dry wine is one that is slightly sweet.

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Why do wine tasters smell wine?

The way a wine smells can give many clues to how it will taste, where it was made, and from what grapes it was made. Also, your sense of smell is imperative to your sense of taste. Most people smell a wine because they find it pleasurable or are interested in the connection between how a wine smells and how it tastes.

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How do you organize a wine tasting party?

The goal of a wine tasting is to discover new wines and have fun.

First decide what you want to taste: varietals from different wine regions, a few different varietals, different vintages of one producer’s wine? Tasting more than four to six different wines is not recommended as palate fatigue may overcome your guests. Once you’ve decided what you are going to taste, buy enough of each wine so each guest can taste it (plan on a "taste" of about 2 — 3 ounces) and some left over to enjoy after the tasting. Alternatively, you may ask your guests to bring a specific wine or a wine of their choice in a specific category to taste.

Taste the wines blind, that is cover each with a sheet of aluminum foil and mark it with a number for identification. For a casual tasting, provide each taster with a wine glass, a pencil and paper and ask them to taste each wine at their leisure. Also provide a bucket for dumping wine and some bread or plain crackers to cleanse palates. You may want to let each pers

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I'm not sure how to talk about wine when I'm tasting it. What is all of this wine lingo?

The reason wine "lingo" was established was to create some common descriptors to use to discuss such a subjective subject. Using these words helps others understand your interpretation of a wine. But it is not necessary to use any prescribed language. You can describe a wine in any terms you want. It is easier if you think of wine tasting terms as those that describe how the wine smells and those that describe how it tastes or feels in the mouth. The following are a few basic tasting terms you may have heard:

Body--the viscosity of the wine (a wine can be as thin as water or as thick as cream)

Big--high in alcohol

Buttery--having an aroma of butter or butterscotch

Crisp--high in fruit acidity (in a positive way)

Fat--full-bodied

Flabby--not enough acid

Finish--the wine's aftertaste

Fruity--the fruit the wine is made from (the grape) or another fruit flavor is perceptible

Hard--too

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What does oaky mean? What makes a wine oaky?

A wine that has a flavor reminiscent of wood or oak is called oaky. This flavor comes through in wines that are fermented an/or aged in oak barrels.

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What does it mean when a wine is described as buttery?

A buttery wine is one with the taste or aroma of butter or butterscotch. It is usually used to describe white wines and often results from the wine’s time in contact with yeast during barrel fermentation.

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Is it necessary to swirl wine in the glass before you taste it?

It is not necessary. The reason for swirling wine in the glass is to release its aroma. Swirl if you enjoy taking in the wine’s aroma, otherwise get straight to tasting it.

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