Top 10 Frequently Asked Wine Questions

Wine can seem like a daunting subject even for people who have been drinking and enjoying it for years.  How do you choose the best wine?  How do you store it?  What do you need to know about vintages or alcohol content?  Here are answers to the top ten wine questions.

How should wine be stored?

Storing wine depends on when you intend to consume it.  For wines that you plan to drink within six months, it is best to store them in a cool and dark place where they will remain as cool as possible and be free from vibrations. 

For storage longer than six months, wine bottles should be kept in a dark area where the temperature is kept both stable and cool.  Ideal conditions include a temperature between 50 and 55 degrees farenheit and a humidity level of no less than 70 percent.  Especially with delicate and sparkling wines, it is important to keep the bottles out of direct light in order to maintain the quality of the wine.  Storing wine horizontally will keep the liquid in contact with the cork, keeping the cork moist and blocking incoming air. 

Open bottles of wine can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days as long as it has been properly recorked.  The best way to do this is with a gas pump or vacuum system.  White wines like the Ventana Vineyards 2007 Arroyo Seco Riesling ($18) can be served directly from the refrigerator or given a few minutes to take the chill off and served cool.  Rosé wines like the South Coast Winery 2007 Grenache Rosé ($14) should be served cool, while red wines like the Caliza Winery 2006 Paso Robles Russell Family Syrah ($45) should be taken out of the refrigerator at least one hour before serving to bring the wine to room temperature.

What is the best way to taste wine?

Begin by looking at your wine.  Pour it into a wine glass and take time to enjoy the color of the wine.  By tilting the glass away from you and holding it against a white background, you can see the intricacies of the colors.  Red wines range from bright reds to almost brown while white wines can range from nearly clear to dark yellow with tones of green, amber, or brown.  Take the time to look for sediment, cloudiness, or clarity.  None of these things necessarily effect the quality of the wine, but they give you the chance to really get to know your wine.

Once you’ve visually inspected it, it’s time to smell your wine.  Swirl the wine gently and take your first sniff.  Then put your nose down into the glass and take a deep breath in.  Think about what you are smelling, which could include herbs, fruits, butter, oak, vanilla, grass, or chocolate.

Now it’s time to taste.  Begin with a small sip, using your tongue to move it around your mouth.  This first taste helps you to discover alcohol content, tannins, and sugars.  A few more minutes will start to reveal the wine’s fruit and spice flavors. 

Keep a journal of your wine tasting adventures to make it easier to choose your next wine.  Make a list of what you like, what you don’t, and what surprised you.  There is no right or wrong way to do this.

What are the proper glasses for serving wine?

Large, bowl-shaped wine glasses should be used for red wines.  The older the wine, the wider the bowl should be. 

Glasses with a narrow opening should be used for young white wines, while older vintages can be served in a slightly wider-mouthed glass.

Champagne should be served in tulip shaped flutes to allow the bouquet to be fully appreciated. 

Brandy should be served in a traditional sifter.  Sweet sparkling wines are best enjoyed in a wine “cup,” a broad and shallow wine glass.  Port or cognac can be served in any narrow glass, including glasses used for white wine or champagne.

What are sulfites?

Sulfites are an ingredient included in wine as fruit preservatives.  Some people have reported a sensitivity to sulfites including headaches, but most people have no issues with the relatives small amounts in wine.  In general, white wines have a slightly higher sulfite content (about 12mg per glass) than red wines.  Many organic wine makers produce wines with no added sulfites.

What is the average alcohol content in wine?

The alcohol content of wine can vary greatly from one wine to another.  All bottles in the US are labeled with their wine content.  American table wines generally have less than 14% alcohol by volume, while European table wines can range from 8.5 to 14%.  Sparkling wine is generally 8-12% alcohol by volume, while fortified wines like dessert wines, sherry, or port  range from 17-22%.

What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?

All champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are champagnes.  A wine should only be labeled a champagne if it has been produced in the Champagne region of France.  Wines produced in the same way but a different region are often labeled as being produced in the Champagne method, such as the Sparkling Pointe 2000 Methode Champenoise Brut Seduction ($50.)  The champagne method is distinguished by in-bottle fermentation.  Other sparkling wines like the Goose Watch Winery Pinot Noir Brut Rose ($18) or the South Coast Winery Temecula Valley Sparking Syrah ($24) are fermented either in large pressurized tanks or by carbon dioxide injection.

How long is wine good after opening?

If kept properly corked and refrigerated, wines are good for three to five days after opening.

How much will a particular wine differ from year to year?

The difference from one vintage to the next depends on the region the wine was produced in.  Northern European wines differ considerably from one year to the next because of extreme variation in weather and soil conditions.  In Australian, South African, and Chilean wines, vintages are much less varied.  In wines produced commercially, vintages often do not differ at all thanks to the style of blending.  For inexpensive wines, younger wines will have a fresher and more complex taste.

What are the crystals in the bottom of the wine bottle?

The crystals seen in the bottom of a wine glass or bottle are tartrate crystals.  Wine acids, produced as the grapes age on the vine, collect in the wine and settle out as tartrate crystals.  These crystals are not harmful to the taste or quality of the wine.

What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?

There is no difference between a Syrah and Shiraz.  Wines are labeled as a Syrah in Europe, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and most of the United States.  Shiraz was originally used in Australia and is also seen in South Africa and Canada.  To taste the similarities for yourself, try any of these award winning wines:

1. Pedroncelli 2005 Dry Creek Valley Estate Vineyard Syrah ($14)
2. Sequoia Grove Vineyards 2005 Atlas Peak Stagecoach Syrah ($28)
3. Caliza Winery 2006 Paso Robles Russel Family Syrah ($45)