The Basics

 

The foundation of understanding and enjoying wine starts here


Currently a total of 15 articles posted here.  

Simple Wine Math
The equation is so easy: Grape juice + yeast = wine + carbon dioxide.  Let's dive in a little deeper to truly understand what's happening chemically here.

Why Grapes?
You can actually make wine from a number of different fruits.  So why were grapes finally chosen to drive the industry?

Summarizing the Winemaking Process
A quick journey through the classic process used by a vast majority of winemakers.

Red vs. White
Why there are primarily two colors of wine and how they're made that way.

The Big Six
The major stars of the wine world, these grapes are all known by their famous names.

How Did They Get the Wine to Smell and Taste Like...?
Here's a hint: the winemakers don't mix chocolate, citrus, coffee or butter into the wine.

The Importance of Tannin and Acid
These natural ingredients in grapes make all the difference in the end product.

The Effects of Alcohol
Despite the more obvious answer, the level of alcohol in the wine impacts taste and appeal.

Achieving Balance in Wine
Why the finest wines in the world have a harmony of multiple elements.

Tour of the Winemaking World
A quick look at the biggest winemaking countries on Earth, plus some up-and-comers making a name for themselves.

Drink Like a Pro
If you hadn't already noticed, the proper wine drinking technique is the name of our website. Learn that technique here.

The Correct Way to Hold Your Glass
Or, as we like to say, the stem is your friend.

New World vs. Old World
What these terms mean and how it translates into their wines.

Common Tasting Terms
A quick list of the wine tasting terms that are thrown around all of the time by wine lovers.

Getting the Bubbles into Bubbly
If you've ever wondered how Champagne gets its tiny, amazing bubbles, we explain the lengthy process here.



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