When you are truly impressed by a wine, some extraordinary blend, all your thoughts will break their boundaries, your eloquence will expand to unimaginable limits, and you will feel yourself in a new, magnificent, and grand world. You will discover within yourself such a talented wine connoisseur that you could not even imagine.
One evening at a family dinner, we were sharing the day's news, chatting, laughing, and suddenly my eldest son, upon hearing my remark that I had tested a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the 2022 vintage, was extremely surprised and asked, "How is that possible? Can a vintage be that young? And in general, can we talk about wines not from France or Italy having a vintage too?" (It should be noted that at 25, he is a dynamic entrepreneur thriving in Silicon Valley. His healthy lifestyle, insatiable curiosity, and extensive connections make him a source of potential and novelty).
Of course, he got his answers... And then he suddenly says, "Could you teach me to talk about wine freely, professionally, and elegantly in 5-7 minutes? Because from time to time, I celebrate deals with partners, gift wine bottles for occasions, and I like good wines myself, but I don't develop this topic in conversations. Now I realize I want to!"
What is this?! Since birth, my son has been pushing me to "getting outside the house"—a phrase coined by Benjamin John Saunders, the youngest polar explorer to reach the North Pole alone on skis. At the time, Saunders suggested on X (Twitter) that inspiration and growth come from "stepping away from what’s comfortable... In life, we all have tempests to ride and poles to walk to, and I think metaphorically speaking, at least, we could all benefit from getting outside the house a little more often, if only we could sum up the courage."
Thank you, son! Challenge accepted... Responsibility clear...
Speak Freely by Understanding the Logic and Structure of Wine Basics
No matter what anyone says, wines around the world are divided into 3 types: white, rosé, and red (including sparkling, orange, fortified, and dessert wines). We already "record" them in a certain type with our eyes.
White Wine Colors: straw, lemon, gold, amber (usually dessert).
Rosé Wine Colors: rose petals, salmon, orange.
Red Wine Colors: purple, ruby, garnet, brick-brown (usually fortified).
Color Intensity: pale, medium, deep.
For example: "This exquisite deep ruby wine is as captivating as your elegant manicure."
Unlocking Wine Wisdom in Just 7 Minutes by Understanding Wine's Core Elements
Imagine mastering the art of wine tasting in the time it takes to enjoy a glass. This is the promise of "Wine Wisdom in Just 7 Minutes." Understanding wine isn't about memorizing endless facts; it's about grasping a few key concepts that allow you to speak freely and confidently about any wine. By focusing on these core elements, you can unlock wine wisdom in just 7 minutes, allowing you to appreciate and describe wine with ease. Whether you're talking about the crisp acidity of a Sauvignon Blanc or the robust tannins of a Cabernet Sauvignon, this knowledge will serve as your foundation.
The Science of Tasting by Decoding Sweetness, Acidity, Tannins, and Alcohol – Wine Wisdom in Just 7 Minutes
On the palate, the most interesting part begins—a whole research institute.
Sweetness: zero dosage, extra brut, brut (all three only for champagne or sparkling), dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, sweet (dessert and many fortified wines).
Acidity: low, medium, high. You'll gauge its level by how much your mouth waters, like from lemon juice. High-acid wines cause a slight tingling on the tongue and can be called refreshing or invigorating, while low-acid wines feel soft and smooth. Acidity affects the wine's aroma and color, contributes to long and quality aging (important for investments in "blue chip" Amarone della Valpolicella), and protects the wine from diseases (bacteria do not survive in such an environment).
Tannins: low, medium, high levels give the drink an astringent taste and allow the wine's flavor to unfold gradually. Tannins are almost absent in white wine, and in red or rosé, their quantity depends on the grape variety, growing location, weather conditions, and winemaker's creativity.
Alcohol: low, medium, high levels contribute to the wine's body. High alcohol activates pain receptors, causing a sensation of heat and burning, and can make the wine feel heavier in the mouth. Low alcohol may make the wine seem watery unless it has another component, such as sugar, which also contributes to the wine's body.
Body: not to be confused with the divine bodies from the PIRELLI calendar! You can describe the body of wine as light, medium, or full, understanding that this is the overall impression of how the wine feels in the mouth. The body is created by the wine's structural components—sugar, acidity, tannins, and alcohol—working together.
Flavor intensity: light, medium, pronounced. Generally, flavor intensity matches aroma intensity. However, warming the wine in the mouth can enhance spice sensations and, conversely, mute floral aromas.
Finish: this is the collection of sensations that remain after swallowing the wine, and the duration of the finish indicates quality. The finish can be short, medium, or long.
The cherry on top of wine analysis is determining its quality level: poor, acceptable, good, very good, impressive. Consider balance (the harmonious relationship of acidity, sweetness, tannins, and alcohol), flavor persistence, clearly defined aromas, and complexity. These are the four criteria for evaluating wines on a 100-point scale, like Robert Parker and Wine Spectator do.
For example: "One of my vivid impressions from holidays in Tuscany was Brunello di Montalcino—a full-bodied and complex wine. The flavor usually includes notes of dark cherry, plum, and blackberry, complemented by hints of leather, tobacco, and earthy tones. With robust tannins, bright acidity, and a long elegant finish, it showcases impressive quality."
Speak Like an Expert - Wine Wisdom in Just 7 Minutes
As in any business segment, winemakers, sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts have their own vocabulary that identifies you as "one of them" or just "passing by." By confidently using these 12 lexical items, you will draw the spotlight of your conversation partner:
Vintage: the year the grapes were harvested to make the wine. A wine with a specified year on the label can be called a vintage wine.
Blend/Cuvée: wine made by blending different grape varieties or vintages to create a balanced and unique flavor.
The most famous blends in the world:
Bordeaux Blend: combining in different compositions several traditional grape varieties of the French Bordeaux region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Champagne Blend: sparkling wine combining Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grape varieties to create a balanced and complex flavor profile.
Amarone della Valpolicella Blend: a combination of indigenous grape varieties Rondinella, Corvina, and Corvinone from the Italian Veneto region makes this wine truly a masterpiece.
Millésime: champagne from a specific vintage year. If the harvest year was exceptionally good, the wine is made only from that year's grapes. The year will be indicated on the label.
Terroir: unique environmental factors shaping the wine's character. These include soil composition, planting specifics, and microclimate. Terroir can be considered the wine's retina.
Grand Cru: a vineyard of outstanding quality and perfect reputation. Its name is indicated on the label. These are the rarest wines of Burgundy or Alsace that age well in the bottle.
Grand Cru Classé: the best wines from the best Châteaux (estates) of French Bordeaux. This classification was established in 1855 at the request of Napoleon III.
Château: a wine producer making wine from grapes grown on its own land, not purchased.
Decanting Wine: the process of pouring wine from a bottle into a special decanter for aeration (oxygenation) or separating the wine from sediment.
Lehmann Glass: impeccable glasses with the finest curves that gently highlight the complexity and richness of the terroir.
For example: "The terroir of Grand Cru Classé Château Figeac is perfectly expressed in the 2015 vintage."
The Art of Describing Wine
Speak elegantly: simply but nobly; calmly but gracefully; smoothly but energetically—the main thing is naturally for you. Yes, exactly for you—ignite every spark of your imagination, creativity, knowledge—whatever is closer to you at the moment.
Example: "Every sip of Jacques Lassaigne Millésime Brut Nature 2010 was exceptional. This vintage champagne resembles a rare, perfectly coded software version, reflecting the unique terroir and climatic conditions of that year. The sandy-diamond hues sparkling in the Lehmann glass helped me recover after hours spent in front of the screen. The complexity of aromas and flavors—vivid citrus, toasted bun, and delicate minerality—unfolds with the precision and elegance of finely tuned Python."
Applying Wine Wisdom in Just 7 Minutes to Real-Life Scenarios
Whether you’re choosing a wine for a business dinner, gifting a bottle to a friend, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, applying this wine wisdom in just 7 minutes will make you the go-to person for wine advice. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to impress your guests or even elevate your personal enjoyment of wine.
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