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For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). A glass of red wine Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermentation of grape juice.[1] The natural chemical balance of grapes is such that they can ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes or other nutrients.[2] Although other fruits like apples and berries can also be fermented, the resultant "wines" are normally named after the fruit from which they are produced (for example, apple wine or elderberry wine) and are generically known as fruit or country wine. Others, such as barley wine and rice wine (e.g. sake), are made from starch-based materials and resemble beer more than wine, while ginger wine is fortified with brandy. In these cases, the use of the term "wine" is a reference to the higher alcohol content, rather than production process.[3] The commercial use of the English word "wine" (and its equivalent in other languages) is protected by law in many jurisdictions.[4] Wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast which consume the sugars found in the grapes and convert them into alcohol. Various varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are used depending on the types of wine produced.[5] Wine is an alcoholic beverage. ... Download high resolution version (428x800, 53 KB) Red wine. ... Download high resolution version (428x800, 53 KB) Red wine. ... Alcoholic beverages An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, although in chemistry the definition of alcohol includes many other compounds. ... Fermenting must. ... This article is about the fruits of the genus Vitis. ... Apfelwein Apfelwein (German, apple wine) is the German form of cider, produced from apples. ... Elderberry Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from brewed elderberries. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fruit wine. ... Barley wine or Barleywine is a style of strong ale originating in England in the nineteenth century (derived from the March or October beers of the 18th century) but now brewed worldwide. ... Rice wine refers to alcoholic beverages made from rice. ... Sake barrels at Itsukushima Shrine. ... For other uses, see Beer (disambiguation). ... Ginger Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from a fermented blend of ground ginger and raisins that was first distilled in England. ... A fortified wine is a wine to which additional alcohol has been added, most commonly in the form of brandy (a spirit distilled from wine). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Fermenting must. ... Typical divisions Ascomycota (sac fungi) Saccharomycotina (true yeasts) Taphrinomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes (fission yeasts) Basidiomycota (club fungi) Urediniomycetes Sporidiales Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with approximately 1,500 species described. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Wine has a long history dating back about 8,000 years and is thought to have originated in present day Georgia or Iran.[6][7] Wine is thought to have appeared in Europe about 6,500 years ago in present-day Bulgaria and Greece and was very common in classical Greece and Rome. Wine has also played an important role in religion since ancient times. The Greek God Dionysos and the Roman God Liber represented wine. Wine has also played an important role in ceremonies in the Christian religion such as mass. For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Bacchus by Caravaggio Dionysus, the name of a god, is occasionally confused with one of several historical figures named Dionysius. ... This article is about the ancient deity. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... For other uses of Mass, see Mass (disambiguation). ... The word "wine" derives from the Proto-Germanic *winam, an early borrowing from the Latin vinum, "wine" or "(grape) vine", itself derived from the Proto-Indo-European stem *win-o- (cf. Ancient Greek οῖνος oînos).[8] Similar words for wine or grapes are found in the Semitic languages (cf. Arabic ﻭﻳﻦ wayn) and in Georgian (ğvino), and the term is considered an ancient wanderwort.[9] Map of the Pre-Roman Iron Age culture(s) associated with Proto-Germanic, c. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) is the hypothetical common ancestor of the Indo-European languages, spoken by the Proto-Indo-Europeans. ... Note: This article contains special characters. ... 14th century BC diplomatic letter in Akkadian, found in Tell Amarna. ... Arabic redirects here. ... A Wanderwort (plural Wanderwörter, German for wandering word, ) is a word that was spread among numerous languages and cultures, usually in connection with trade, so that it becomes impossible to establish its original etymology, or even its original language. ... Contents 1 History 2 Grape varieties 3 Classification 4 Vintages 5 Tasting 6 Collecting 7 Production 7.1 Exporting countries 8 Uses 8.1 Religious uses 9 Health effects 10 Packaging & Storage 11 Professions 12 Film and television 13 References 14 Further reading 15 See also [edit] History Main article: History of wine Wine boy at a symposium. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest wine production came from sites in Georgia and Iran, dating from 6000 to 5000 BC.[10][11] The archaeological evidence becomes clearer, and points to domestication of grapevine, in Early Bronze Age sites of the Near East, Sumer and Egypt from around the third millennium BC.[12] The history of wine spans thousands of years and is closely intertwined with the history of agriculture, cuisine, civilization and man himself. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 630 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,860 × 1,770 pixels, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 630 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,860 × 1,770 pixels, file size: 2. ... Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means to drink together) but has since come to refer to any academic conference, whether or not drinking takes place. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... The Near East is a term commonly used by archaeologists, geographers and historians, less commonly by journalists and commentators, to refer to the region encompassing Anatolia (the Asian portion of modern Turkey), the Levant (modern Israel/Palestine, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon), Georgia, Armenia, and... Sumer (or Å umer; Sumerian: KI-EN-GIR [1]) was the earliest known civilization of the ancient Near East, located in lower Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), from the time of the earliest records in the mid 4th millennium BC until the rise of Babylonia in the late 3rd millennium BC. The term... The very oldest known evidence suggesting wine production in Europe and second oldest in the world comes from archaeological sites in Greece and is dated to 6,500 years ago.[13][14][15] The same archaeological sites in Greece also contain remnants of the world’s earliest evidence of crushed grapes.[16] In fact, several Greek sources as well as Pliny the Elder describe how the ancient Greeks used partly dehydrated gypsum before fermentation and some type of lime after fermentation to reduce acidity. The Greek writer Theophrastus is actually the oldest known source to describe this aspect of Greek wine making.[17][18] For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19th Century portrait. ... Theophrastus (Greek Θεόφραστος, 370 — about 285 BC), a native of Eressos in Lesbos, was the successor of Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. ... In Egypt, wine became a part of recorded history, playing an important role in ancient ceremonial life. Wine was possibly introduced into Egypt by the Ancient Greeks.[19] Traces of wine were also found in China, dating from the second and first millennium BC[20] Part of the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard in Whitehall, London. ... Ancient Greece is the term used to describe the Greek_speaking world in ancient times. ... Wine was common in classical Greece and Rome.[21] The Ancient Greeks introduced vines such as Vitis vinifera[22] and made wine in their numerous colonies in Italy,[23] Sicily,[24] southern France,[25] and Spain.[22] Dionysus was the Greek god of wine and revelry, and wine was frequently referred to in the works of Homer and Aesop. Many of the major wine producing regions of Western Europe today were established by the Romans.[26] Wine making technology improved considerably during the time of the Roman Empire. Many grape varieties and cultivation techniques were known. Barrels were developed for storing and shipping wine.[26] This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Vitis vinifera L. For thousands of years, the fruit and plant of Vitis vinifera, the European grapevine, have been harvested for both medicinal and nutritional value; its history is intimately entwined with the history of wine. ... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... This article is about the ancient deity. ... For other uses, see Homer (disambiguation). ... Aesop, as conceived by Diego Velázquez Aesop, as depicted in the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel in 1493. ... Since Roman times, wine (potentially mixed with herbs and minerals) was assumed to serve medicinal purposes as well. During Roman times it was not uncommon to dissolve pearls in wine for better health. Cleopatra created her own legend by promising Marc Anthony she would "drink the value of a province" in one cup of wine, after which she drank an expensive pearl with a cup of wine.[18] Another medieval application was the use of snake-stones (banded Agate resembling the figural rings on a snake) dissolved in wine against snake bites, which shows an early understanding of the effects of alcohol on the central nervous system in such situations.[18] For other uses, see Agate (disambiguation). ... In medieval Europe, the Christian Church was a staunch supporter of wine which was necessary for the celebration of the Catholic Mass. In places such as Germany, beer was banned and considered pagan and barbaric while wine consumption was viewed as civilized and a sign of conversion.[27] Wine was also forbidden in the Islamic civilization, but after Geber and other Muslim chemists pioneered the distillation of wine, it was used for other purposes, including cosmetic and medical uses.[28] In fact the 10th century Persian philosopher and scientist Al Biruni described a number of recipes where herbs, minerals and even gemstones are mixed with wine for medicinal purposes. Wine was so revered and its effect so feared that elaborate theories were developed which gemstone-cups would best counteract its negative side effects.[18] The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Athanasius · Augustine · Constantine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Arminius · Calvin · Luther · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box... Pagan may refer to: A believer in Paganism or Neopaganism Bagan, a city in Myanmar also known as Pagan Pagan (album), the 6th album by Celtic metal band Cruachan Pagan Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands Pagan Lorn, a metal band from Luxembourg, Europe (1994-1998) Pagans Mind, is... Barbarian was originally a Greek term applied to any foreigner, one not sharing a recognized culture or degree of polish with the speaker or writer employing the term. ... During the Islamic Golden Age, usually dated from the 8th century to the 13th century,[1] engineers, scholars and traders of the Islamic world contributed enormously to the arts, agriculture, economics, industry, literature, navigation, philosophy, sciences, and technology, both by preserving and building upon earlier traditions and by adding many... Jabir ibn Hayyan and Geber were also pen names of an anonymous 14th century Spanish alchemist: see Pseudo-Geber. ... Alchemy in Islam differs from the general alchemy in certain ways, one of which is that Muslim alchemists didnt believe in the creation of life in the laboratory. ... Laboratory distillation set-up: 1: Heat source 2: Still pot 3: Still head 4: Thermometer/Boiling point temperature 5: Condenser 6: Cooling water in 7: Cooling water out 8: Distillate/receiving flask 9: Vacuum/gas inlet 10: Still receiver 11: Heat control 12: Stirrer speed control 13: Stirrer/heat plate... Make-up redirects here. ... In the history of medicine, Islamic medicine or Arabic medicine refers to medicine developed in the medieval Islamic civilisation and written in Arabic, the lingua franca of the Islamic civilization. ... A statue of Biruni adorns the southwest entrance of Laleh Park in Tehran. ... [edit] Grape varieties Main article: List of grape varieties Wine grapes on a vine Wine is usually made from one or more varieties of the European species, Vitis vinifera. When one of these varieties, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Merlot, for example, is used as the predominant grape (usually defined by law as a minimum of 75 or 85%) the result is a varietal, as opposed to a blended wine. Blended wines are in no way inferior to varietal wines; some of the world's most valued and expensive wines from the Bordeaux, Rioja or Tuscany regions are a blend of several grape varieties of the same vintage. This is a list of varieties of cultivated grapes, whether used for wine, or eating as a Table grape, fresh or dried (raisin, currant, sultana). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1060x1600, 209 KB) Wine grapes File links The following pages link to this file: Wikipedia:Featured pictures visible Weinberg Viticulture User talk:Fir0002 Aglianico User:Fir0002/FPCandidates User:Fir0002/Fir0002 gallery/Featured Pictures Wikipedia:Featured pictures thumbs 03 Wikipedia:Featured picture... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1060x1600, 209 KB) Wine grapes File links The following pages link to this file: Wikipedia:Featured pictures visible Weinberg Viticulture User talk:Fir0002 Aglianico User:Fir0002/FPCandidates User:Fir0002/Fir0002 gallery/Featured Pictures Wikipedia:Featured pictures thumbs 03 Wikipedia:Featured picture... In botanical nomenclature, variety is a rank below that of species: As such, it gets a ternary name (a name in three parts). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Vitis vinifera L. For thousands of years, the fruit and plant of Vitis vinifera, the European grapevine, have been harvested for both medicinal and nutritional value; its history is intimately entwined with the history of wine. ... Pinot noir (pi no nwar) is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. ... Oak-aged Chardonnay is particularly popular in the United States. ... Merlot grapes on the vine. ... Varietal describes wines made from a single named grape variety. ... For other uses, see Bordeaux (disambiguation). ... ... For other uses, see Tuscany (disambiguation). ... The Vintagers, after a miniature of the Dialogues de Saint Gregoire (thirteenth century)—manuscript of the Royal Library of Brussels. ... Wine can also be made from other species or from hybrids, created by the genetic crossing of two species. Vitis labrusca, Vitis aestivalis, Vitis rupestris, Vitis rotundifolia and Vitis riparia are native North American grapes, usually grown for eating in fruit form or made into grape juice, jam, or jelly, but sometimes made into wine, eg. Concord wine (Vitis labrusca species). This article is about a biological term. ... Binomial name Vitis labrusca L. Vitis labrusca (Fox grape) is a species of grape native to the northeastern United States. ... Binomial name Vitis aestivalis Vitis aestivalis is any of several varieties of grape native to the United States. ... Binomial name Vitis rupestris {{{author}}} Vitis rupestris is a kind of grape native to the Southern and Western United States. ... Binomial name Vitis rotundifolia Some muscadines in a bowl; the green ones are scuppernongs Muscadines (Vitis rotundifolia) are a grapevine species native to the present-day southeastern United States that has been extensively cultivated since the 16th Century. ... Binomial name Vitis riparia Vitis riparia Michx, also commonly known as River Bank Grape or Frost Grape, is a native American climbing or trailing vine, widely distributed from Quebec to Texas, and Montana to New England. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... Concord grapes are a variety of grape used as both a table grapes and wine grapes. ... Hybrids are not to be confused with the practice of grafting. Most of the world's vineyards are planted with European vinifera vines that have been grafted onto North American species rootstock. This is common practice because North American grape species are resistant to phylloxera, a root louse that eventually kills the vine. In the late 19th century, Europe's vineyards were devastated by the bug, leading to massive vine deaths and eventual replanting. Grafting is done in every wine-producing country of the world except for Chile and Argentina, which have yet to be exposed to the insect.[29] Grafted apple tree Malus sp. ... Grape Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, family Phylloxeridae, superfamily Aphidoidea) is a serious pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America. ... The variety of grape(s), aspect (direction of slope), elevation, and topography of the vineyard, type and chemistry of soil, the climate and seasonal conditions under which grapes are grown, and the local yeast cultures all together form the concept of "terroir." The range of possibilities lead to great variety among wine products, which is extended by the fermentation, finishing, and aging processes. Many small producers use growing and production methods that preserve or accentuate the aroma and taste influences of their unique terroir.[30] In geography, aspect generally refers to the direction to which a mountain slope faces. ... For discussion of land surfaces themselves, see Terrain. ... Typical divisions Ascomycota (sac fungi) Saccharomycotina (true yeasts) Taphrinomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes (fission yeasts) Basidiomycota (club fungi) Urediniomycetes Sporidiales Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with approximately 1,500 species described. ... Terroir was originally a French term in wine and coffee appreciation used to denote the special characteristics of geography that bestowed individuality upon the food product. ... However, flavor differences are not desirable for producers of mass-market table wine or other cheaper wines, where consistency is more important. Producers will try to minimize differences in sources of grapes by using wine making technology such as micro-oxygenation, tannin filtration, cross-flow filtration, thin film evaporation, and spinning cone.[31] In the United States, table wine is used as a legal definition to differentiate standard wine from stronger (higher alcohol content) fortified wine or sparkling wine[1]. In the European Union it is meant to designate the lowest quality level of wine produced, one that qualifies for neither an appellation... Microoxygenation is a process increasingly used in winemaking to smooth out wine and make it more palatable or more marketable (or both). ... [edit] Classification A glass of white wine Main article: Classification of wine Regulations govern the classification and sale of wine in various regions of the world. France has an appellation system which ranges from Vin de Table ("table wine"), through Vin de Pays and Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure (VDQS) up to Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC)[32] and which is based on the concept of terroir [33] (or region of origin) and wine quality. Germany developed a similar system in 2002[34] though this has not yet developed the authority of the French system.[35] Spain[36] and Italy also have a classification which is based on a dual system of region of origin and quality of product.[37] New World wine, that is wines from outside of the traditional wine growing regions of Europe, tend to be classified by grape rather than by quality or region of origin, though there have been subjective attempts to classify by quality,[38] most successfully by Langton's.[39] Download high resolution version (401x800, 58 KB) White wine. ... Download high resolution version (401x800, 58 KB) White wine. ... The classification of wine is normally divided into five categories, with the distinctions among the classes based primarily on major differences in their manner of vinification. ... In the United States, table wine is used as a legal definition to differentiate standard wine from stronger (higher alcohol content) fortified wine or sparkling wine[1]. In the European Union it is meant to designate the lowest quality level of wine produced, one that qualifies for neither an appellation... Vin de pays is the third highest ranking in the French wine system, after VDQS, preceding Vin de table. ... VDQS is an acronym in French standing for Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure (Delimited Wine of Superior Quality), the second highest ranking of wine, after AOC under the French ranking system. ... Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), which translates as term of controlled origin is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National des Appellations dOrigine (INAO). ... Terroir was originally a French term in wine and coffee appreciation used to denote the special characteristics of geography that bestowed individuality upon the food product. ... New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional wine-growing areas of Europe and North Africa. ... Wines are usually named either by their grape variety or by their place of production. Generally speaking, European wines are named both after the place of production (e.g. Bordeaux, Rioja, Chianti, Cotnari) and the grapes used (e.g. Pinot, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot). Wines from everywhere except Europe are generally named for the grape variety. More and more, however, market recognition of particular regions and wineries is leading to their increased prominence on non-European wine labels. Examples of recognized locales include: Margret River, Napa Valley, Barossa Valley, Willamette Valley, Cafayate, Marlborough, Walla Walla, etc. Rioja Wine Rioja is a wine from a region named after the Rio Oja in Spain, a tributary of the Ebro. ... Valdelsa (part of Chianti Colli Fiorentini sub-area). ... Cotnari is a village and the center of the eponymous commune in IaÅŸi County, Romania, in the informal region of Moldova; the commune also includes the village of Cârjoaia. ... Pinot noir (pi no nwar) is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. ... Riesling is a white grape variety and varietal appellation of wines grown historically in Germany (see German wine), Alsace (France), Austria, and northern Italy. ... Merlot grapes on the vine. ... Napa County is in north-central California Napa Valley is most famous for its wine. ... It has been suggested that Barossa Shiraz be merged into this article or section. ... The Willamette Valley The Willamette Valley The Willamette Valley is the region in northwest Oregon in the United States that surrounds the Willamette River as it proceeds northward from its emergence from mountains near Eugene to its confluence with the Columbia River. ... Cafayate is a town located at the central zone of the Valles Calchaquíes in the province of Salta, Argentina. ... Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island. ... Walla Walla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. ... Some blended wine names are marketing terms, and the use of these names is governed by trademark or copyright law, rather than a specific wine law or a patent on the actual varietal blend or process used to achieve it. For example, Meritage (pronounced to rhyme with "heritage") is generally a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and may also include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, while the dôle is made from the Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. Use of the term Meritage is protected by licensing agreements by The Meritage Association. “(TM)” redirects here. ... The copyright symbol is used to give notice that a work is covered by copyright. ... Meritage is a word used to distinguish wines that are made in the style of Bordeaux but without infringing on that regions legally protected appellation. ... Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon at Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. ... Merlot grapes on the vine. ... Cabernet Franc is a red wine grape variety similar to and a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. ... Petit verdot is a variety of red wine grape, principally in classic Bordeaux blends. ... Malbec is a black, mellow grape variety originally grown in France, in the Loire Valley and Cahors. ... [edit] Vintages Main article: Vintage A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown in a single specified year, and are accordingly dated as such. Variations in a wine's character from year to year can include many subtle color, palate, nose, body and aging differences. Many wines, particularly good quality red table wines, can improve in flavor with age if properly stored.[40] Consequently, it is not uncommon for wine enthusiasts and traders to save bottles of an especially good vintage wine for future consumption. Most countries allow a vintage wine to include a portion of wine that is not from the labeled vintage. The Vintagers, after a miniature of the Dialogues de Saint Gregoire (thirteenth century)—manuscript of the Royal Library of Brussels. ... The Vintagers, after a miniature of the Dialogues de Saint Gregoire (thirteenth century)—manuscript of the Royal Library of Brussels. ... In the United States for a wine to be vintage dated (and labeled with a country of origin or American Viticultural Area (AVA), such as "New Zealand" or "Napa Valley") it must contain at least 95% of its volume from wines harvested in that year.[41] If a wine is not labeled with a country of origin or AVA, such as "Napa County", it must contain at least 85% of its volume from wines harvested in that year.[41] An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a delimited grape-growing region distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the United States governments Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). ... Napa County is in north-central California Napa Valley is most famous for its wine. ... Napa County is in north-central California Napa Valley is most famous for its wine. ... Vintage wines are generally bottled in a single batch so that each and every bottle will have a similar taste. Climatic factors can have a dramatic impact on the character of a wine to the extent that different vintages from the same vineyard can vary dramatically in flavor and quality.[42] Thus, vintage wines are produced to be individually characteristic of the vintage and to serve as the flagship wines of the producer. Superior vintages, from reputable producers and regions, will often fetch much higher prices than their average vintages. Some vintage wines are only made in better-than-average years. Non-vintage wines can be blended from a number of vintages for consistency, a process which allows wine makers to keep a reliable market image and also maintain sales even in bad vintage years.[43][44] Recent research suggests vintage year may not be as significant to wine quality as currently thought[45], though wine connoisseurs continue to place a great importance on vintage. The Vintagers, after a miniature of the Dialogues de Saint Gregoire (thirteenth century)—manuscript of the Royal Library of Brussels. ... [edit] Tasting Main article: Wine tasting Judging colour is the first step in tasting a wine Wines may be classified by their primary impression on the drinker's palate. They are made up of chemical compounds which are similar or identical to those in fruits, vegetables, and spices. The sweetness of wine is determined by the amount of residual sugar in the wine after fermentation, relative to the acidity present in the wine. Dry wine, for example, has only a small amount of residual sugar. However, a technically dry wine might taste sweet when it is not. For example, fennel might taste sweet, but does not contain much sugar. Wine degustation is the tasting of wine. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 575 pixelsFull resolution (1364 × 980 pixel, file size: 717 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This version has been released by me to Wikimedia under the GNU Free Documentation License v1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 575 pixelsFull resolution (1364 × 980 pixel, file size: 717 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This version has been released by me to Wikimedia under the GNU Free Documentation License v1. ... The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and vertebrate animals. ... For other uses, see Spice (disambiguation). ... The sweetness of a wine is defined by the level of residual sugar (or RS) in the final liquid after the fermentation has ceased. ... The sweetness of a wine is defined by the level of residual sugar (or RS) in the final liquid after the fermentation has ceased. ... Specific flavors may also be sensed, due to the highly complex mix of organic molecules such as esters and terpenes that grape juice and wine can contain. Tasters will also distinguish between flavors characteristic of a specific grape (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon and blackcurrant) and flavors that are imparted by other factors in wine making, either intentional or not. The most typical intentional flavor elements in wine are those that are imparted by aging in oak casks, and virtually every element of chocolate, vanilla, or coffee is actually a factor of oak and not the native grape.[46] For other uses, see Ester (disambiguation). ... Many terpenes are derived from conifer resins, here a pine. ... Banana flavors (isoamyl acetate) are the product of yeast metabolism, as are spoilage aromas such as sweaty, barnyard, band-aid (4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol),[47] and rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide).[48] Some varietals can also have mineral flavor, due to the fact that some salts are soluble in water (as limestone), and thus absorbed by the vine. Isoamyl acetate is an organic compound that is the ester formed from isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid. ... R-phrases , S-phrases , Flash point 100°C Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references 4-ethylphenol, often abbreviated to 4-EP is a phenolic compound with the molecular formula C8H10O. In wine it is... R-phrases S-phrases , Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references 4-Ethylguaiacol, often abbreviated to 4-EG, is a phenolic compound with the molecular formula C9H12O2. ... Hydrogen sulfide (hydrogen sulphide in British English) is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs and flatulence. ... Wine aroma is the result of the interaction between components of the grapes and those produced during winemaking process, fermentation and aging.[49] Being served at room temperature increases the vaporization of aroma compounds, making the wine more aromatic. For some red wines that are already highly aromatic, like Chinon and Beaujolais, the volatility of the wine makes it better served chilled.[50] Illustration of Chinon, circa 1892 For other uses, see Chinon (disambiguation). ... A Beaujolais label Beaujolais is a historical province and a wine-producing region in France. ... [edit] Collecting Château Margaux, a first growth from the Bordeaux region of France, is highly collectible. At the highest end, rare, super-premium wines are amongst the most expensive of all food, and outstanding vintages from the best vineyards may sell for thousands of dollars per bottle. Such wines are considered by some as Veblen goods. The most common wines purchased for investment include Bordeaux, cult wines and Port. The reasons for these choices over thousands of other products and regions are: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (650x1220, 402 KB) Beschreibung 1994er Château Margaux, Premier Grand Cru Classé Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Château Margaux List of Appellation dOrigine... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (650x1220, 402 KB) Beschreibung 1994er Château Margaux, Premier Grand Cru Classé Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Château Margaux List of Appellation dOrigine... The vineyard of Château Margaux stands as the producer of one of the worlds greatest and most sought-after red wines. ... First Growth (French Premier Cru) status refers to the greatest wines of the Bordeaux region. ... For other uses, see Bordeaux (disambiguation). ... Luxury cars are often stated to be desirable due to their price, which generates a certain amount of status. ... Bordeaux with sub-wine regions A Bordeaux wine is any wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France. ... Cult wines are those for which dedicated groups of committed enthusiasts will pay large sums of money. ... A glass of tawny port. ... They have a proven track record of holding well over time. Their plateau drinking window (the period for maturity and approachability) is of many, many years, when the taster will be able to enjoy the wine at its best. There is a record of quality and consensus amongst experts as to the uniqueness of the wines. Investment in fine wine has attracted a number of fraudsters who play on fine wine's exclusive image and their clients' ignorance of this sector of the wine market.[51] Wine fraud scams often work by charging excessively high prices for the wine, while representing that it is a sound investment unaffected by economic cycles. Like any investment, proper research is essential before investing. False labeling is another dishonest practice commonly used. Wine fraud has probably existed since the earliest trading and commerce in wine, but it appears to increase when there is widespread prosperity and the prices of some wines become very high. ... An abstract business cycle The business cycle or economic cycle refers to the ups and downs seen somewhat simultaneously in most parts of an economy. ... [edit] Production Main articles: List of wine producing countries and List of wine-producing regions Wine production by country 2005[52] Rank Country (with link to wine article) Production (tonnes) 1 France 5,329,449 2 Italy 5,056,648 3 Spain 3,934,140 4 United States 2,232,000 5 Argentina 1,564,000 6 China 1,300,000 7 Australia 1,274,000 8 South Africa 1,157,895 9 Germany 1,014,700 10 Chile 788,551 11 Portugal 576,500 12 Romania 575,000 Wine grapes grow almost exclusively between thirty and fifty degrees north or south of the equator. The world's most southerly vineyards are in the Central Otago region of New Zealand's South Island near the 45th parallel,[53] and the most northerly is in Flen, Sweden, just above the 59th parallel.[54] The following is a list of wine producing countries and their volume of wine production for the year 2003 in metric tonnes. ... This list of wine-producing regions catalogues significant growing regions where vineyards are planted. ... A tonne (also called metric ton) is a non-SI unit of mass, accepted for use with SI, defined as: 1 tonne = 103 kg (= 106 g). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Portugal. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Romania. ... World map showing the equator in red In tourist areas, the equator is often marked on the sides of roads The equator marked as it crosses Ilhéu das Rolas, in São Tomé and Príncipe. ... The area known as Central Otago in Otago, New Zealand, includes the middle of the region but generally also most of the north-western portion (the Queenstown-Lakes District). ... The South Island The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. ... Flen is a Municipality in Södermanland County, in central Sweden. ... [edit] Exporting countries The 15 largest exporting nations (2005 figures) – Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Chile, the United States, Germany, South Africa, Portugal, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia and Argentina. California produces about 90% of the wine in the United States. In 2000, Great Britain imported more wine from Australia than from France for the first time in history. This article is about the U.S. state. ... Top ten wine exporting countries in 2005 Rank Country Hectolitres ×1000 1 Italy 15,100 2 Spain 14,439 3 France 13,900 4 Australia 7,019 5 Chile 4,209 6 United States 3,482 7 Germany 2,970 8 South Africa 2,818 9 Portugal 2,800 10 Moldova 2,425 TOTAL 78,729 2003 Export market shares Rank Country Market share 1 France 22% 2 Italy 20% 3 Spain 16% 4 Australia 8% 5 Chile 6% 6 United States 5% 7 Portugal 4% 8 Germany 4% Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Portugal. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Moldova. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Portugal. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... [edit] Uses Wine yearly consumption, per capita:      less than 1 litre.      from 1 to 7 litres.      from 7 to 15 litres.      from 15 to 30 litres.      More than 30 litres. Wine is a popular and important beverage that accompanies and enhances a wide range of European and Mediterranean-style cuisines, from the simple and traditional to the most sophisticated and complex. Wine is important in cuisine not just for its value as a beverage, but as a flavor agent (primarily in stocks and braising) in which its acidity lends balance to rich savory or sweet dishes. Red, white and sparkling wines are the most popular, and are also known as light wines, because they only contain approximately 10-14% alcohol. (Alcohol percentages are usually by volume.) The apéritif and dessert wines contain 14-20% alcohol, and are fortified to make them richer and sweeter than the light wines. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 30 KB) Summary Wine yearly consumption, per capita: less than 1 litre. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 30 KB) Summary Wine yearly consumption, per capita: less than 1 litre. ... The word drink is primarily a verb, meaning to ingest liquids, see Drinking. ... See the individual entries for: Austrian cuisine British cuisine Bulgarian cuisine Croatian cuisine Czech cuisine Danish cuisine Finnish cuisine French cuisine German cuisine Greek cuisine Hungarian cuisine Italian cuisine Lithuanian cuisine Polish cuisine Romanian cuisine Russian cuisine Spanish cuisine Ukrainian cuisine Categories: Cuisine | European cuisine | Western cuisine | Food and drink... For cuisine, see Cuisine of the Mediterranean. ... Cuisine (from French cuisine, cooking; culinary art; kitchen; ultimately from Latin coquere, to cook) is a specific set of cooking traditions and practices, often associated with a specific culture. ... For other uses, see Stock (disambiguation). ... Braising (from the French braiser) is cooking with moist heat, typically in a covered pot with a small amount of liquid which results in a particular flavor. ... Sour redirects here. ... Look up Sweet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Campari apéritif. ... Dessert wines (or pudding wines) are sweet wines typically served with dessert, such as Sauternes and Tokaji Aszú. Despite the name, they are often best appreciated alone, or with fruit or bakery sweets. ... The labels on certain bottles of wine suggest that they need to be set aside for an hour before drinking to breathe, while other wines are recommended to be drunk as soon as they are opened. Decanting is a controversial subject in wine. In addition to aeration, decanting removes some of the bitter sediments from the bottle. Sediment is more common in older bottles but younger wines benefit more from the aeration.[55] Decantation is a process for the separation of mixtures, carefully pouring a solution from a container, leaving the precipitate (sediments) in the bottom of the container. ... During aeration, the exposure of younger wines to air often "relaxes" the flavors and makes them taste smoother and better integrated in aroma, texture, and flavor. Wines that are older generally fade (lose their character and flavor intensity) with extended aeration.[56] Breathing, however, does not benefit all wines, and should not therefore be taken to the extreme. In general, wine should be tasted as soon as