White wine is popular because of its refreshing attributes, but one thing, which everyone knows, is that white wine is not actually white. The colour of white wine can vary from palest yellow to deep golden and through every hue of the very palest of greens and yellows. The colour of white wine is derived from its parent grape variety. White wines are made from both red and green grapes of the vitis vinifera group; for all grape juice is white, the red colour coming from the pigmentation in the skins of black grapes.

Ideal Occasions of Drinking White Wine

White wine is a very versatile and may be drunk at diverse events by adults of all ages. People love to drink white wine at most occasions. Its refreshing nature makes it an ideal welcoming drink at parties and celebrations. White wine is an ideal aperitif and it can be consumed with snacks, picnics, light lunches, small dinners or even at great banquets. Although the old belief that white wine with white meat always holds true, it is, after all, a matter of taste and wine, of any colour, should be enjoyed with any food as your own taste dictates. Hing

White Wine – Types and Flavours

There are hundreds of styles of white wine; they may be categorized according to their principal grape variety, the country of origin or the making process. Among the most recognised of white wines are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc – all names of grape varieties. White wines have many in different and distinctive flavours which may vary from (and through) the tastes associated with Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Pineapple, Melon, Butter, Honey, Floral, Herbs and soil!

White Wine Serving Guidelines

White wine should be served in a clear glass and avoid using a glass that has already been used for red wine. Glasses with a fullish bulb and narrow neck are ideal for serving white wine because it allows better concentration of aroma. The ideal temperature for serving white wine is from 45F to 50F. The American love of very cold wine is not wrong but over chilled wines run the risk of losing their flavour. It is also important to pay attention to the choice of cuisine. Seafood, poultry dishes, pork, or recipes with cream base are best suited to white wine.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

To the purist, wine is an alcoholic drink made from the fermentation of grapes. Grapes have a property of fermentation without the addition of any enzymes, sugars, acids or other elements. Wine is produced after the fermentation of crushed grapes using different types of yeasts that consumes sugar found in grapes and converts that sugar into alcohol. Wine can be made using almost any fruit and a number of vegetables too. The resultant wine is usually named according to its principle ingredient.

Types of Wines

According to number of grapes species used in wine making, there are two types of wine:

1. Varietal Wines – The wine, which is made primarily from fermentation of a single grape variety, is known as Varietal Wine. You can identify the type of grapes used in making of a particular varietal wine from printed label. One fine example of a varietal wine is Red Burgundy, made after fermentation of the single variety of ‘Pinot Noir’ grapes.
2. Blended Wines – Blended Wines are made from fermentation of two or more varieties of grapes. Example of blended wine is Red Bordeaux, known in the UK as ‘Claret’, which is blended from of up to five varieties of grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

Blended wines are in no way inferior to varietal wines. Some of the world’s most valued and expensive wines, like those of Bordeaux depend on the blend to ensure their outstanding qualities.

Vintage Wine

Vintage wines are made from grapes grown in a single year, which will be specified on the label. The percentage of grapes used in making vintage wine can vary according to the country of origin. In US, it’s mandatory for a vintage wine to contain at least 95% of wine volume from grape varieties harvested in that single year, if it’s labelled with country of origin. Whereas if it is not labelled with country of origin then the limit is reduced to 85% of wine made of grapes grown in a single year. These wines are generally bottled in a single batch to maintain similar taste in each bottle. The price of vintage wines is generally higher than that of non-vintage wines but price should not be relied on as an indication of quality.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

The history of wine is thousands of years old. Man has been making and drinking wine from ancient times. The earliest known wine jar, discovered in China, dates from around 5200 BC whilst Iran makes claims dating back 7400 years. Along with wine making, wine tasting is also a very old tradition but it is only in relatively  modern times, as wine has become readily available to the masses, that wine tasting  has become a popular pursuit not just  among wine makers and wine lovers but, increasingly, as a form of entertainment for the wider public.

Need for Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting is a necessity  for wine makers; in order to decide the assess the quality and character of their wine. ost wineries will organize regular wine tasting events and invite wine tasting experts to assess the qualities and excellence of the wines produced by them. Wine tasting at an early stage, just after production, is very important because it needs real expertise, knowledge and experience of wine tasting to discern a wine’s destiny. Novices cannot judge the real subtleties of wine, as it takes a  sound  knowledge of the wine to distinguish them on the complex basis of colour, clarity and smell. Only Wine tasting experts can make these judgments. It is often after the first round of Wine Tasting events that the wineries decide the price of their wines, according to quantity, quality, taste, longevity and availability. Thus wine tasting sessions hold high importance for the industry professionals.

Corporate Wine Tasting Events

Corporate Wine Tasting Events are becoming more and more popular in recent years. Companies are increasingly using such events for networking, celebrating special occasions, for high priority business dealings and even for internal team building initiatives. Thus wine tasting has become acceptable as educational entertainment that can be allied to a strong work ethic.

Special Wine Tasting Events

These days there are several organizations, arranging wine tasting events for corporate customers, special occasions and some will undertake private parties and gatherings. It is now becoming something of a trend to hold Wine Tasting Events as part of a private celebration and the best Wine Tasting Events service providers working well to achieve the right balance of education and entertainment

Wine Tasting Experts

Wine Tasting has become a glamorous career option for many people these days. There are various programs offering Wine Tasting lessons or regular classes to Wine Tasting Enthusiasts and there is no shortage of opportunity for a talented wine tasting expert to make his or her mark working with a winery, a wine shipper, wholesaler, retailer or join the team arranging a private or corporate wine tasting event.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

Drinking has become a part of almost any social gathering. It has become a tradition now to have a drink at every happy occasions. In the West, sensible drinking is now socially acceptable. On such occasions some people drink alcohol without judging their drinking limits, resulting in embarrassing and often regrettable behaviour. Studies show that over 60% of all road accidents happen as a result of drinking alcohol.

To avoid such situations, and enjoy the taste as well as effect of wine, you need to know and stay within your limits, never go beyond them. If you heed this simple advice, you will always enjoy yourself and avoid those pitfalls associated with over-indulgence of alcohol.
Alcohol directly affects the nervous system and even a little amount of alcohol can be harmful. Under the influence of alcohol, people are deceived into believing that they are within their safe limit of drinking wine, but the truth is different. There is no safe limit when it comes to wine or any other alcoholic drinks. If you are driving or operating machinery of any kind, the best advice is to avoid alcohol.

There are different levels of alcohol intake for men and women, based on medical and scientific researches. We should remember that there is no level of drinking that is safe for everyone of us, all the time. There are several factors to be considered like health, age and weight. Individual will power is a major consideration, too.  For some people, the only safe option is no alcohol.

Modern science has taught us that women should avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking is directly related to the Body-Mass Index (BMI) of people. Thin people should avoid drinking alcoholic drinks. After drinking people should avoid any activities that might involve decision making, like driving, boating, scuba diving, or operating complex machinery.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

Denbies is Great Britain’s largest and most tourist-friendly winery.  Although the UK is one of the smallest wine producers in the EU, it is often considered to be the hub of the international trade in wine and, as a result, has a thriving industry stretching from importers and bottlers through to freight forwarders and retailers. The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) was established in 1824 representing all elements of the supply chain.

Grape Varieties of UK

Principal grape varietals grown in England and Wales are Reichensteiner, Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau and Seyval Blanc. Most of which are almost unknown to most British wine drinkers. Out of the top ten countries of origin for UK imports, six are outside the European Union. Australia is the largest exporter to the UK, accounting for 2.5 million hectolitres in 2004. They are followed by France, which accounts for 2.3 million hl and the USA which accounts for 1.5 million hl. The UK is the second largest importer by volume in the EU, very closely behind Germany. Despite currently showing a total of 362 registered vineyards, comprising of 923 hectares, in England and Wales, English and Welsh wines account for less than 1% of the total wine sold in the UK

UK Quality Wine Scheme

The UK introduced its Quality Wine Scheme in 1991. The motive was to help market the best English and Welsh wines. Wines submitted to this scheme must meet strict criteria covering demarcation of production areas, vine varieties, cultivation, winemaking methods and maximum yields. They must also be subjected to an analytical test assessing physical and chemical components of the wine, as well as an organoleptic tasting.

Wines meeting these strict criteria can display the phrase ‘English Vineyards Quality Wine psr’ or ‘Welsh Vineyards Quality Wine psr’ on their label. The system is not dissimilar to that of the French Appellation Controllée system. PSR means Produced in Specified Regions.

UK Regional Wine Scheme

The UK Regional Wine Scheme was introduced on 1st April 1997. According to that scheme, wines must meet certain analytical and organoleptic criteria but the rules are less strict on use of vine varieties.

UK producers may operate under the rules of both the  UK Quality Wine Scheme and the UK Regional Wine Scheme. The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) is the main producer association representing the majority of UK vineyards. English Wine Producers (EWP) is a voluntary group of leading English vineyards working in close association with the UKVA.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

“Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used – Shakespeare”
Food and wine often cast as a rather mysterious and unique division of science, but it really is not as mysterious as it seems to be. Wine in the UK can be dated back to Roman times. There were numbers of vineyards in England by the time of the Norman Conquest, most of them attached to monasteries and great houses. The areas of concentration were the coastal areas of the southeast, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The first commercial vineyard in modern times was established at Hambledon in Hampshire in 1951 but significant development in the UK wine industry has been in not much more than the last 30 years.
Climate for wine agriculture
The Wine Industry is based on the farming of grapes. According to the geographical conditions, the UK is not suitable for commercial grape production, being too far north. Most of the successful vineyards in the UK are southern England and Wales where, in some parts of southern England, the subsoil is chalk or limestone and has similar geology to that of the Champagne region in France.
Vine varieties

The main grape varieties planted in the UK are Reichensteiner, Bacchus, and Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau and Sylva Blanc; very few of which are names that the average British wine drinker would be familiar with.
British Wine: English and Welsh wine must be produced from fresh grapes grown in the UK, whereas British wine is a form of ‘made wine’ which can be manufactured in the UK and Ireland from imported grapes, grape juice, grape must or a combination of these. Although ‘made wine’ products can be called ‘wine’ they must be prefixed with a term such as British, Mead, Fruit, Tonic etc. These products are not governed by the EU Wine Regime.

With all difficulties of climate and latitude,  there are more than 250 commercial vineyards in the UK ranging in size from a few square metres run by small-scale hobbyists to large wineries run by commercially astute wine producers.

Best English Wines:
1. Nyetimber: widely regarded as one of the best English wineries.
2. Curious Grape: Brand name of the UK’s largest (and probably best) producer, New Wave Wines.
3. Three Choirs: Sizeable operation in the Midlands making some well priced and tasty wines.
4. Davenport: The UK’s leading organic producer, making fresh, bright, full-flavoured whites.
5. Denbies: In Surrey’s North Downs, this is the largest producer with some interesting wines.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

Knowledge is always important and useful, no matter what kind of application there will be for that knowledge in future. It is always good to seek out and absorb knowledge about anything you are interested in. Acquiring knowledge about wine is useful. The pleasure of having some knowledge about, as well as the pleasure of drinking, a good wine is something to enjoy. When you’re drinking, it’s nice to know what varieties of grape went into the wine, when and where it came from, what process went into the making of that particular wine, aand, indeed, who made it? If you have some knowledge about the wine while drinking it, it might well add to your understanding and appreciation of what is in your glass. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn the type of wine you are drinking, where it was made, and its vintage.

People who are not that much aware about wines are scared off by just the mention of the descriptions of wine. Such people think they are novices and will be unable to appreciate a wine. Their ignorance may even prevent them from enjoying wine. The best way to learn about different wines and to experience them in the best possible manner is to keep tasting better wines! If you are not a wine expert, or you are unable to recognise their variety and know anecdotes about wine, you may not know which wines to select but that should not stop you from enjoying wine whenever it is placed in front of you.

If you have some knowledge of wine aromas and flavours, and familiarity with a range of wines, look out for opportunities to taste similar or better wines from the same region. Don’t forget that there are three important things to look for in all wine, tthese are aroma (bouquet), taste (palate) and colour. With a little effort and a keenness to differentiate using these three attributes, you can become a wine tasting expert. When tasting a particular wine, you should ask yourself, how does this wine compare with others from the same varietal, from different vineyards in the same region, from the same producer in different years? There is no doubt that comparative knowledge, based on tasting experience, can enhance your tasting pleasure.

However, it is also possible that such knowledge can detract from your tasting pleasure. No matter how well you can discern and discriminate various aromas and flavours, overindulgence in any wine will tend to decrease your ability to enjoy them. Always make yourself aware of the alcohol content of a wine and only ever drink sensible quantities.
For more details, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is the sensory examination and assessment of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards. Wine tasting is an art and not every person can be a perfect wine taster. One needs to have a very fine sense of smell and taste, together with the ability to distinguish subtle colour differences.  Experience of tasting several wines of different aromas, grapes and blends is essential.

Learning Wine Tasting

It is not too tough to learn the art of wine tasting. You do not need to be an avid drinker, but you should have the three basic senses as stated above, 1) ability to discern subtle colour differences 2) a keen sense of smell, and 3) a keen sense of taste. If you have these three qualities then you only need some dedication and extra bit of interest in this art form. If you have knowledge of different wine varieties, their areas of production and the wine making process, along with knowledge of the grapes used in making wine, then that will surely be a helpful factor in assessing the quality of a wine as well as enabling you to make judged comparison with other varieties available.

It is easy to learn the practice of wine tasting and if you already enjoy wine, learning the nuances will increase the pleasure that you get from tasting and drinking wine.

Appearance – The colour of wine is a major deciding factor, it varies tremendously even in same type of wines. Therefore, wine should be poured in a clear glass in front of a white background to appraise the colour of wine. It is a fact that a white wine is not actually white. Its colour can vary through shades of green, yellow or brown. Deeper colours in white wine often indicate greater flavour and advancing age. Similarly, red wines are not just red. They can be pale red and range from almost purple to deep brown red; the colour usually becoming lighter with growing age. With time, many red wines may improve but generally age will ruin most white wines. Do seek sound advice if you intend to buy wines to store for more than a few months.

Smell (Bouquet) – Move the glass of wine in your hands in a circular motion, this releases molecules in the wine allowing you to smell the aroma. Take a light sniff first and catch the aroma of the wine properly, then take a deep whiff and concentrate on the depth of aroma. Do not try to taste it too early. After tasting and smelling several wines, you will start to notice the similarities and differences that exist between them.

Taste (Palate) – The most important deciding factor of any wine is its taste. The balance between fruit and acidity is a vital factor. Initial taste, and aftertaste, both are important. Give proper attention to both and note whether it is light or robust? Is it smooth or harsh? After swallowing wine, feel how long the flavours last in your mouth. Was it pleasant?

These are three deciding factors in wine tasting. The more diverse the selection of wines you try, and the more attention you pay to each wine, the better you will become at ascertaining and describing each wine’s characteristics. If you really want to become an expert wine taster, you should visit wine tasting events in your area or arrange a wine tasting event at home for a few like minded friends.

Winelines is a UK based wine seller, which aims to expose the mystery that surrounds wine tasting as well as wine making, storing and serving. Winelines have presented an array of wine tasting events, from private wine tastings entertaining friends in the Home Counties, to Corporate Wine Tasting Competitions.

For more information on wines and wine tasting events in and around London, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk

A growing number of home winemakers are searching for information on quality grape varieties to grow in the backyard. Selection of the right varieties is important and several can be found in trade literature, university publications, nursery sales catalogues and over the Internet.

Wine can be produced from any grape of the Vitis Vinifera family but some varieties are better suited for winemaking than others in terms of their acid, sugar, flavour and aromatic components. Varietal wine produced from red French hybrids (e.g., Chambourcin, Leon Millot, Foch, DeChaunac, Baco Noir) will have robust aromatic flavors and full-body expression of tannins. White French hybrids (e.g., Seyval, Vidal, Vignoles, Traminette) tend to have a fruitier taste than do reds. You may pick up a peach, apple, apricot or even banana flavours and have floral aroma as you swirl and sniff the wine. The tannin flavours commonly found in red wines are due to phenolic compounds extracted from grape pips, skins and stalks during the crush and fermentation. They provide a strong, distinct taste in the mouth. Some may describe it as bitter or pungent and others may view it as a full-bodied character found in dry to semi-dry wines produced from French hybrids

Europeans developed French hybrid grapes through very successful plant breeding programs. The intent was to improve insect and disease resistance in grapes, using American rootstock, without losing wine quality. This required very careful selection for taste, aroma and resistance genes

Vinifera varieties are the best for producing excellent wines. Gardeners who wish to grow high quality wine grapes can rely on Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or Pinot Gris vines to plant in their backyards. Resistance to diseases and insects is an important factor to consider when planting out your first few hectares of vines. Advice – join a local support group and listen carefully to all the advice that you can get.

Winelines was founded by Martin de Rusett, an established Wine Merchant and lecturer in London. The Company aims to expose the mystery that surrounds wine tasting as well as wine making, storing and serving, in order to educate and entertain.

For more details, visit: http://www.winelines.co.uk