Reidel Vinum Wine Glasses
What is Wine?
The first known wines date back to 6,000BC and are thought to have originated in what is now Israel, Georgia and Iran. Making its first European debut approx 4,500BC in what is now Greece wine quickly became a common drink in ancient Greece and Rome with the modern word wine deriving from “winam”, an early borrowing from the Latin “vinum” meaning wine or grape.
Wine is made from fermented grape juice. The chemical balance of grapes allows for fermentation without any nutrients or sugars, acids or enzymes being added.
Various types of yeast consume the sugars found in the grapes and convert them into alcohol. Different grape varieties are combined with different yeast strains to produce different kinds of wine. It’s not just grapes that are used either. Fruits like apples and berries can also be fermented, and the “wines” that result are normally named after the fruit they come from and are generically known as “fruit wines”.
Red, white and sparkling wines are known as light wines. They are the most popular partially because they are only 10-14% alcohol-content by volume. Aperitif and dessert wines contain 14-20% alcohol. They are sometimes fortified to make them richer and sweeter.
Varietals – A wine made principally from one variety of grape and carrying the name of that grape.
Wine is usually made from one or more Varietal of Vitis Vinifera, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Merlot. When the predominant grape is one of these varieties in a mixture defined by law as a minimum of 75% or 85%, the result is a Varietal. This is different from a blended wine. Blended wines are not considered inferior; in fact, some of the world’s most valued and expensive wines that come from regions like Bordeaux and Tuscany are blended from different grape varieties of the same Vintage.
Vintages
Vintage wines are made from grapes that are exclusively grown in a specific year, and they are labeled this way. A vintage wine’s character can vary yearly with subtle differences in colour, palate, nose, body and development. A high-quality red table wine’s flavour improves with age if properly stored. Consequently, it’s common for wine enthusiasts and traders to save bottles of an especially good vintage wine.
Vintage wines are generally bottled in single batches so that each bottle will have a similar taste. Climate can also impact the character of a wine. Different vintages from the same vineyard can vary dramatically in flavour and quality. Thus, vintage wines are individually characteristic of the vintage and serve as the producer’s flagship wine. Superior vintages, from reputable producers and regions, will often fetch much higher prices than their average counterparts. Some vintage wines, like Brunello, are only made in better-than-average years.
For consistency, non-vintage wines can be blended from more than one vintage. This process allows wine makers to maintain a reliable market image and sales even in bad years.
Terrois or Terreni (territory) refer to specific areas. It’s a concept that includes several items like the grape varieties, elevation and shape of the vineyard, the nature of the soil, climate and seasonal conditions as well as the local yeast cultures.
Regulations
The classification and sale of wine is governed all over the world. European wines tend to be classified by region (e.g. Bordeaux and Chianti), while others are often classified by grape (e.g. Merlot, Chardonnay). However, regional recognition is leading to increased prominence for some wine labels. Some blended wine names also double as marketing terms, and these names are governed by trademark or copyright laws rather than by specific wine laws.
Giorgio Castiglioni is the founder of the Italian Vino Network.
He was born in Somma Lombardo, a small city northwest of Italy and at 13 years of age Giorgio started in the hospitality industry working as a Squinizzo (gofer) in a local restaurant. During this time he learned many aspects of the restaurant business.
His passion and love for food and beverages encouraged him to study in the renowned Hotel School “E Maggia” of Stresa on the shores of the stunning Lago Maggiore where he obtained a diploma in Hotel Management, specializing in Food and Beverage.
His passion and the need to create a place for Italian wines lovers everywhere was the inspiration for developing Italian Vino Network ……an Italian wine club for all wine lovers.
Visit The Italian Wine Network
http://italianvino.ca
info@italianvino.ca
Should I decant?
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Riedel Vinum, Set of 6 plus 2 Bonus Glasses This Riedel Vinum stemware set is an amazing value at 8 glasses for the price of 6. The glasses in this set of eight were specifically designed to bring balance and harmony into medium bodied, crisp white wines such as chardonnay, semillion, and chablis. The design of the bowl directs the wine to the area of the palate that will highlight the rich fruit while balancing its moderate acidity. Each g… |
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Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses, Set of 2 $35.00 Renowned Austrian glassmaker Riedel designs the shape of each glass to most fully enhance the appreciation of the liquid within. Seeking the expertise of master distillers in Scotland, Riedel came up with its definitive single malt whiskey glass: a deep bowl on a short, pedestal stem. With its flared lip and curved profile, one can even imagine the bowl resembling a Scottish thistle. Perfect for a… |
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Riedel Vinum Burgundy/Pinot Noir Glasses, Set of 2 $39.95 Riedel Vinum Wine Glasses make every drop of wine taste its best. Riedel revolutionized glassware by customizing the shape of wine glasses to a particular type of wine. Each wine glass is fine-tuned to direct the flow of the wine onto parts of the palate that will best express the flavors and aromas of a specific wine varietal. The fine crystal offers superb clarity so you can experience the wine’… |
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Riedel Vinum XL Pinot Noir Glass, Set of 2 $49.90 A bold adaptation of Riedel’s popular Vinum stemware line, XL incorporates the same varietal-specific shapes into larger sized silhouettes for a dramatic effect at the table or bar. Each piece is machine-made of premium 24-percent lead crystal to combine the brilliance and clarity of fine glass with a welcomed affordability that makes it perfect for everyday use. With gently curved bowls perched o… |
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Riedel Vinum XL Cabernet Glass, Set of 2 $59.95 A bold adaptation of Riedel’s popular Vinum stemware line, XL incorporates the same varietal-specific shapes into larger sized silhouettes for a dramatic effect at the table or bar. Each piece is machine-made of premium 24-percent lead crystal to combine the brilliance and clarity of fine glass with a welcomed affordability that makes it perfect for everyday use. With gently curved bowls perched o… |
