Wine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation and crushing of grapes. The grape juice is placed in open wooden vats, steel tanks, or oak barrels. The natural sugars and yeast in the grape juice interact to create ethanol or alcohol.

Wine is traditionally labeled and categorized by the type of grape varietal, the wine maker or wine house who makes it, the country and region from which it is grown, and the year it was produced.

Wine is a complex beverage with flavor profiles that range from strong and dry to light and sweet. Some wines in the world, when stored properly, can last for decades and actually improve with aging in the bottle. Wine has a long and vibrant history with over 10,000 documented grape varietals in the world.

Wine is produced in countries all over the world. France is the largest producer of wine followed by Italy, Spain, United States, Argentina, Australia, China, South Africa, Chile and Germany.

Pairing food with the proper wine allows the tastes and flavors to compliment each other. Commonly red wines are paired with savory or spicy dishes and white wines are paired with lighter or fruitier flavors. http://wineintro.com/food/

• Chardonnays are often found served with seafood or chicken dishes.
• Riesling wines are served well with spicier foods.
• Sauvignon Blanc is paired with foods such as duck, goose or shellfish.
• Pinot Grigio and Italian dishes compliment each other well.
• Chianti can be served with ham recipes.
• Pinot Noir accompanies meat dishes well whether they be red or white meats.
• Zifandel and chocolate are a complimentary pair.
• Cabernet Sauvignon is a universal flavor that is found accompanying white meat, duck, chicken or chocolate
• Merlot is also a universal flavor that is commonly paired with red meat, chocolate, chicken and other foods.

1. Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Merlot
3. Pinot Noir
4. Zinfandel
5. Syrah
6. Cabernet Franc
7. Malbec
8. Grenache
9. Nebbiolo
10. Sangiovese
11. Tempranillo
12. Chardonnay
13. Sauvignon Blanc
14. Chenin Blanc
15. Riesling
16. Gewurztraminer

• University of California, Davis (UC Davis): Viticulture and Enology Program