The Vinifera experts get to work on dispelling those myths…
7) Rosé wine is a mixture of red and white wine
This can be true in certain regions of the world. Rosé wine can however be made using any one of three different methods.
The first method is to let the grape juice come into contact with the red skins for a very limited period of time. Therefore instead of becoming a red wine, it becomes a Rosé.
Another method is to take the juice out early (‘saignée) in the production process to produce a lighter coloured red, also rosé.
The third method is to simply mix red and white wine. Its colour would be pink or lighter red, however some would argue that its characteristics would be less refined or elegant than those rosés of the South of France. This has been up for debate in the EU, but it seems the traditional methods in France and the rest of Europe are winning. Many people still want to drink a wine where the winemaker has aimed his grape harvest, the ripeness, the varieties and their production methods all to optimise the production of rosé, rather than simply creating a rosé as a by-product. Some even go as far as to say that one would be better off buying a light red rather than a low-quality rosé.
6) Screw caps are for low quality wine
The type of closure on a wine is more important to fit its purpose and style rather than its quality. Once again quality is not only measured by price or aging potential.
Many traditional style classic wines will have cork closures of some form while everyday wines might more often have screw caps or synthetic corks. Also one might prefer to give a bottle with a natural cork as a present or enjoy at a dinner rather than one with a synthetic cork or screw cap.
The fact is that screw caps and other synthetic materials age the wine differently, yet if a wine is meant to be drunk young, why increase the risk of spoilage by using a cork? It is the TCA compound which is responsible for the so-called ‘corked’ wines in about 5% of wines.
Nevertheless it seems screw caps are actually becoming the norm rather than the minority with regular wine drinkers. They are less expensive to use, give the winemaker and drinker the reassurance of no cork taint and are easier to open and close. Synthetic corks on the other hand let in too much air, causing the wine to age prematurely and therefore need to be drunk young. Therefore the cork made from trees, although invented many hundred years ago, seems to be good for a certain range of wines until hybrid corks and screw caps are perfected.
What about caps normally seen on beer bottles? These are interesting in that they can pop like a champagne cork but seal a wine like a screw cap – watch out for our feature…
5) The Languedoc in France only has mass produced wines of low quality
Firstly the Languedoc has traditionally been called the “wine lake” due to the large amounts of wine produced there. It is also true that these amounts have tried to be reduced. However ‘underrated’ and ‘value for money’ would better describe these wines in today’s wine world. The Languedoc is attracting the wine drinkers of today, yet many of its sub-regions can seem confusing. This area is worth exploring however, as it brings a refreshing “new world” feeling to a high calibre wine producing country.
Also, as in the heading the phrase ‘mass produced; was used on purpose. There is a difference between producers who make large amounts of wine for cheap production and the total production of a region. It is true that the Languedoc has many mass produced wines, however it also has many interesting producers within its sub-regions, varying in style. Again, a good way to discover what the region really has to offer is to explore the vineyards and find ‘recoltants’ or ‘vignerons’ who produce their own wine from start to finish.
It can also help to go away from the AOC wines and try the Vin de Pays, which can often lead you to more interesting varietals which can compete with other top regions and international grape varieties.
4) Wine becomes better with age
It is definitely true that wine, unlike other beverages, does not stay still, but instead evolves and progresses all the time. Fine wines mature through their lifetime and reflect the progression at each point in their lifetime until they reach a plateau. The shape of this path and its steepness into the peak is different for every grape, wine and vintage.
Wine aging depends on many factors. Both the great Bordeaux ‘grand Cru’ wines full of tannin require aging to reach full potential, yet many wines such as Rosé need to be drunk young ,or even immediately in the case of the Beaujolais Nouveau. Most wines however are meant to be drunk within a few years, as the winemakers simply do not make their wines with the intention of requiring aging.
Most people think of red wines when it comes to aging and storing wine, yet some of the world’s oldest wines are white. Sauternes, Riesling and vintage Champagne are examples of old white wines. In the shelves of wine shops it is becoming increasingly clear which wines are meant to be drunk young. Screw caps, synthetic corks, and, even more dramatically, plastic bottles labelled with easily recognizable grape varieties can give a clear indication of their purpose.
3) You will certainly enjoy an expensive top-growth wine
It should be quite certain that one would enjoy a top wine, however there is a time and a place for both fine wines and more ordinary wines, as wines can both be drunk by themselves but also enhance food and experiences.
There are many factors that come into play with expensive wines which not every wine drinker might appreciate, or even know how to look out for. Older, more expensive wines have their whole history built into their taste. It could be argued that wine is an intellectual experience whereby the culture, characteristics and vast range of flavours all contribute to your overall appreciation. Thereby the more one knows how to appreciate these characteristics, the greater the experience. However, the best summer rosé or light red wine can bring lasting memories if enjoyed on the right occasion with good friends.
Therefore, knowledge of fine wines can enhance the experience, yet for around £20 one can already buy wines which are very high quality indeed, and if from smaller producers, can be full of character. The prices for the top wines also rise exponentially as there is always demand for the limited quantity ‘best of the best’.
Most important of all, know your preferences. Experiment with new varieties, and above all be able to enjoy good, interesting wines.
2) Red wine with meat, white wine with fish
Red wines are indeed good with steaks, however many lighter red wines also go well with darker fish. Many people simply drink red wines with fish or seafood because they prefer red wines from their region. No rules in wine should be set in stone, rather wines are a matter of personal taste. However, white fish can taste metallic if combined with reds full of tannin and should be avoided.
On the other hand you cannot really go wrong with a Chardonnay paired with seafood or chicken. But again this depends on the sauces and what type of Chardonnay we are talking about.
1) The “best” wines are of course available in shops, at least the more expensive ones
This can be true if one regards the fine, expensive wines as the best. This certainly makes sense, as there exists a worldwide consensus on which wines are top quality. However for these, one might need to buy from an auction or through specialist shops.
Wine shops try to pick out wines that will sell the best and which their customers will enjoy, but how can you say which one is the “best wine”, when there is such a vast amount of wine in the world?
Next time you visit a vineyard, ask the winemaker which one is “his best wine”. You might very well find that it will not be easy for him to say which one is the best. But this does in no way mean that one of his wines does not clearly outsell the others, or achieve a much higher retail price. And by no means does this only apply to French wines. There are many undiscovered wines, some of them due to their newly established nature.
As an example the “Le Piane Boca 2004” from the Boca region in northern Piemont, Italy is such a wine. This was voted as one of the top 3 wines of Italy in its price category in the spring of 2009. However this wine is yet to sell in the UK. Try for yourself to see if you agree with the Sommeliers Association ‘Duemilavini’.
Perhaps “the best wine” choice should be left for each individual to decide for themselves.
