We hear a lot about "good wine", but we do not always know about its different types and what really influences the taste of this old and noble drink. There are many factors!
Well - you could write entire epics and scientific treatises about wine (there is even a special scientific field about wines - oenology). However, we will try to briefly familiarize you with why a given wine tastes the way it does. We invite you to read.
Type of wine
The most basic thing is the type of wine itself and its color. We distinguish mainly red, white and rosé (intermediate) wines. Each of these types can in turn be divided into dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet (dessert) wines. This division is determined by the amount of sugar contained in the drink.
Grapevine variety
The type of grape the wine is made of has a key influence on its final taste. And each grape variety and type will differ in taste and aroma. Not to mention wines made from blends of various types of fruit (the so-called coupage). The most popular types of grapes used for the production of red wine are, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and the white ones - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling.
Of course, there are plenty of grape varieties and species. The greatest wine gourmets love to search for extraordinary, local species and varieties from which unique wines are produced.
The weather, or the microclimate
Weather is another key factor in the taste of a wine. It is not without reason that the best vineyards are located in places with a mild and warm climate. The ideal temperature for the wine should not be too high (because the fruit will become too sweet) or too low (the grapes will not ripen then). The number of sunny days should also be adequate - especially during the growing season of the plant.
If the temperature amplitude between day and night is large, wine (especially white wine) may have a more sour taste. In regions where the temperature is not too high and there are few days of sunshine, wine may be low in sugar and have high acidity. Currently, more and more vineyards appear in northern regions of Europe, but the wine produced there tastes different than that from the south of Italy, France or Moldova.
The same grapevines grown on different soils will produce a wine with a different taste. An example is the Croatian grape variety Plavac Mali, which produces a wine of the same name, and a second wine called Dingac. Both are made of Plavac Mali, which are grown exclusively on the Peljesac peninsula. However, 'Plavac Mali' wines come from grapes grown on flat ground, and 'Dingac' is made from grapes that grow on a steep hill by the sea. The latter has a much more intense flavor.
Amount of water
The amount of water, i.e. rainfall, is also important during the growth and maturation of grapes. According to experts, it should be 450-500 mm per year. This facilitates deep rooting of the vines and improves the condition of the fruit, as they use more minerals from the soil. Too much rainfall can again make the vines sweet.
Harvest period and method
The taste of wine is influenced not only by the weather and rainfall, but also by the moment of harvesting the grapes and the method of harvesting. It is best if the grapes are harvested gently by hand. Therefore, every autumn more people work in the vineyards to harvest.
Production and aging method
The very method of production and how the wine is matured has the final effect on the taste of the drink. The methods can be modern or traditional, which affects the final result. The maturation itself is not without significance: how long it lasts (it is not without reason that the older wine is, the better) and how it proceeds. If the wine is aged in wooden barrels, its taste will be influenced by the type and age of the wood used!
Wine is stored for at least several months. This is the minimum amount needed to acquire the proper flavor and aroma. The appropriate temperature is important, it should be stable and amount to 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. That is why wine is most often aged in cellars.
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