Friday, March 23, 2012

Bring Vinitaly To You!


“Hmm I’m getting lots of aggressive tannins in the mouthfeel.”
“Oh, I see what you mean…it’s a bit hard, practically no spice in the midpalate.”

Not sure what it all means? Well this might be just the type of comments that can be overheard in this weekend’s 46th annual ViniItaly wine event in Verona. It is one of the most important exhibitions of wine and spirits in the world. Nearly 150,000 professionals and 4,000 exhibitors will travel from more than 100 different countries. It is four days of conferences, workshops and of course tastings to help establish new business opportunities.  

Can’t make it out to Verona with the other wine enthusiasts? Well you can still sound like one. Our resident wine expert, Melody can show you how. Below are a few wine tasting terms you can consider while swirling your next glass!

Want further tips? Just email us at info@cooking-vacations.com and we can help match all your recipes with the perfect wine. Why not try these notable reds, a 2000 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Giuseppe Quintarelli from Veneto or a 2004 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone Poliziano from Tuscany.  

Tannic- describes wines with lots of tannins, which are natural organic compounds that are found in the grape’s skins, seeds, and stems. They contribute to a feeling of “cotton-ball” or rough/dryness common in strong tea.
Hard vs. Soft- describes the degree of tannins, hard being overly tannic while soft being less tannic.
Acidic or Freshness- acidity in a wine comes from the acids tartaric and citric found in the grape juice. It is felt on the sides of the mouth like with lemons or any sour fruit.
Supple- wines that seem softer and almost milky may have undergone a second fermentation called malolactic fermentation where the acids are converted into lactic acid.
Mouthfeel or Midpalate- the way the wine feels when held in the mouth
Tears or Legs- the colorless streams left inside of the glass after it is swirled, often more noticeable in more alcoholic wines.

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