UU Wh by Ed Martinez, Head of The wine tasting event was truly unique in the sense that before that night, | didn’t think that a plethora of other complexities could occur within a topic that many of us, including myself, consider mundane. This isa quick recap of the knowledge shared by sommelier Mr. Lukas Reitterer during the event. COLOR The most basic level of complexity of wine is based on what color grape is used Red wines are made up of red to dark purple grapes. This dark color is produced by the presence of tannins, the red brownish bitter-tasting element in the skin of the grapes. Red wines usually undergo @ maturing process to soften the tannins. White wines are made up of grapes that do not have tannins, therefore having a green color.THE PREMIUM SUITE ©COL PREMIUM Left: Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety that is used to make red wine Right: Semillon grape for white wines MOUTHFEEL When going to a wine store for the first time, a sommelier (a wine expert) may ask you whether you prefer adry or sweet wine. This distinction denotes the age of the wine and the rate in which the sugar molecules are converted to alcohol because of the fermentation. Older wines tend to be on the dry side, having had time to ferment, while younger varieties are sweeter since only some fermentation have taken place. GRAPE VARIETIES You can also enjoy different varieties of wine based on the grape varieties that were used. The most basic red wines are: a. Cabernet Sauvignon /Ca-burr-nay so-veen-yaw/. This is widely accepted as one of the world’s greatest grape varieties, and usually undergoes oak treatment. Young wines may have a very strong, acidic greeting due to its tannins but as the wines age in oak, its natural flavors of green bell pepper, blackcurrant, and tobacco are complemented by natural wood flavors such as vanilla and spice. b. Cabernet Franc. Also a very popular grape variety, Cabernet Franc is similar to its cousin, the Cabernet Sauvignon. However, this is a grape variety with lower tannins and hence has a more pronounced perfume with notes of blackcurrants, raspberries, graphite, and violets. Likewise, the Cabernet Franc carties green bell pepper notes, but with a smoother mouth feel. Merlot /Mare-lo/, Because of its thinner skin, higher sugar, and low tannin levels, Merlot wines are smoother than the aforementioned varieties, making it a good introduction to first time red wine drinkers. The more common white wine varieties are: 1. Chardonnay /Shar-do-nay/ wines are normally dry with a wider-bodied, velvety feel, with rich citrus flavors like lemon and grapefruit. Fermentation in oak barrels adds a buttery tone to this wine, with vanilla, toast, and toffee. b, Sauvignon Blanc /So-veen-yawn-blahn/ are wines that, like the Chardonnay, have a velvety feel with adcled herbal characters of bell pepper and freshly mown grass. «Semillon /Say-mee-yohn/ grape is used to make wines that are also softened in oak barrels, and which may exude flavors of lemon, lime, and yellow grapefruit. Because of the fermentation in oak. it can also have flavors like butter, pie crust, and cream, Semillon is noted forits berry-lke flavors, whichis softened when combined with other grape varieties like the Sauvignon Blane.MUL (©COL PREMIUM WORLD OF WINES Old world wines are those that are from the classic wine growing regions in Europe: France, Italy, and Spain. New world wines are those coming from the United States, Argentina, Australia, and South Afr characteristics, which is determined by the grape varieties that are grown in them. ca. Each region has their individual Sa Sight. Lookat the color of the wine. A good wine should be translucent with no residue or cloudiness. For red wines, the younger vintages have a brighter red while older wines have a darker red to bluish color when the glass is tilted. For white wines, aging brings about a darker shade of yellow. Swirl, The act of swirling the wine is when you spin it to adhere to the walls of the glass. Experts can tell the alcohol content by looking at its legs or the lines that adheres to the side of the glass. Swirling also allows the wine to release its flavors. Ee ga Seat Cree omen Beare Rar Cu a eect ym cription of the bottle. Pee nu een ial way to sip by incorporating a quaffing) to taste it better. Either throug Ree RCs es