If you have ever felt curious about this legendary drink, are just starting in this wonderful universe, or consider yourself a true enthusiastwinelover, you’re in the right place to learn the language of getting started in the world of wine. With this article, Bodegas Enrique Mendoza invites you to delve into an exciting universe where aromas and flavors intertwine in a unique experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner and feel that talking about wine is like trying to decipher a hieroglyph, or if you already have some knowledge and want to deepen your understanding—here you will find the essential concepts to begin or continue your wine journey. So, pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine Enrique Mendoza /strong> and get ready to discover a world full of nuances and surprises!

Decoding the mystery of wine

It’s time to start speaking the language of wine without fear. Below, we present some of the most basic and common terms to guide you through this unique world. We also introduce some interesting terms that will help you impress your friends or family and become a true expert:

• The varieties: Grapes are the stars of the show. Get to know the differences between Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Monastrell, Merlot, and many other varieties. Each one has its unique personality.
In this realm, an interesting concept is that of “coupage”. It is a French term used to refer to the technique of blending different grape varieties or different types of already fermented wines as part of the winemaking process. Winemakers perform true magic by creating combinations to achieve a unique and balanced flavor.

• The type of wine: starting with the basics, we find that wine can be red, white or rosé, based on the varieties that have been used in its production. However, when referring to wines, we also use a wide range of adjectives that describe some of their qualities.

For example, we talk about still wines, those whose fermentation process does not produce carbon dioxide,or sparkling, which have dissolved gas, achieved through a second fermentation in the bottle itself. On the other hand, if we talk about lightness we are referring to a wine with low alcohol content, or in the opposite case, for a wine with high alcohol content, we would talk about warm.

A wine could be dry, demisweet or sweet; as well as harsh or smooth, depending on the astringency it presents (the greater the sensation of dryness it produces in our mouth when drinking it, the more astringent, or harsher, it will be). To refer to its.structure, we will use adjectives such as weak or light for wines with little character, or on the contrary, we will talk about full-bodied or robust wines for wines that are well-defined. Have you ever heard of the”layer” of a wine? This term refers to the intensity of its color. A wine can have a light, medium, or high layer, which often indicates its concentration and body.

• The ageing: it is defined as the aging time of the wine, both in barrel and in bottle. Depending on its aging, we find young and fresh wines, while others are mature and complex. The most common terms used to refer to wines based on their aging are: young wine, crianza wine, reserva wine, and gran reserva wine.

The young wines which, after fermentation in barrel, have not undergone an aging or maturation process. They are ideal wines to accompany appetizers or light meals thanks to their fresh and lively flavor. For their part, the crianza wines are aged (in the case of reds) for a minimum of 24 months, 6 of which must be in barrel. These are wines with a more complex personality, deeper, and perfect for meals with more body.

Talking about the reserva wines we refer to wines aged for at least 3 years, of which 12 months must be in barrel. Their unique elegance makes them highly sought after among wine lovers winelovers and reserved for special occasions. Finally, the crown jewel are the wines gran reserva, which age for 60 months, with at least 18 months in barrel. These are wines of great exclusivity and uniqueness, as they are not produced every year. So, now you know, if you get your hands on one of them, you’ll be a great privileged!

Tasting, a celebration for the senses

Tasting is the experience where we observe the color, smell the aromas, taste, and feel the texture of the wine in our mouth. It’s the moment to engage our senses and let our imagination soar to perceive all the aromas and flavors of the wine. To dive deeper into the stages that make up the tasting process, we invite you to read our post about the wine tasting experience.

Although tasting is a subjective experience, where we encourage you to let yourself go and exchange opinions with your companions, below we recommend some terms that are interesting to know in order to enjoy a memorable wine tasting:

• Varietal wine: it is the type or types of grape that have been used to produce the wine being tasted in the tasting session.

• Bouquet: it refers to the scents perceived when smelling the wine, such as fruits, flowers, or spices. We could say that it is like the orchestra of aromas in a wine.

• Tannins: “Tannins” are compounds found in wine that can make your mouth feel a bit dry and astringent. They are the element that gives the wine its texture and structure, and whether the wine is harsh or smooth depends on them.

• Tears It refers to the droplets that can be observed on the walls of the glass after swirling the wine. Their way of falling resembles tears, which is where their name comes from. They can indicate the wine’s viscosity and alcohol content.

• Terroir: this term encompasses all the geographic and environmental characteristics that influence grape cultivation and, therefore, the qualities of a wine, giving it a unique personality that reflects the influence of its surroundings. Soil type, climate, topography, sun exposure, and other natural factors affecting the vineyard are included within the concept.

• Decantation: In the context of wine tasting, decantation is the act of allowing the wine to breathe. To decant a wine, it is necessary to pour it into a special container that will enable it to “open up” and reveal all its nuances.
• Vertical tasting: No, we’re not referring to a tasting involving acrobatics or handstands, but rather a tasting in which several vintages of the same wine are sampled. This allows one to appreciate its evolution over time and discover its aging potential.

Pairing: The Seventh Art

Pairing is the art of combining food and wine, highlighting flavors and creating a harmony that elevates the gastronomic experience. At Enrique Mendoza Wineries, we like to define it as the exciting quest for the perfect wine and food combination. If you want to become a true gastronomic wizard and discover the perfect pairings for Enrique Mendoza wines, we encourage you to visit our post on pairing suggestions to enjoy at home gourmet gastronomic experience.

We didn’t want to finish our little glossary of enological terms without including some of the most relevant and interesting terms related to pairing:
• Harmony Pairing: It refers to the type of pairing we all know, which involves combining wines and foods that share similar characteristics, seeking a sublime harmony in these combinations. Commonly, we talk about pairing red wines with red meats, white wines with fish, sweet wines with desserts, and so on.

• Contrast pairing: This type of pairing is for the bravest, those who seek a contrast. It involves combining wines and foods with opposing flavors that can complement each other very well. For example, a fresh, acidic sparkling wine with spicy sushi. The explosion of contrasts can be truly exciting!

• Vertical Pairing vertical tastings can gain an extra layer of uniqueness when we pair them, that is, when we taste the same wine from different vintages alongside the same dish to observe how the differences between the years affect the pairing. You’ll need to engage all your senses to discover the subtle nuances!

Now you’re equipped with an arsenal of curious and fascinating terms that will help you explore the world of wine in depth and express yourself like a true expert. But remember, in the enological universe, there are no wrong answers! The sensations that wine provokes are subjective; it’s a personal adventure full of surprises. Therefore, at Enrique Mendoza Wineries, we encourage you to combine these terms with your own vocabulary if it helps you feel more comfortable and express yourself better.

Cheers, and enjoy your journey through the world of wine!