Ordering wine can be an intimidating experience, especially if you are not familiar with the terminology. However, understanding a few essential terms can enhance your wine experience and help you communicate your preferences to servers and sommeliers. After all, wine is about joy, and being able to describe what you enjoy is an important part of the experience.
Understanding Wine Types
Before diving into ordering wine, it is essential to know the basics. The primary wine types: red, white, rosé, and sparkling. Each type offers unique flavors and characteristics:
- Red Wine: Made from dark-colored grape varieties, red wine is fermented with the grape juice and skin incorporated so the color, flavor, and tannin structure from the grape skins impact the wine’s final expression. Most red wines are aged in oak barrels for greater refinement and complexity of flavors and aromas. Red wines can range from bold and tannic to light and fruity.
- White Wine: White wines are made from light-colored grapes and typically do not ferment alongside the grape skins. These wines are usually fermented inside stainless steel tanks where oxygen exposure is limited, resulting in a refreshing tasting experience often featuring fruit or floral notes.
Oaked white wines are less common, but just as popular (i.e., California Chardonnay). These white wines are fermented in contact with oxygen and therefore offer a fuller body and a rich range of flavors and aromas. - Rosé Wine: A blend of red and white wine making techniques are used to produce rosé wines. Most rosés are made from dark grapes, but the grape skin is only fermented with the juice for a few hours or a few days. This is similar to red wine production because it lends a touch of color, flavor, and aroma to the wine. Typically, the wine then finishes its fermentation in a stainless steel tank to retain the crisp qualities of a white wine with varying sweetness levels according to the winemaker’s preference.
- Sparkling Wine: Known for its effervescence and palate cleansing acid levels, sparkling wine can be enjoyed on its own or with food. There are several styles of sparkling wine production, with the most common being the traditional method made famous by the winemaking region of Champagne, France.
In this method, a finished white wine receives a dose of sweet wine and yeast inside its bottle before being sealed. This step encourages a second fermentation that will suspend the carbon dioxide gas (i.e., a natural byproduct of fermentation) within the wine for natural, elegant bubbles. Also accomplished through second fermentation is a deeply complex, yet well rounded, range of flavors and aromas that often remind tasters of freshly baked bread or toasted nuts.
Key Terms to Use When Ordering Wine
To effectively communicate your wine preferences, familiarize yourself with these terms:
1 – Body
The “body” of a wine refers to its weight and fullness in your mouth (i.e., similar to how skim milk and heavy cream feel different). It can be categorized as light-, medium-, or full-bodied. For example, a light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc contrasts with a full-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon.
2 – Tannins
Tannins are compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that contribute to a wine’s structure and astringency. They temporarily make your mouth feel dry, which can be a very good thing when pairing with high fat food (i.e., beef, cheese, butter, etc.).
Tannins can also be found in oak barrels. Red wines are most often associated with tannins because they fermented with the grape skins and aged in oak barrels. Interestingly, tannins change over time. A young red wine can feel dry and firm because it contains sharp tannins. As the wine ages, those tannins polymerize (i.e., to form longer molecular chains) and soften. This explains the expression, “aged like fine wine.”
3 – Acidity
Acidity gives wine its crispness and freshness. Acid makes your mouth salivate, hence the descriptor “mouthwatering.” There are five naturally occurring types of acid found in wine grapes. Each grape variety contains different amounts of these acids. Wines described as “high-acid,” such as Riesling and Chianti, are often bright and zesty due to the naturally high acid content of the grapes. On the other hand, low-acid wines, like oaked Chardonnay or Viognier, feel rounder and softer.
4 – Sweetness
Wines can range from dry (i.e., bone-dry) to sweet. If you enjoy sweetness, look for terms like “medium dry” and “off-dry” (slightly sweet) or “dessert wine” (very sweet). For tasters who do not enjoy sweetness with their wine, stick with “dry.”
5 – Region
Now we start getting into more advanced wine knowledge. Wine regions significantly impact flavor profiles. For example, a Pinot Noir from Burgundy has different characteristics than one from Oregon, while an Oregon Pinot Noir is very different compared to one produced in California, and so on. The reasons for the variation is partly due to climate and soil conditions and partly because winemaking techniques are regulated differently from region to region.
Asking about the region can help you choose a wine that suits your palate. What is the best way to learn about each region’s characteristics? The answer is a fun one; Taste more wine! And ask more questions.
6 – Vintage
The vintage indicates the year the grapes were harvested. Weather conditions during that year can affect a wine’s flavor, aroma, and depth of hue. It can also impact the amount of natural acid present in the wine as well as the alcohol level and tannin concentration. Knowing which vintage (within a specific region) you enjoy can guide your selection. The best way to learn about vintages? Again, taste more wine! This is very fun homework.
How to Communicate Your Preferences
When you are ready to order, follow these tips to communicate effectively:
- Be Specific: Instead of saying you like “red wine,” mention specific characteristics you enjoy, such as “I prefer a medium-bodied red with fruity notes and moderate tannins.” Yes, you can work your way up to more and more detail as your tasting awareness strengthens.
- Ask for Recommendations: Do not hesitate to ask the server for suggestions based on your preferences. You can say, “I like white wines with tangy high acidity. What do you recommend?”
- Inquire About the Wine List: If the restaurant has a wine list, review it to see if any descriptions resonate with you. Look for keywords like “crisp,” “fruity,” or “oak-aged.”
- Try Before You Buy: Many wine shops and upscale restaurants offer tastings. If you are unsure, ask if you can sample a wine before committing to a full glass or bottle.
As you become more familiar with specific producers you enjoy, plan a trip to that producer’s tasting room to taste a flight. This not only strengthens your familiarity of the winery’s portfolio, it helps increase your knowledge of its winemaking philosophy, too. Many winery hosts spend time discussing the wines with the tasters, and can make suggestions for other producers in the area that make wine you may like. Plus, wine tasting makes for an enjoyable vacation activity! - Be Open to New Experiences: While it is empowering to know what you like and be able to articulate it, be open to trying new wines. Ask your server about similar options to expand your palate. The world of wine is very large and always evolving.
Ordering wine does not have to be daunting. Or at the very least, it should not be. By understanding key terms and knowing how to express your preferences, you can confidently navigate wine lists and make informed choices. Put a few of these tips into practice to help you enjoy the perfect glass of wine tailored to your taste. Remember, wine is about joy. You should be drinking wines you enjoy. Go ahead and advocate for your preferences. Cheers!