Wine 101

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” Benjamin Franklin

VARIETALS

A natural beverage produced by yeast fermentation of the juice or must of grapes. Popular and accepted as a part of life, meals and culture in most parts of the world, wine has origins that some say date back as early as 1000 BC. Wine has survived droughts, floods, insects, disease, feast and famine for centuries. Perhaps one of the most famous quotes about wine was quoted from Benjamin Franklin who said, “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” Listed below is a listing of some grapes used in the making of wines.

Food and Wine Pairing

Matching wine with food is not really all that complicated. Just think in terms of appealing combinations of flavors, textures and intensities and you have the strategy for making great marriages. For instance, a full-flavored red wine is right for lamb shanks – the wine echoes the taste of food. Sometimes, however, a contrast is equally pleasing. If you add a squeeze of lemon to accent poached trout, it is likely, a tart crisp and light wine will set off the flavors of the fish in a similar fashion.

Following is a guide to help you make such informed decisions. In most situations the food is chosen first, so that is how we have organized our recommendations. For each category there are broad suggestions for the types of wine that will often make the best matches.