|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Wine FAQ
Buying wine
- How
much of what I pay is for the wine itself?
Most of the costs on a bottle of wine are fixed, including packaging
(corks, labels, capsule, carton, bottle - 77c), bottling (19c) and
distribution (62c). The government takes 44% of the cost of the wine
in tax and
duty. The rest goes on the retailer's margin (approximately 30%). So
the more you pay for a bottle of wine, the more is going on actual
wine.
What makes one wine more expensive than another?-
-
how the wine is produced
(hand-picking, use of oak etc. adds to the cost)
-
the origin of the wine
(some vineyards are very small and unique - this can push up the price because
of supply and demand)
-
demand for specific grape varieties
( Pinot Noir is more expensive and difficult to produce than Chardonnay and
less of it is available but demand is high)
The most crucial factor in a wine's pricing is the level of demand
- if a producer can sell his wine 10 times over, then he is in a position
to command a premium price for his product.
How do I spot a quality wine?
At the simplest level, there are two main indicators of quality:
balance and length; i.e. the component parts of the wine all complement
each other and the flavour of the wine persists once it has been swallowed...
Price alone is not an indicator of quality.
On a label, what does Grand Cru or Premier Cru Classé mean?
Classifications like these are a way of grading vineyards or properties
in terms of quality. Terms such as 'Grand Cru' mean different things
depending on which region the wine comes from. The information on labels
can give you clues to what the wine will taste like, in addition
to the alcohol content, vintage,
name of the vineyard or name of grape variety.
How important is the vintage?
Improved wine-making technology means disastrous vintages are now
relatively uncommon. More often, one simply encounters different styles
of vintage; for example, in Bordeaux, 1997 is a lighter, forward vintage
in comparison with 1996 or 1995. In marginal climates, vintage variation
is more prominent and is a good indicator of style.
Why are many wines aged in oak barrels?
Firstly, wood, unlike concrete or stainless steel, is porous and
consequently allows the wine to be subjected to controlled oxidation.
This leads to the tannins softening over time and the wine becoming
more fully integrated. Secondly, it is used to impart a flavour and
taste to a wine when used judiciously.
What factors determine the type of oak ageing?
-
the size of the barrel affects the maturation process (the smaller
the barrel the more rapid the oxidation)
-
the age of the barrel (and the length of time the wine spends in it is also
an important factor - the older the barrel the less intense the flavour it
imparts)
-
the length of time the wine spends in barrel (the longer, the more intense
the oak flavours)
-
where the oak was grown - French oak gives vanilla and butter flavours, whereas
American oak gives more molasses and intense vanilla.
Which wines benefit from oak ageing?
Wines made from Chardonnay are commonly oak aged. Dry or sweet wines
made from Sauvignon and Semillon blended together can also benefit.
Many reds improve with oak ageing. The average Cru Classé property
in the Médoc uses 75% new oak each year, while in Burgundy a lower
proportion of new wood is generally employed. Oak barrels are used
extensively in Australia and California.
How should I order wine in a restaurant?
Make use of the advice of the wine waiter, if there is one. First
choose your food and then decide on your wines.
- When the bottle arrives, check the following; vintage (often changed
without warning), name of the wine, producer.
- Check that the temperature
is satisfactory. It is better for both reds and whites to be too
cold than too warm. Don't be embarrassed to
ask for an ice bucket to chill both whites and reds.
- Make sure that
each bottle is opened in front of you and that red wines are decanted
at the table.
- When invited to taste the wine, do so. Don't be rushed,
do the following: look at it (it should be clear and bright), smell
it (it
should smell
clean and fresh), taste it (it should have no off-flavours).
- If there
is anything wrong, don't hesitate in saying so immediately.
When planning a party, how much should I allow
per person?
Obviously this depends on the size and type of the party but you
are unlikely to go wrong if you allow approximately a bottle of wine
per head... Most wine merchants allow you to buy on sale or return
which makes deciding quantities less fraught.
|
