Wine appreciation is a hobby that involves learning about and enjoying wine with your senses. It can enrich your life by enhancing your dining experiences, expanding your cultural and artistic horizons, and connecting you with other wine lovers. To get started, you just need to taste and drink different wines and explore the world of wine through books, blogs, apps, events, or courses.
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Wine Appreciation
as a hobby
Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.
Ernest Hemingway
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We curated content to familiarize you with wine appreciation as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
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In a sample of more than 6,000 blind tastings, we find that the correlation between price
Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better? Evidence from a Large Sample of Blind Tastings. Journal of Wine Economics
and overall rating is small and negative, suggesting that individuals on average enjoy more expensive wines slightly less.
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Wine Classification
Geographical Indications
- Appellation: A legally defined geographical area, derived from the French word for “designation,” where grapes are grown for wine production. It establishes specific regulations regarding grape varieties, winemaking practices, and quality standards to ensure authenticity and protect the origin of the wine.
- Quality wines produced in specified regions: (often abbreviated as quality wines psr, QWpsr, or simply “quality wines”) A quality classification used within European Union wine regulations. The QWpsr category includes wines with protected geographical indications (PGI) and protected designations of origin (PDO).
- Protected geographical indication (PGI): PGI emphasizes the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. For most products, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the region. In the case of wine, this means that at least 85% of the grapes used have to come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is actually made.
- Protected designation of origin (PDO): Product names registered as PDO are those that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made. Every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region. For wines, this means that the grapes have to come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is made. While PDO is an EU designation, wine bottles are labeled with equivalent indications according to their country of origin. For example: France – AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. Labeled as Cru, Premier Cru or Grand Cru); Italy – DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita); Spain – DO (Denominación de Origen) and DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada).
- Table Wine: Typically refers to lower-quality wines in the European Union, below Quality Wines Produced in Specified Regions (QWPSR). In the United States, it denotes unfortified wines with an alcohol content between 7% and 14% by volume. Table wines are often produced from various regions, may be blends, and are usually non-vintage, making them suitable for everyday consumption.
Vinification Methods and Style
- Sparkling: Wines containing noticeable levels of carbon dioxide, resulting in effervescence. They undergo a secondary fermentation process, either in the bottle (traditional method) or in a tank (Charmat method), which produces the characteristic bubbles.
- Still: Wines that do not contain significant amounts of carbon dioxide and thus lack effervescence. These wines undergo a single fermentation process and are the most common type of wine produced.
- Dessert: Sweet wines typically served with or as dessert. They are often made from grapes left on the vine longer to concentrate sugars, or by stopping fermentation before all sugars are converted to alcohol. Examples include late harvest wines and some Moscato varieties.
- Fortified: Wines to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added during or after fermentation. This process increases alcohol content and often results in a sweeter wine, as the added alcohol can halt fermentation, leaving residual sugars. Examples include Port, Sherry, and Madeira.
Vintage and Variety
- Vintage: Refers to the year in which the grapes used to produce a wine were harvested. It is a significant classification method because the vintage can greatly influence the wine’s taste and quality, primarily due to variations in weather conditions during the growing season. Wines from a single vintage are often labeled with that year, indicating the specific characteristics imparted by the climatic conditions of that harvest.
- Variety: Refers to the specific type of grape used to produce wine. Each grape variety has distinct characteristics that affect the flavor, aroma, and overall profile of the wine. Common varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The classification by variety helps consumers identify and select wines based on their preferred taste profiles and styles, as different grape varieties thrive in various climates and regions, contributing to the diversity of wines available.
Wine Color
A wine’s color can provide insights into its characteristics, such as age, tannin levels, and potential for cellaring. The color is influenced by factors like grape variety, fermentation method, pH level, and aging process.
- Red Wine: Produced from red or black grapes, with grape skins left in contact with the juice during fermentation through a process called maceration. This contact extracts color, tannins, and flavor compounds.
- White Wine: Can be made from grapes of any color, with skins separated during fermentation. The juice is pressed quickly to prevent color extraction, resulting in a light-colored wine.
- Rosé Wine: Created by limiting the skin contact time of red grapes, typically 4 hours to 4 days, which results in a pink hue ranging from pale salmon to magenta.
Wine Characteristics
- Acidity: The liveliness and crispness in wine that activates our salivary glands. Acidity balances out the sweet and bitter components in wine.
- Tannin: A natural compound found primarily in red wines, adding structure, complexity, and bitterness. Tannins also act as a preservative.
- Body: A tactile sensation describing the weight and fullness of wine in the mouth. Wine can be light, medium, or full-bodied.
- Dry: A wine lacking the perception of sweetness, with little to no residual sugar left after fermentation.
Wine Tasting and Evaluation
- Aroma: The smell of wine, especially in young wines, influenced by grape variety, fermentation, and oak aging.
- Bouquet: Complex aromas in aged wines, developed from chemical reactions during fermentation and aging.
- Balance: When wine elements (acids, sugars, tannins, and alcohol) come together harmoniously.
- Finish: The lingering taste or flavors in the mouth after tasting wine, also known as aftertaste.
Visual Wine Aspects
- Legs: Streaks of liquid forming on the glass when wine is swirled, indicating alcohol level and viscosity.
Wine Production and Origin
- Varietal: A wine made from a single grape variety, usually named after the grape.
- Terroir: Environmental factors influencing wine character, including soil, climate, topography, and human intervention.
Wine Qualification
- Oenology: (also spelled enology) The science and study of wine and winemaking. It covers topics such as grape cultivation, fermentation, aging, bottling, and quality assessment.
- Sommelier: A trained wine professional specializing in wine service and food pairing.
- Master Sommelier: A wine specialist who has passed the highest level of certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, an international organization that promotes excellence in beverage service. A master sommelier has proven their knowledge, skills, and abilities in all aspects of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, and hospitality through a rigorous four-part examination that covers theory, service, and tasting. The exam is very challenging and has a low pass rate. There are only 269 master sommeliers in the world as of 2021.
Term Videos
How to break the ice and make a start.
- Go over the basic terms, and maybe watch a short video or two. Consider watching a wine documentary for further familiarization and inspiration.
- Now, the wine world might feel exclusive and intimidating, but in fact, it is all about your taste. This is backed by science. A study published by Cambridge University Press found that “individuals on average enjoy more expensive wines slightly less.” So, visit your nearest wine store or even the supermarket, grab a nice-looking wine, have a sip, and enjoy the journey.
- To expand and share your appreciation, visit a wine bar or a nearby winery.
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Wine is a social and personal experience. Wine is a drink that can bring people together and create memorable moments. Wine can enhance any occasion or mood, whether it’s a celebration, a date, a meal, or a relaxing night in. Wine can also help you discover your own preferences and tastes, and express your personality and style. Wine is a drink that can connect you with others and with yourself.
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The color of wine is not determined by the juice of the grape, which is almost always clear, but rather by the presence or absence of grape skins during the fermentation process. White wine can be produced from grapes of any color because the skins are separated from the juice before or during fermentation.
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Is wine appreciation an expensive hobby?
It depends. You can spend a lot on rare or high-end wines, travel, or accessories, or you can enjoy wine on a budget by exploring, learning, and tasting different wines at home. You can also discover new and affordable wineries and collections that are not yet well-known. Also, don’t assume that more expensive wines taste better. A study by Goldstein et al. (2008) found that people who don’t know the price enjoy cheaper wines more than pricier ones. So, trust your own taste and preferences, and you can appreciate wine without breaking the bank.
What are the basic types of wine?
The basic types of wine are red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified. Red wines are made from black grapes that are fermented with their skins, which give them color and tannin. White wines are made from white or black grapes that are fermented without their skins, which give them a lighter color and less tannin. Rosé wines are made from black grapes that are fermented with their skins for a short time, which give them a pink color and some tannin. Sparkling wines are wines that have carbon dioxide bubbles in them, which can be produced naturally or artificially. Fortified wines are wines that have distilled spirits added to them, such as brandy or port.
How do I taste wine properly?
The proper way to taste wine is to follow the steps of see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor. See the wine by holding it against a white background and observing its color and clarity. Swirl the wine by gently rotating the glass to release its aromas. Sniff the wine by putting your nose over the glass and inhaling its scents. Sip the wine by taking a small amount into your mouth and swirling it around your tongue. Savor the wine by swallowing or spitting it out and noticing its flavors and aftertaste.
How can I explore new and interesting wines?
– Go on winery tours: Learn about winemaking and taste different wines from the source.
– Attend tasting events: Sample different wines in a social setting, and learn from experts or peers.
– Read books and magazines: Learn about the history, culture, science, and art of wine, and get recommendations, reviews, and tips from wine writers.
– Follow wine blogs: Follow wine blogs to get insights, news, and discoveries about wine from passionate and knowledgeable bloggers.
– Join a club: Get curated selections of wines delivered to your door, along with information and suggestions. Join online communities where you can share your opinions and experiences with other wine lovers.
– Attend auctions: Find rare or vintage wines that are not available elsewhere, or bid on wines that you already love. Learn from the experts who run the auctions, or mingle with other collectors and enthusiasts.
– Visit festivals: Taste wines from different regions, producers, or styles, and enjoy the food, music, and atmosphere. Meet the people behind the wines, and learn more about their stories and passions.
What are the different types of wine glasses and why do they matter?
Wine glasses have different shapes and sizes for different types of wine, such as red, white, sparkling, rosé, and dessert or fortified wines. The shape and size of the glass can affect how the wine smells, tastes, and feels in your mouth. Different types of wine glasses are not essential, but they can improve your wine drinking experience by allowing more or less air, aroma, flavor, and bubbles. Wine glasses can be made from glass or crystal. Glass is cheaper and more durable, but heavier and thicker. Crystal is more expensive and delicate, but lighter and thinner. Crystal can also refract light better, making it more sparkling and elegant. Some crystal glasses contain lead, which can leach into the wine over time. However, there are also lead-free crystal glasses that are safer and more environmentally friendly.
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Wine is a cultural and artistic expression. Wine is not just a product of nature, but also a product of human creativity and culture. Wine reflects the history, geography, climate, and traditions of the people who make it and drink it. Wine is also an art form that requires skill, passion, and vision to create. Wine can inspire you to learn more about different cultures, regions, and styles, and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the world.
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