All About Wine
Wine is a very popular beverage for many people in America and across the world. People in all walks of life enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, when getting together with friends, or when dining out at a nice restaurant. Wine comes in many different types, each with varying quality, cost, and availability. For all of its gaining popularity, wine is not a recent addition to the human experience. It has been around, in one form or another, for thousands of years.
The simplest definition of wine is that it is a beverage made from fermented grape juice. The process of fermenting creates alcohol as yeast breaks down the sugars that are found naturally in grapes. Different grapes and different yeasts have been experimented with over the centuries to produce different types of wine. Grapes are grown all over the world, but mainly require a temperate climate that is not too hot or too cold. Grapes do not handle freezing temperatures well, and will wilt on the vine if the weather is too hot. Other fruit juices can be fermented to create alcoholic beverages, but just using the word “wine” is universally recognized as coming from grapes.
Wine has been around in some form since at least 6,000 B.C. At the dawn of civilization, people discovered how to make wine from local grape varieties, and it has stuck with us ever since. For thousands of years, before refrigeration and reliable water filtration, wine was the most popular drink around. When put into an airtight bottle, wine can last for years. Clean water was often difficult to come by, so wine was used as a staple. Wine was diluted with water to make it very weak, and was most of what a person would drink in a day. The alcohol would kill whatever impurities lived in the water, which often came from lakes or rivers on the edge of town that were far from clean due to sewage runoff and overuse.
Wine comes in different varieties. Red wine is made from the dark red or purple grapes. It is usually served at room temperature and requires time to “breathe.” When exposed to the air, it oxidizes, which alters the flavor. Oxidation is required for most red wines to bring out the intended flavor of the wine. White wine is made from white or green grapes. White wines are usually served chilled. White wine requires some oxidation, but not near as much as red wine. White wines often have a dry taste. Wine enthusiasts use the beverage to accentuate the flavors in meals and appetizers. Different wines are suggested for different dishes, such as certain types of red wine for veal and certain types of white wine for fish.
Wine is found almost everywhere and has a very rich history. From Europe, to America, to Asia, to Australia, wine is grown locally and imported for people who truly enjoy the beverage. Wine has been around since the beginning of civilization, and it is a good bet that it will be around for a long time to come.