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Wines FAQ

1 - What is wine
Wine is fermented grape juice but it can actually be made from all sorts of common and not so common foods. Things like fruits, herbs and flowers. Most wine, though, is made from grapes.

2 - Do you have to age wine to get better flavor
No you do not, it is a common misconception that you have to age wine. The fact is, most wine is drunk "young" soon after it is produced, perhaps 12 to 18 months.

3 - How do you store wine
If it is a wine that is meant to be drunk within a year or so, should be kept below about 70 degrees and out of light. For wines that should be aged, a cellar with proper temperature of between 50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity of about 60 percent is correct which helps to keep the cork moist. No light, vibration or storng odors that can get past the cork into the wine.

4 - What is the best way to drink wine
Contrary to popular belief, room temperature is not exactly accurate.
As a rule of thumb (at the minimum), serve the wine 1 or 2 degrees below room temperature. This will give off vapors as the wine warms. Since your sense of smell is a very big part of what things taste like, getting those vapors into your nose is important.

Best Red Wines; "big" red wines: 59 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 to 12 degrees Centigrade

Lesser reds, rose, and "complex" white wines: 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit / 6 to 8 degrees Centigrade

Lesser "complex" white wines: 46 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 8 to 10 degrees Centigrade

Sweet white wines, Champagne: 43 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit / 6 to 8 degrees Centigrade



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