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The best instrument to measure the quality of a wine is your own
palate because we all have our preferences. And you would also choose
different wine to match different menu. Having said that, there
are still some general standards established by experienced and
trained experts for juding whether the wine is good. These standards
involve abstract concepts like balance, length, depth, complexity,
texture and typicity of the wine.
1.
Balance
Sweetness, acidity, tannin & alcohol are four major components
of wine. Balance is the relationship of these four components
to one another. A wine is balanced when all these components are
mixed harmoniously without anyone particular one sticking out.
2.
Length
Length is a word used to describe a wine that goes all the way
on the palate - you can taste it across the full length of your
tongue. In other words, how long the taste can linger after you
swallow it.
3.
Depth, Complexity and Texture
Depth - Wine that does not taste flat and one-dimensional but
got layers of taste on the palate.
Complexity - Wine that can keep revealing different characterics
about itself and always show you a new flavour or impression.
Texture - Wine that is smooth in texture is always preferred.
4.
Typicity
A wine that is true to its type and reveals the characteristics
of the major grape variety.
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Find
a Category to match your taste
You may come across many different terms which drinkers
used to describe wine like tannic, oaky, complex, simple, spicy,
peppery, medium-bodied, light-bodied...etc. And you don't have a
clue on what they are!
To make life
easier, we have divided red and white wine into 8 categories.
All you need is to find a category with descriptions similar to
the taste you preferred and use search function to find matched
items.
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Let's
Start with Red Wine
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 1.
Light body, Crispy & Fruity
Fresh in style with not much tannin. Simple fruit like blackcurrant,
berry flavours and aroma. Always easy to drink. Most Suitable
for party and beginner.
Ch. Reysson 1997 |
 2.
Medium body, Firm
These wines have more weight, concentration and substance like
minerals & herbs. They are perceived as firm because of
the slightly tannic characteristic.
Ch. Lilian Ladouoys 1995 |
 3.
Medium body, Soft & Fruity
More concentrated than
catagory 1 with much complex favours fruit like ripened blackcurrant,
jammy berry, plum & raspberry...etc. Always easy to drink.
Most Suitable for party and beginner.
Ch. Arnaud 1996 |
 4.
Full Body, Intense
These wines are intensely
concentrated with tannin & flavours like oak, mineral, smoky
& fruit flavour...etc. Some may taste dry and bitter especially
when they are young . Most of them have potential to age for
many years.
Ch. Clement Pichon 1996 |
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About
White Wine
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 5.
Light & Fresh
These wines are light bodied
with good mouth watering crispness. Best serve with light
flavoured food.
Bianchi Elsa's Vineyard Chenin Blanc 98
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 6.
Medium body & Flavoured
Elegant wine reveals moderate
flavour and easy to drink showing more flavour like melon,
lemon, almond, vanilla etc.
Ch. Bouscaut 1995
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 7.
Full Flavoured
Wines with body and individual
character displaying rich fruit flavour. Often balanced by
oak and acidity.
Ch. la Louviere 1995
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 8.
Dessert Wine
Sweet taste with strong
flavour like peach, lychee, honey & oak
Ch.Rayne Vigneau 1994
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