Alcoholic beverages are so
named because they contain
alcohol percentages, derived
from the fermentatin of sugars
in them. Wine is a fermented
alcoholic beverage and is
obtained from the fermentation
of grapes (Vitis Vinifera)
obtained from crushing grapes.
Wine… and its origins !!
The wine has very ancient
origins and the first
civilization that it produced
are Egypt, Greece and Rome,
then from there it spread all
over the world. In the Middle
Ages the monasteries grew
vines and the Church, came to
be identified with wine - not
only as the blood of Christ,
but as the luxury and comfort
in this world. The Church
owned the best vineyards in
Europe. Modern wines were
born in the 17°century and the
effect were: wine is lasted
longer and the taste improved.
Choosing Wine…
Each occasion requires a different wine. The quality
of wine is influenced by the soil, grape variety,
climate and man. There are wines for aperitif , wines
for meals and wines for picnics. They should be
drunk to appropriate glasses and with a certain
atmosphere.
Wines are classified into:
• VT table wines for which you can specify only the
color (red, white and rosé), or an invented name;
• IGT typical geographical indications, for which
you can use the geographical name and the name of
the grape;
• DOC wines with denomination of origin;
• DOCG wines with denomination of origin and
guaranteed;
• VQPRD quality wines produced in specified
region.
Not all wines are kept for the same period of time, in fact there are:
Short-ageing wines, such as white and rosé wines that have
a duration of 18 months;
middle aged wines, which are both white and red and have an ageing
period ranging from 2 to 4 years;
wines with long aging, in general are all red wines and lasts up to 4
years.
The cellar.
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The cellar is a local underground
and for the preservation and ageing of wines.
A good cellar must have:
The temperature between 12 and 18°C and a humidity of
70%.
The light should not be directed.
Should be directed to the north.
The flooring must be brick.
The shelves should be wood.
The importance of the label..
The wine label provides information on the contents
of a bottle of wine. Essential elements are:
• Vintage.
• Winery name.
• Area were the wine is produced.
• The grape name.
• Where the wine was bottled.
• Country (or state).
• Alcohol by volume.
French Wines..
France more than any other country in the world produces all
tipes of wine. Famous areas are Bordeaux for Sauvignon, Pinot
Noir and Chardonnany, Santenay, Burgundy for Beaujolais, the
Loire valley for Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc. France has
more than one million hectares of vineyards and the best known
wine producing regions are undoubtedly Burgundy and
Bordeaux. Burgundy is area where great red wine is produced
while Bordeaux is area where wines are made from a mixture of
3 or 4 varieties and red wines are considered superlative, only a
few of its white wines are considered very good.
Spanish wines..
Spain is situated in the third
position after Italy and
France. Spanish wines are red
colour, full body and are used
for blending rather than as a
beverage. The world is
beginning to appreciate Spanish
wine not only for its low price
but also for character. The
town Valdepenas has given its
name to a large part of this
production. Finally the most
important table wine is Sherry:
it is very sweet to very dry
heavy and brown in colour. It
can be served has a classic
aperitif or as dessert wine.
English wines ..
The romans brought vines
to England in the Middle
Ages, with the dissolution
of the monasteries. The
most important growing
areas are Sussex, Kent,
Surrey, Somerset, Norfolk
and Suffolk. The most
popular grapes are Muller
Thurgau and Seyval
Blanc and other German
varieties. Finally the
biggest vineyard is
Derby’s in Surrey.
California..
California is divided in four
regions: coastal mountainous
ranges, the Sierra Nevada, the
Central Valley and the south
eastern deserts. along the
coast climate is mild and
uniform but in the southern
desert the temperature is high.
The Californian economy is
rich and varied. the
population is mix spanish
speakers blacks and asian
indians. California has got
prestigious state university as
Berkley.
The stages of Californian wines.
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In the end of the 18th century the Spanish missionaries
brought grapes to California from Mexico.
In the 1850S there was the first production of wine.
In the 1960S after the prohibition period californian wine
industry began to revive.
In the 1966S Robert Mondavi opened the first winery in the
Napa Valley, after prohibition was repealed.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is situated in Northern California, its name
mean "Valley of Planty". There are three climatic zones and
consequently there is a great variety of grapes: Chardonnay
and Sauvignon. Moet & Chandon in 1973 they started their
own winery which was very successful .
The end…
Rossella & Antonella