Whether you’re a fan or not, many people have had a glass of wine at some time or another. It is the drink of celebration, having been around since ancient times, where kings and queens would raise their glass and make toasts to their kingdoms, and for many generations this tradition has been carried on. Whether it’s a birthday or a wedding or even just a nice night in on the sofa with good company – wine is such a versatile and sophisticated beverage. So complex and intricate is this drink, it takes a lot of work and time to become a master. Luckily though, there are a few simple facts that can assist in your pursuit of becoming a wine buff – and we’ve compiled a list of 5 of our favourites!

1. It's all about the smell

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When it comes to smelling wines, there are a few things to note if you want to make an impression. Wines are often classified by their ‘age’ and it’s good to know that different aged wines produce different smells. Young wine yields a smell called an “aroma”, while mature wines offer a more subtle “bouquet”. Not a bad addition to your wine connoisseur vocab!

2. Red, red wine

As many of you will know, wine comes from grapes. There are many different breeds of grape that produce different wines. When it comes to the different colours between red and white wines its all about the fermentation process. Red wines extract their colour from the grape skins, while white wines are not fermented with the skins.

3. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the...

The term “dilute” means that a wine tastes watery. This is sometimes caused if the grapes of the wine have been harvested during a rainstorm.

4. Something smells

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There are two other terms that you may find helpful on your quest to becoming the next wine guru. These are “dumb” and “numb”. A dumb wine refers to the lack of odour in the wine with the potential to develop an odour in the future; whereas a numb wine has no odour and no potential of developing one.

5. First thing's first

Traditionally, when serving wines it is typical to serve a white wine before a red. There are other factors that can be considered as well if you’re planning your next dinner party; lighter wines before heavy, younger before older, and dry wine before a sweet wine.

So there you have it! Next time you’re out with friends or family grab a bottle of your favourite vino and break the ice with your newly discovered knowledge and prowess. If you’re looking for a good place to start – why not come on down the No. 4 Clifton Village. With loads of fantastic wines to try, matched with gorgeous food and excellent company!

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