An Overview of Wine Beverages

Wine is a type of alcoholic beverage that is generally made from the fermentation of grape juice. Grapes are a unique fruit in that they have a composition which allows them to ferment without having to add sugars or other enzymes. Instead wine is produced using yeast, which eats the sugar that is naturally found in the fruit juice and converts it to alcohol.

Historians believe that humans have been making wine as far back as 6000 BC. They also believe that this beverage originated in an area near modern day Iran. Winemaking quickly branched out across the world, and it is believed to have reached Europe by 4500 BC where it quickly became popular amongst several of the local nationalities. The Greeks were particularly fond of the intoxicant and it was heavily associated with several aspects of their theology and religion.

This beverage falls into two major categories; varietal, and blended wines. These categories refer to the types of grapes, or the types of other fruits, which are used in the production of this liquid. A varietal wine is made from at least 75% - 85% of a type of European grade known as Vitis Vinifera. Blended wines can be made from a variety of other grape species, which can be blended with the Vitis Vinifera or not, depending on the particular recipe used. Occasionally wines are made from a genetic crossing of the Vitis Vinifera and another type of grape.

Throughout the world the Vitis Vinifera is usually grown grafted onto American grape rootstock. This is done because the American grapes are resistant to a type of root louse known as phylloxera. This plant disease wiped out most of the vine crops during an outbreak in the late nineteenth century, causing many vineyards to have toi completely replant their fields. By growing the one species grafted to the other, wine growers have managed to offset this problem.

In Europe wine is most often classified by the region in which the grapes were grown and the wine was produced. Non-European wines however, are more often classed based on the type of grape used, such as merlot. This is a trend that is slowly changing as wine growing regions outside of Europe are starting to be recognized for the quality of their product, and are starting to label their wines according to their own location. This is a practice that is being done in places such as Napa Valley, and Niagara Peninsula.

In general local, state, and federal governmental agencies have regulations regarding the classification of wines. This keeps the wine makers from making claims as to location or type that are simply untrue. However the laws regarding classification do vary from place to place.

The term ‘Vintage Wine’ refers to a beverage that was made from grapes that were mostly grown in the same region and the same year. There are a variety of qualities that can cause wine made from grapes grown in different years to have a variety of different characteristics, including taste, body, and palate. High quality red wines can also improve in taste, when stored properly over several years. In most locations wine makers are allowed to mix a small amount of non vintage year grapes in with the rest of the vintage beverage, and still label it as such.

In general a vintage wine will be much more highly prized than one made from a variety of grape years. People will often save a bottle of a wine from a particularly good year for future enjoyment.

Wine is a classic beverage that has been with the human race for thousands of years. It has been consumed by both kings and paupers, and everyone in between. It has become a part of religious rituals, celebrations, and happy hours around the world, and it continues to be a major part of human society on the whole.

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