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Wine bottles should be stored horizontally (to keep the corks from drying out) in a darkened, moderately dry room or cellar, with a constant temperature of about 55° F. |
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10,000 grape varieties exist in the world. |
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Prunes were Napa Valleys primary fruit crop in the 1940's. |
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"Brix" is the term used to designate the percentage of sugar in the grapes before fermentation. |
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Cabernet Sauvignon is the acknowledged "king" of red grapes in Napa Valley. Some Napa Valley Cabernet vines from the 19th century are still producing, but most were replanted in the last 20 years. Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex grape; its character can emerge as black currants, green olives, herbs, bell peppers or combinations of these with mint and leather. These wines age beautifully. |
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Sauvignon Blanc grapes make wines that appear under two names: Sauvignon Blanc and Fumé Blanc (a regional French nickname is "blanc Fumé"). These wines are increasingly popular as they have a distinctive character, often described as fruity with a touch of herbaceousness, and very good acidity. |
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Wine is fat free and contains no cholesterol. |
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There are roughly 400 species of oak and less than 20 species are used in making oak barrels for use in winemaking. |
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The largest wine bottle size is approx 15 liters. It is called a Nebuchadnezzar. |
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There are over 20 million acres of grapes planted worldwide. |
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“Cuvée” means “vat” or “tank.” It is used to refer to a particular batch or blend. |
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Placing ice and kosher salt in a bucket will chill white wine or Champagne faster. |
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The lip of a red wine glass is sloped inward to capture the aromas of the wine and deliver them to your nose. |
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Chilling tones down the sweetness of wine. If a red wine becomes too warm, it may lose some of its fruity flavor. |
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The ideal serving temperature for wine is as follows: |
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Whites: chilled (45-55 degrees F) for a few hours in the refrigerator. |
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Reds: slightly cooler than room temperature (about 65 degrees); Younger fruity reds benefit from chilling. |
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Sparkling Wine: thoroughly chilled; refrigerate several hours or the night before serving. |
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Dessert Wine: room temperature |
