SELECTING WINES Does red wine or white wine fit your occasion? Do you want dry or sweet? Does your meal need something full bodied or thin? Do you purchase the same wine without ever trying anything new because you are afraid you might get a bad bottle? Do you purchase wine because the label looks good? Wine appeals to your senses. Sight, smell, taste and touch all play an important part in wine selection. Wine is a very sensuous experience if it is the right wine for you. At George Spencer Vineyard & Wine Tasting Room , we will test your senses from the moment you walk through our doors. Sight — White wines should be clear and bright, never cloudy or hazy. It ranges in color from young and nearly colorless to an older wine with an intense golden hue. Hold a white piece of paper behind your glass and you will get a true color analysis. George Spencer Vineyard’s Seyval Blanc, aged in oak, is a light yellow while our Edelweiss is a pale yellow. Pale wines come from cooler regions, while darker wines are most likely from warmer climates. Red wines range in color from pink to almost black. Grape variety, fermentation and aging all play an important role in color as well as the region of origin. Warmer climates produce deeper reds. Red wines are the reverse of white in that they become paler as they age. Oak-aged reds tend to lighten in color compared to bottle-aged wines. Look at the rim of the wine to determine red wine color. Smell — Lift your wine glass and swirl the wine. Place your nose into the center of the glass and take a series of quick, short sniffs. Wines have over 500 compounds that are derived from grape varieties, fermentation and the maturation process. Wine that is very cold has little aroma. Aroma and bouquet refer to different things. Aroma describes smells associated with the grape. The bouquet is part of a wine’s smell derived from its development while in the bottle. Over time, your memory bank of wine smells can grow to encompass hundreds of aromas that range from floral, spicy and nutty to caramel and fruity. When you swirl your glass of wine, you will see legs appear. This is wine that is clinging to the inside of the glass. Glasses must be free of all detergent and dirt when looking for legs, which indicate high alcohol or sugar content, or both. Taste — Take a sip of wine into your mouth with a little bit of air. Make sure you get enough to cover your entire tongue, so all of your taste buds are covered. How does the wine feel? Is it thin or full-bodied? When reading labels of table wines: a light body contains between 7-10 percent alcohol, a medium body has between 10.5 to 12.5 percent alcohol and a full body has more than 12.5 percent alcohol. Your tongue gives you information about the tannins, acidity, sweetness and alcohol content of the wine. The length of time the wine lingers in your mouth is also important. It is individual preference as to how sweet, how much acid and how high of tannins you like in your wines. That is where the feel of the wine on your tongue comes into play. Because your wine palate changes over time you may want to replace wines you once loved with something different. At George Spencer Vineyard & Wine Tasting Room you can try different types of wines. We have four samples available to help you choose from our selection, and you can purchase your favorite by the glass or bottle. The wine industry in Nebraska is exploding with a wealth of award-winning wines. As a state, we should be very proud of the Nebraska industry and enjoy the rewards of it. Come to George Spencer Vineyard & Wine Tasting Room and get a taste of Nebraska’s award-winning wines. |