drink responsibly brookshires.com Printed on recycled paper

drink responsibly brookshires.com Printed on recycled paper

Ingredients for making great wine intro Wine has been a popular and important beverage for thousands of years. Whether in celebrations or ceremonies, wine is just as much a part of many cultures and religions as it is a part of cuisine. Its culinary purposes cannot be overlooked, however, as the acidity in wine can add balance to rich and savory dishes as well as sweet desserts. While tastes vary from sweet white to bitter red for the more experienced connoisseur, there are generally 9 styles of wine made from the countless varieties of wine grapes, and several will be identified in the following pages of this guide. The styles include Sparkling White, Dessert White, Sweet White, Zesty White, Rich White, Rosé, Light Red, Medium Red and Full Red wines. Grapes Although many different fruits can be used to make wine, grapes are the traditional and universally-recognized fruit of choice. Wine grapes are very different from the table grapes eaten at home, as they are much smaller and riddled with seeds. They are harvested at the peak of ripeness and pressed for juice with the skins, stems and seeds to produce a soupy mixture called must. The solids are drained and filtered out later in the winemaking process after fermentation. Many different grape varieties are used to produce the different styles of wine with several having been grown for such a long time that the wine made is simply named after the majority of grapes used to make it, such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Merlot. Yeast Adding yeast to the must is what separates wine from grape juice. During fermentation, yeast transforms the sugar from the grapes into alcohol. Therefore, the sweeter the grapes, the higher the possible alcohol content, depending on how long the grapes are allowed to ferment. Winemakers may choose to stop the fermentation process early if they want the wine to retain some of its sweetness like in dessert wines. 2 3

champagne Champagne is a Sparkling White wine made in France and traditionally poured as a celebratory drink. It undergoes secondary fermentation after bottling under high pressure to create carbonation, giving the wine its signature bubbly appeal. MOSCATO Moscato is an Italian Sweet White wine that is low in alcohol content and a good first choice for anyone new to wine. It can be made sparkling, still or as a dessert wine, but all will bear the same unique aroma and flavor of the Muscat grape, which is one of the oldest grown varieties in the world. A musky-sweet aroma Becomes a deeper gold color as it ages Almond-like flavors with white cherry and citrus zest Brie, Mild Cheddar, Gouda or Colby Pairs well with oysters or with crispy, fried mushrooms. It may also be paired with desserts like lemon shortcake or angel food cake. Sweet flavors of nectarine, peach and citrus A pale yellow to gold hue Muenster, Creamy Goat or Fondue Pairs well with Chinese dishes, or spicy Thai and Vietnamese cuisine with chicken, duck or shrimp 4 5

Riesling This Sweet White wine is made from one of the most aromatic white grape varieties in the world and originates in Germany where it is still very popular. Riesling is beloved for its mouthwatering and tart sweetness. This wine is a great selection for beginners and is low in alcohol because of its sweetness. Pinot Grigio Also called Pinot Gris in France, this Zesty White wine is dry with flavors ranging from lemon-lime and pear to melon and peach. It is known as Italy s most popular white wine and is best served chilled and young. The thirst-quenching and light-bodied characteristics make this a perfect summertime wine. Showcases a flowery, perfume-like aroma A pale, straw-yellow color with golden hues Commonly tastes of green apple, honey and citrus Smoked Gouda, Bleu, Brie or Fondue Think spicy food like Indian or Thai with chicken, duck or cured meat Smooth and refreshing with a sweet, citrus taste Gruyère, Muenster or Grana Padano Pairs well with lighter fare such as shellfish, fresh vegetables, sushi or light pasta 6 7

Sauvignon Blanc More acidic than Pinot Grigio, this dry and light-bodied Zesty White wine originated in France, but is the signature wine of New Zealand. It is traditionally aged in oak barrels, so it can continue to mature for years after it is bottled, providing the wine more complexity with a fuller body. Chardonnay A popular Rich White wine known for its buttery taste, Chardonnay originated in France like many other wines. If the wine is aged in oak, it will taste creamier than unoaked wine, which is lighter with apple and citrus flavors. Has an herbal, citrus flavor infused with honeydew melon Pale yellow in color with a green tint Smells of fresh-cut grass and green bell pepper with notes of grapefruit Creamy Goat, Gruyère, Mozzarella or Sharp Cheddar Pairs well with fish, chicken or roasted spring vegetables like artichokes or asparagus, and can be enjoyed with Mexican, Vietnamese or French cuisines Dry and full-bodied Butter-tasting with apple and citrus peels Triple Cream Brie, Creamy Goat or Gruyère Poultry, fish, lobster, mushrooms or French cuisine 8 9

Zinfandel Although a bold and spicy Medium Red wine traditionally, White Zinfandel is the much more popular Rosé version of this grape variety that was created by accident and is primarily made in California. While focusing on producing a bolder Red Zinfandel, winemakers in the 1970s removed much of the juice from the must before fermentation. Instead of wasting the extra juice, it was fermented for a short time, creating a sweet and fruity flavor. Pinot Noir One of the most sought-after Light Red wines, Pinot Noir originated in France and requires much care when growing and harvesting because the fruit is so fragile. It is a popular wine that can be paired with a wide range of foods because of its subtle flavor. Peach, pineapple and citrus flavors Often aged in oak barrels A young wine not meant for aging Aromas of raspberry and cranberry with floral notes Emmental, Gruyère, Muenster or Gouda Creamy pasta, fish, barbecue or fruit salad Opaque red in color A slightly tart taste of cranberry, cherry, licorice, clove and mushrooms Light, Cheddar, Comté or Gruyère Pairs well with French or German dishes, smoked ham, salmon or lobster 10 11

Merlot Right in the middle of the spectrum of red wines, Merlot is popular for anyone new to red wine because of its fruity taste and smooth finish. This Medium Red originated in France and can be enjoyed with a large variety of dishes. The complexity of the wine is increased by aging in oak barrels and provides potential for bottle aging. Cabernet Sauvignon A Full Red wine originating in France that is usually oak-aged then aged again after bottling. It is the bold characteristics brought out by time that make this wine one of the most popular varieties in the world. Younger wine provides fresh fruit, yet spicy flavoring, while years of aging bring deeper flavors of earth. Herbal, plum and cherry flavors with notes of chocolate Soft texture with medium acidity Tastes of currant, black cherry and black pepper Gives off a musky green bell pepper aroma with ginger Tastes richer and full-bodied when oak-aged Gouda, Mild Cheddar, Edam or Monterey Jack Lighter fares such as Italian dishes, chicken or roasted vegetables Coffee and tobacco flavors emerge with aging Aged Cheddar, Pecorino, Asiago or Bleu French cuisine, smoked beef, lamb or mushrooms 12 13

Syrah Also known as Shiraz, this Full Red is somewhat dry and among the darkest red wines originating in France. It offers immediate bold, fruity flavors before tapering off into a spicy pepper aftertaste. It is aged in oak barrels to produce an intense, flavorful wine with a smooth finish. W ine NOTES 14 Exhibits a taste of blueberry, olive, black pepper and chocolate Deep burgundy in color Spicy aromas of clove, musk and licorice Feta, White Cheddar, Manchego or Bleu From burgers to barbecue, this wine pairs well with bold, salty dishes or roasted vegetables. 10 % For wine recipes and more, Off with the purchase of SIX (6) bottles of wine (mix & match) pick up your FREE copy of Celebrate Cooking in stores or visit brookshires.com