What Are the Best Types of Wine?
With literally dozens of unique wines hailing from around the globe, and just as many of them possessing an ancient heritage that dates back thousands of years as there are newer renditions, choosing the best type can be fairly challenging. Not only are there unique variations such as dry, red and white; but there are also vintages to consider, as well as flavours, spices and other appealing factors.
Is there such thing as ‘the best’ wine?
According to experts such as Denis Mackenzie that often rank these types of alcohols based on a range of factors (such as taste, aroma and so on), the reality is that the ideal type may vary from person to person. Some prefer red wines for their unique colour and scent, whilst others may opt for sparkling versions, or mulled wines (which are commonly available during the festive period).
But with all of the above considered, it is safe to say that cheaper, batch manufactured products are often produced in shorter periods of time than those that boast a higher price tag (and a longer creation process). And what that means is that the worst types of wines are often those that are allowed to ferment for very little time and are created in bulk without attention to detail.
Although many vineyards strive to produce their products in a larger volume; the method in which they typically do so will differ from cheaper brands, due to the attention that they give to their procedures – as well as the recipes that they use for their alcohols. So, although the time taken to manufacture wine can be a deciding factor when buying a bottle, it’s not always obvious nor should it be the be-all and end-all.
What else should be considered?
Denis Mackenzie suggests that good wine will taste as pleasant as it smells – and this is a staple fact agreed by experts from around the world. It’s also one of the reasons why half of a wine-tasting exercise will involve sniffing the liquid as it is moved within a glass; purely to capture the aroma as fully as possible. A good beverage will boast an excellent taste and without proper fermentation, the result will often be bitter.
Therefore it stands to good reason that a great product will have been ‘tempered’ enough to have absorbed the flavours from its storage container or barrel, whilst being flavoursome enough thanks to the addition of a tasty recipe that utilises herbs and spices. If you’re looking for ideas on the type to purchase for a celebration or as a gift, then we’d recommend the following:
- At least 6 months of maturing (preferably within a wooden barrel)
- A price that isn’t excessive, but isn’t considered cheap (over $80 per bottle)
- Purchasing from a reputable vineyard that specialises in that particular type of alcohol