The simple act of tasting

Has a sommelier or a waiter ever asked you to taste the wine before pouring it to you? The act of wine tasting is something so difficult and so important that schools are being created specifically for this. What makes it so important is what we’re about to taste: wine. Have you ever experienced craft beer or some different spirits like you do with wine? I don’t think so. So let’s understand the history of wine and why it is such a particular beverage.

The history

The English word "wine" comes from the Proto-Germanic winam, an early borrowing from the Latin vinum, "wine" or "(grape) vine". The earliest archaeological and archaeobotanical evidence for grape wine and viticulture, dating to 6000–5800 BC was found on the territory of modern Georgia. Wine has been produced for thousands of years and has long played an important role in religion (for example, red wine was associated with blood by the ancient Egyptians, and also in the Catholic Church).

The role of wine has evolved over time, changing from an important source of nutrition to a cultural complement to food and conviviality compatible with a healthy lifestyle. In this long historical path, one thing remains unchanged: the association of wine with gastronomy, history, tradition, origin, local quality products and dignified social settings.

The main producers

What makes a region more or less favorable to the production of wine is obviously the territory: the weather, the latitude, period of day and night, are just some of the reasons why territory is the main variable for viticulture.

You certainly know both the italian and french wines, like Prosecco, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and so on. But also Spain is a serious player in the industry: there you can taste Tempranillo, Airèn, Garnacha, and many more.

France, Italy and Spain (in this order) are the top three most important wine regions of the world. They produce almost half of all the wine in the world! As you can understand, these three countries have more or less the same territory, the same weather and the same geographical characteristics, that allow the cultivation of grapes and the production of a variety of different wines.

But, as we said, they are not the only producers. Also United States, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, China, Chile and Germany are in the list of the ten best wine producers of the world, although as for the sales they’re still a few steps behind the top three countries.

Different countries, different cultures

"Each country has its cultural connection with wine, born in different periods and ways."

In Europe for example, drinking wine is a cultural milestone, an important part of the lifestyle. As in France, where the use of Champagne is almost a daily occurrence, not limited to special occasions like New Year’s or weddings.

Europe represents all that is traditional in winemaking, in no other place a wine reflects the culture of the people who created it and the flavors of the land in which it grew as it does in that continent.

We find a different type of use in Canada, where wine is used in combination with ice cream, revolutionizing its usually warm taste and creating a whole new concept. They are used to make wine from grapes that froze on the vines, so Canadians enjoy ice wine with dessert, as it is very sweet.

Also in the rest of North America, wine is now becoming part of the culture, with over 7700 wineries across the country. The increase in popularity is attributed to the fact that Americans dine out more and enjoy matching wine to cuisine. Americans prefer red wine instead of white and roses wine, and while buying it they usually consider first the variety of grape, then the price and only at last the brand.

Taste to understand

Now that we know the role of wine in history and its presence in the world, we can try to understand why tasting this particular beverage it’s so important. If you ask to wine lovers why they are so into it, they will answer that they are moved by some simple characteristics, like aromas, texture on the palate, the moment frozen in time that leaves you waiting to repeat that experience. All these characteristics create emotional involvement and the desire to know more about the world of wine and its flavours. As aforementioned, schools are being created specifically to understand the importance of wine and all of its connection with other foods. For example, it is normal to associate to seafood a white wine, while with meat a red wine, sparkling wine for dessert, and many more combinations.

Wine can be drunk alone, with friends, before or during meals and also to celebrate a fantastic events! Each wine has its importance and its meaning, and once we understand this, it can really make the difference. After all, in vino veritas, right?