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This monthly column is targeted towards all individuals who look forward to
gaining an insight in the charismatic world of wines. Before I actually take
you to the deep end, we must learn how to swim... My column will just be
doing the needful. This must be read either in series in times to come,
however I would also like to keep it as free standing as I can so that one
of readers find it helpful as well.
While the history provides enough exposure to the varied use of 'Soma' or 'Som'
(Sanskrit term used for fermented beverages rich in alcohol, the purpose for
consumption ranged from sacramental to religious and from lifestyle and
gastronomical to medicinal.
Modern term of wines though keeps getting away from the more specific
definition that we had in the modern era. Wines in common term are those
beverages that are obtained from fermenting grape juice to various degrees.
This process of fermentation is used to convert the sugar content of the
drink into alcohol with the action of yeast . The control of the degree of
fermentation would than determine the sweetness or dryness of wines. It is
this fermentation that separates it from the other class of alcoholic
beverages that are distilled and are collectively called spirits(Rum,
Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Brandy Kirsch, Grappa..etc) . Beers are produced by a
method that involves fermentation and distillation and this classes it apart
from wines too.
For those of you who have found it confusing, wine is the beverage while
vine is the climbing, woody creeper of the VITIS family whose fruit is
called grape. You must now be finding it easier to understand why the grape
growing farms are called vineyards (pronounced ' vinyard' ). The modern
wine has evolved more in the continent mainly Italy, Portugal and France
however it is very ambiguous and thus we shall leave it like that since all
the countries claim themselves to be the proud father of this pricey baby.
The charm, charisma, flavour, body, and proverbial opulence are much
reflected by this uncanny beverage. Its existence in forms so many, often
makes it difficult to be understood, but once you take the plunge, you’d
wish you had done it earlier.
In
the present times we have two schools of wine making namely the wines of old
world and the Wines of the new world. While the old classics remain what
they are - absolute classics, it is the wines of the New World, the wine
patrons are now raving about. (Countries that started producing wines due to
the change in lifestyle like immigration, modernization, trend shift and
experimentation, these might also include countries that are young nations
with fairly modern era history only.). With the coming up of the new world
wines, it so happened that the regular wine drinker came across the fact the
no matter where the origin must have been, some of the new world wines are
much more suitable to the palate than their old school counterparts.
Going back to wines as a more general topic I shall also share a lot of
interesting trivia that will enlighten you on varied facts some directly
related some indirectly with the world of wines. So should you wish to know
why Burgundy is a colour, how Alsacian and German - shephards are different
yet the same breed of dogs, that tears of Christ can be drunk, How much
would it set you aback to have bought the most expensive wine? And a lot
more........., keep following this column every month.
Have a fantastic month of March
Cheers!!!
Yogeesh |
