Change my location
Food and Drink
Leslie Cramer
Wine ExaminerLeslie Cramer has worked in the fine wine industry for twenty- something years. Known in some circles as "The Wine Wizardess," she'll cover topics from wine education, to trends o' the day and how to properly propose a toast, to health benefits of the grape.
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the Wine Examiner as useful resources.National Examiners
Stile E. Coyote
Men's Style Examiner
Most Recent Post
Style Rule #44: Match Your Socks to Your Pants
Men's Style Examiner
Most Recent Post
Style Rule #44: Match Your Socks to Your Pants
Tony DeMarco
Baseball Examiner
Most Recent Post
AL remaining schedules: Red Sox easiest; Twins toughest
Baseball Examiner
Most Recent Post
AL remaining schedules: Red Sox easiest; Twins toughest
Wine Examiner
WINE WORD WEDNESDAYS- EXPLANATORY EXPLANATIONS
|
Leslie Cramer - Wine Examiner
 Taster/host using his notes Refined- A well balanced wine. Usually refers to reds that are barrel aged. Synonymous with 'elegant.' Oakey- In a wine, the scent or taste of fresh cut oak. Introduced into the wine from the contact of the barrels where the wine is left to ferment; made from the wood. "Overoaked-" overpowering oak flavors which may diminish other of the wine's characteristics. New oak barrels impart stronger oak flavors than older ones. Characteristics of 'oakiness'- vanilla (from the wood itself), and 'roasted,' 'charred,' or 'toasty.' all from the contribution of the interior of the barrel that has been flamed or scorched. Tannin(s)- (I'm probably asked what these are more than any other terms out there) A compund derived from the grapes stems, seeds, and skins, and from the barrels. Tannins give particualr red wines structure and the ability to age. Tannins are felt more than tasted. Wines high in tannins may have a "puckery" mouthfeel when young. The puckery feel will soften over time if it was made from ripe, mature grapes. Harsh, dry tannin is a detriment in a wine, often called unripe or green [tannin]. Harsh tannin is usually the result of grapes picked before they have matured . White wines generally only have trace amounts of tannin because they are not barrel aged for long periods nor are they fermented on their skins. Lees- Made up of dead yeasts, tartaric acid and other residual matter from fermentation, the lees form a dark yellow deposit at the bottom of the fermentation bin (cask). The are removed by... Racking- The operation involving separating wine from its lees by transferring from one container to another. Vendange- Vintage time, grape harvest. OK, so now you know a little more still. Pop a cork (or twist a cap, maybe the wave of the future, but thats another posting entirely...) Observe, swirl, smell, sip (or quaff) and bottom line- enjoy. For more info: buy a bottle, do the routine. Skol!
|
