There are many wines on the market, which is why it is so difficult to choose one. How can we know that it is a good wine? Is there a way to measure its quality?
Fortunately, there are some tips to know the quality of the wine and at Bodegas Altanza we are going to tell you about them, so that the next time you taste a good wine you will identify it.
What does the quality of the wine depend on
Although wine goes through many phases to become the drink we know, its quality is largely determined by the grape it comes from.
In fact, this is not surprising, since The raw material of the wine is the grape , that is why the ripening of this fruit is very careful, as well as the conditions that can affect it, such as the temperature, the age of the vine, the humidity of the soil and if they fit the type of grape What is it.
8 keys to know if we are facing a good wine
Wines, like good food, have a series of characteristics with which we can measure their quality. If you want to know the quality of the wine you bought, open the bottle, pour some wine into the glass and pay attention to:
1. The color
A good wine must have the color that corresponds to it , if it does not mean that there is a problem. It should be noted that the color will vary depending on whether the grape from which it comes has a thinner or thicker skin, the climate where it was grown, the altitude, and exposure to ultraviolet rays. For example, a tempranillo has a more purplish hue than a Cabernet.
In general, the color also varies according to its aging . In this sense, young white wines have a paler or straw yellow color compared to reserve ones, which have a more golden color. In the case of reds, they become more muted and light in color to a mahogany hue.
The grounds
Contrary to popular belief, the grounds are more of an advantage than a lack . They indicate the quality of the wine, since it can be sensed that it has been treated and stored in the bottle correctly.
These deposits are the consequence of what is known as bitartrates, a salt that precipitates and gathers at the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, it is a sign of good conservation and aging.
3. Primary aromas
When we talk about aromas, we mean all those pleasant olfactory sensations that derive from the creation of wine. A good wine reveals its primary aromas as soon as it is served in the glass, which come from the land where it was grown and the grape that was its raw material, and are revealed with fruity, floral, mineral or earthy nuances .
4. Smell and taste of wood
A good wine does not smell like wood. As simple as that. The smell of old wood means that the wine has matured in old barrels that had to be replaced long ago, or whose pores were clogged by particles that are in the must before filtration.
Whether the taste or smell is of old or new wood, it is not a good sign , since the barrels have to add nuances to the wine, not hide them.
5. Balance
The quality of the wine is measured by its balance. If all its elements are felt without any predominant, we are on the right track. When we talk about balance we mean acidity, nuances and alcohol.
6. Tannins and alcohol
Like the previous point, both must be moderate to generate the sensation of pleasure. In the case of tannins , they have to dry our mouths and with alcohol we should feel a sensation similar to spicy, since it affects the same nerves. If we find this, we are facing a good wine.
7. Depth and complexity
A good wine is one that has personality. When we hear this we can get confused, however, it is very simple, a good wine is one that has “layers”. Or what is the same, the one that as it enters the mouth reveals new nuances and flavors . The one that surprises with every sip due to its complexity.
That is a good wine.
8. Persistence
Finally, we will know that we are facing a good wine if it lasts in the mouth, and this means that its flavors and nuances can be felt long after having ingested the last glass.
In fact, it is a direct relationship: the higher the persistence, the higher the quality. If it lasts ten seconds in the mouth it is a good wine, if it rises to more than twenty seconds it is excellent.
If you want to learn about how wine is made, contact the best winery in La Rioja and have a unique experience.
