WINE IN

1 EVENING
The essential guide to cracking the basics
of wine in an evening
 INTRODUCTION

First of all, I would like to say how great it is that you want to deepen your understanding
of wine: congratulations!

If youre reading this book, its clearly that you already know a bit about wine, that you
enjoy this amazing drink, but that you want to know more.

Learning about wine is one of the most enriching things one can do. There really is a
fantastic world waiting to be discovered.Thousands of grape varieties, dozens of
winemaking regions, tens of thousands of wineries and millions of wines, each waiting to
take your senses on an adventure.

With this short book, we wanted to oer wine lovers who want to be serious about wine,
a kind of base knowledge, a sort building block that is the base on which to then grow.

I am always surprised by the sheer number of wine lovers who learn about wine, or go to
wine tastings without knowing these super important basics, or misunderstanding them.

If you have already been to tastings or done a few courses, then I highly recommend
you revisit these fundamentals
If you are making your rst steps into wine learning, then this is the basics you must
know

Hope you enjoy.

Sant!

Cyrus Tchahardehi
 SUMMARY
VOCABULARY
It might sound a bit boring and unimportant but this is the very base! If the world of wine
feels intimidating, it is primarily because of all the weird words it uses.

I remember my very rst day at vinicultural school: I really felt as though I had landed in a
foreign country. I couldnt understand anything they were saying. And when I was trying to
express thoughts and impressions, I felt ridiculous.

It isnt unsurmountable there are only a dozen words you need to know, and REALLY
understand.
Of course, you will need to develop that vocabulary as you continue your journey into
wine, but these words will give you solid base.

HOW WINE IS MADE?

The process of wine making has changed very little over centuries. Whilst technology has
brought progress into the winneries, the principles of wine making remain the same as they
were 2,000 years ago.
In this chapter, weve put together a simplied diagram of how white wine and red wine are
made. Gaining this basic knowledge will help you understand the huge diversity of wines,
even when coming from the same region.

MOST IMPORTANT GRAPE VARIETIES

There are nearly 10,000 grape varieties produced around the world. But thankfully you dont
need to know them all (phew!).

Weve put together a list of the main grape varieties. The most important ones.Understanding
them is important as they will be present in many of the worlds principal wine regions and
appellations.
Try and make sure you know the proles of these varieties well.

CORNERSTONE WINES
Of course, there are way too many wines to know. Millions of wines, and whats worst, each
year, each new vintage will be dierent.

However, there are a few wines that are important to have experienced; not just read about.
I have put together a list of 16 wines you need to taste at least once early. Try and experience
these wines over the next few weeks.Ideally try 2 each week, and it will take you just a couple
of months to have tasted these 16 must know wines. For this, I recommend getting those
wines by the glass in wine bars or restaurants, which will come a lot cheaper than buying the
full bottles for each.
 CHAPTER 1
12 VOCABULARY WORDS

God had made only water, but man made wine.

-Victor Hugo
 CHAPTER 1: 12 VOCABULARY WORDS

In this first chapter, were going to look at the jargon of wine.You see, wine has its own
language, its own expressions, and its important you understand what they mean.

We have put together a list of the most important words you need to learn.
Not the most exciting thing about wine but this is the base.

TASTE SWEETNESS

The taste of a wine is the combination
of the three main taste components
that are Sweetness, Acidity and
Tannin.
Sweet describes the sugar content in a
wine, and is a pretty straightforward
term to get your head around, as this is
a taste we tend to know well. One thing
to bear in mind is that high alcohol
content wines can sometimes appear
sweeter than they are so always bear this
in mind when rating a wine.

ACIDITY TANNIN

Tannin is a compound that is found

Acidity is a taste we are all familiar
with, and when I think of acidity I
immediately think lemon juice. All
wines have a varying level of acidity.
A wine with very low acidity may be
described as abby. A wine with high
acidity would be described a fresh,
vibrant or zingy.
primarily in the skin and the pips of the
grape berries. It has a bitter, astringent
taste and usually is recognisable
because it dries out the inside of your
mouth. Tannin is an important
component in red wines, as it provides
structure to a wine and helps a wine to
age well (as it has anti-oxidant
characteristics). As the
wine ages, the tannins become more
integrated and more mellow.

4
 CHAPTER 1: 12 VOCABULARY WORDS
GRAPE VARIETY
A grape variety is simply a type of
grapes. Just like apples can be Royal
Gala, Granny Smith, or Golden
Delicious, so too can grapes be
Chardonnay, Merlot or Syrah.
TERROIR
A term describing the interaction of
soil, climate, topography and grape
variety in a specic geographical site.
This unique combination will give the
wines made in this area very specic.
It comes from the French word for
earth, terre.
APPELLATION
The term Appellation denotes the
geographical origin of a wine. It is often
the name of a village, but it can be any
geographical area that has been
dened and documented as part of a
countrys wine classication system.
Famous appellations include Margaux,
Pauillac, etc.
VINTAGE
Indicates the year in which the grapes
were grown. It does not give you the
year in which the wine has been bottled.
Indeed, wine can sometimes be aged
for several years in oak barrels, before
being bottled. The vintage that will
appear on the label will always show the
year in which the grapes were picked.
5
 CHAPTER 1: 12 VOCABULARY WORDS

CORKED OAK

This is a type of fault that can be found
in some wine bottles. A corked wine will
develop an unpleasant smell of wet,
musty, moldy-newspaper avour. It is
not caused by small bits of cork falling
into the wine, but by the presence of a
chemical compound called TCA (2,4,6
- trichloroanisole).
Some wines are aged in oak barrels, or
in vats that contain wood chips. This
process imparts woody avours onto
the wine, and the term oak is the
term used to describe these avours.
When you smell a wine that is oaked,
you will often get smells of butter, or
toast that have developed as a result of
the contact between the wine and the
oak, hence the use of this umbrella term.

COMPLEXITY AROMAS
This term describes how many dierent
aromas are present in a wine. The more
aromas, the more complex the wine. And
This term simply means one scent, that
the more complex the wine, the better.
forms what we call the nose of a wine.
A poor quality wine will tend to have 2 or
Examples of aromas are red cherries,
three dominant aromas. A good quality
or honeysuckle. They are picked up
wine will often have between 5 and 10
by the nose when smelling a wine.
aromas. Amazing world-class wines can
have as many as 20 dierent aromas
that may reveal themselves one after the
other as the wine opens in your glass.
Experiencing such wines is a rare treat
that should be savoured.

6
 CHAPTER 2
HOW WINE IS MADE?

Wine is like the incarnation--it is both divine and human

- Paul Tillich
 WHITE RED
WINEMAKING WINEMAKING
HARVEST OF HARVEST OF
THE GRAPES THE GRAPES

DESTEMMIMG DESTEMMIMG
AND CRUSHING AND CRUSHING
The stems are separated The stems are separated
from the grages. The berries from the grages. The berries
are then crushed to relase the are then crushed to relase the
sugary juice they contain sugary juice they contain

MACERATION
The fermenting juice is left
SEPERATING in contact with the grape skins
SOLIDS for a period of time in order to
PRESSING
The skins and extract color, aromas and tannins.
The press extracts
the grape juice by pips are discarded
applaying pressure. at this point.

ALCOHOLIC
FERMENTATION
Due to eects of yeast,
ALCOHOLIC the natural sugars of the
FERMENTATION juice are transformed into
alcohol.
Due to eects of yeast,
the natural sugars of the SEPERATING
juice are transformed into SOLIDS
alcohol. The skins and
pips are discarded
at this point.

AGEING
Sometimes, PRESSING
AGEING the wines are A winepress is used
Sometimes, aged in wood to press the skins
the wines are for varying of and extract the
aged in wood time which last of the wine
for varying of imparts avors
time which characteristic
imparts avors of the ageing
characteristic process.
of the ageing
BOTTLING process.

BOTTLING AND/OR
BOTTLE AGEING
The nished wines maybe
bottle aged by the winnery
before being sold to the public.
Credits to Club Torres
 CHAPTER 3
WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES
GUIDE

Wine to me is passion. Its family and friends. Its warmth of heart and
generosity of spirit. Wine is art. Its culture. Its the essence of civilization
and the art of living.
-Robert Mondavi
 CHARDONNAY

This grape variety takes its name from the village of Chardonnay in Burgundy
(France). Chardonnay is probably the most well-known and drunk white grape
variety in the world, and today its produced practically everywhere in the. In
France the grape provides us with the beautifully crisp Chablis (which
sometimes comes as a surprise to some). Oaked Chardonnays (those
which have spent time in oak barrels) tend to be more complex and
layered with notes of vanilla and caramel while un-oaked wines are
fresher and crisper.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal
wine region and best wines produced from this grape variety.

10
AROMAS

UNOAKED
OAKED
VANILLA TOAST LEMON APPLE

BRIOCHE BUTTER FLINT

WINE REGIONS

SOUTHERN ITALY
CALIFORNIA FRANCE

ARGENTINA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH

CHILE AUSTRALIA

5 TO TRY

Domaine Laroche, Vieille Voye Chablis, 2014

Bilancia Chardonnay, Bilancia, Hawkes Bay,2013

Calera, Chardonnay, California, 2014

Meursault Clos du Domaine Henri Darnat, 2015

'Yering Station 'The Elms' Chardonnay Yarra Valley, 2015

11
 VIOGNIER

Viognier is a white grape variety that has its roots rmly established in
the Rhone Valley in France. It is a rich, aromatic grape variety, which produces
full-bodied wines that can be perfect match to many exotic dishes including
a lot of Thai or Indian curries.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

12
 AROMAS

APRICOT PEACH HONEYSUCKLE GINGERBREAD

WINE REGIONS

SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA FRANCE

SOUTH
AFRICA SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
5 TO TRY

Mont Rocher Vieilles Vignes Viognier, Pays dOc, France, 2014

Domaine Rostaing La Bonnette Condrieu, 2010

Santa Julia Viognier, Mendoza Argentina, 2012

Yalumba Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia, 2014

Melville "Estate-Verna's" Viognier 2010

13
 RIESLING

Riesling is a white grape variety, which originated in the Rhine region of

Germany. It is a very aromatic grape variety, which tends to display owery,
almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to produce a wide
range of dierent styles of wine, going from dry to semi-sweet to sweet, and
even sparkling white wines.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

14
AROMAS

PEACH LIME APPLE JASMINE

WINE REGIONS

GERMANY
LUXEMBOURG
SOUTHERN
FRANCE ITALY

AUSTRALIA

5 TO TRY

Earths End, Central Otago, 2014

Saint Clair Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2013

Weingut Rudolf Trossen, Riesling Schieferblume Trocken, 2014

Riesling, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Lucas & Andr Rieel

Riesling, Domaine Rolly-Gassmann

15
 SAUVIGNON BLANC

One of the most widely planted white grapes in the world, Sauvignon Blanc
tends to produce crisp, refreshing wines, often showing the classic grassy
aromas that has become associated to Sauvignon Blanc. Be aware though that
New World Sauvignons can be more aromatic, and show notes of tropical fruits.
Fun fact: something you may not be aware of, is that it is also a key component
in sweet wines such as Sauternes.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

16
AROMAS

LIME GOOSEBERRIES ELDER FLOWER PASSION FRUIT

WINE REGIONS

LOIRE NOTHERN
VALLEY ITALY

CHILE AUSTRALIA

MALBOROUGH
5 TO TRY

Pouilly-Fum, La Rambarde, Domaine Landrat-Guyollot 2014

Sancerre Blanc, Domaine de la Villaudiere 2014

Hawkland Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2015

St Clair, Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block, Marlborough 2013

Campo Lindo Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Chile 2015

17
 CHAPTER 4
RED GRAPE VARIETIES
GUIDE

Wine is life
-Horace
 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Cabernet is grown in nearly every major wine producing country. Cabernet

Sauvignon is internationally recognized through its prominence in Bordeaux
wines where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is a
crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon
tends to produce full-bodied wines with high tannins and good acidity that
make it ideal for aging.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

20
AROMAS

BLACKCURRANT VIOLET CEDAR EUCALYPTUS

WINE REGIONS

BORDEAUX
AND TUSCANY
CALIFORNIA MEDOC

ARGENTINA
CAPE SOUTH AND
CHILE WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
5 TO TRY

Le Difese Tenuta San Guido, Italy

Chateau de Lamarque, France, 2012

Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013

Wynns Coonawarra Estate The Gables Cabernet Sauvignon,

Australia, 2014

Concha y Toro Terrunyo Pirque, Alto Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon,

Chile, 2011

21
 MERLOT

Here we have another hugely popular grape variety, which in the New World
is famous for producing full-bodied, velvety smooth wines with lovely dark
fruit aromas. In Europe, and especially in Bordeaux where it is a key variety,
it will produce wine with more medium body and going more on red fruit aromas.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

22
AROMAS

FRUITY

OTHER
CHERRY RASBERRIES TABACCO CEDAR

PLUM CHOCOLATE COFFEE

WINE REGIONS

FRANCE ITALY
CALIFORNIA

SOUTH AND
ARGENTINA WESTERN
CHILE AUSTRALIA

5 TO TRY

Garmence Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France, 2010

Errazuriz Estate Series Merlot, Chile, 2015

Burgess Cellars, Napa Valley Merlot", U.S.A., 2003

Marco Felluga Merlot Varneri, Italy, 2008

James Irvine Signature Selection Merlot, Australia, 2014

23
 PINOT NOIR

THE star red grape of Burgundy, Pinot Noir is a shy and delicate grape variety,
considered to produce some of the nest wines in the World. Pinot produces
mostly lightly coloured wines, with a medium body and low tannin. When
young, wines made from Pinot noir tend to have red fruit aromas of cherries,
raspberries and strawberries.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

24
AROMAS

BLACKCURRANT VIOLET CHERRY RASBERRIES

WINE REGIONS

BURGUNDY

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

5 TO TRY

Bannockburn Pinot Noir Valli, New Zealand, 2011

Domaine Henri Prudhon , Bourgogne Pinot Noir, France, 2015

Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Nuits St Georges Les Poisets, France, 2008

Maresh Pinot Noir, Kelley Fox Wines, USA, 2008

Paringa Estate, Estate Pinot Noir, Australia, 2010

25
 SYRAH

Syrah and Shiraz are in fact one and the same grape, known under two dierent
names. It should however not be confused with Petite Sirah which is a
completely dierent grape altogether.
Although grown in many wine-producing countries, Syrah is particularly
associated with the South of France and Australia. Overall, Syrah usually
produces full-bodied wines, with soft tannin, and black fruit and spice notes
of liquorice and earthy leather.
Below is a short summary of the key aromas, principal wine region and
best wines produced from this grape variety.

26
AROMAS

FRUITY

OTHER
OLIVE HERBS

BLACKBERRY BLUEBERRY

BLACKPEPPER LEATHER
WINE REGIONS

FRANCE ITALY
USA
SPAIN

ARGENTINA SOUTH AUSTRALIA

CHILE AFRICA

5 TO TRY

Delaire Gra Syrah, South Africa, 2014

Bullant Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Lake Breeze Wines, Australia, 2014

Domaine Gilles Robin Crozes Hermitage, France, 2013

Via Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2013

Qup Syrah, USA, 2012

27
 CHAPTER 5
NOTABLE WINES

Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more
tolerance.
-Benjamin Franklin
 CORNERSTONE WINES
As I said in the introduction, here are 16 wines I gathered and strongly recommend you
to try. By tasting them, it will help you appreciate wine and having a better undertanding
of the grape varieties they are made of.
Finally, this list will help you compare new wines you will come across. You will be able to
ask questions such as: how does this wine compare to a Chablis? or How similar isthis
to a Malbec? and it will greatly help you discovering new wines.

WHITE WINES

SANCERRE, from the Loire Valley in France

A fantastic example of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley.
Recommended growers: Henri Bourgois, Joseph Mellot, Alphonse Mellot

CHABLIS, from Northern Burgundy in France

Mineral Chardonnay at its very best.
Recommended growers: Gerard Tremblay, Long Depaquit, J. Moreau et Fils

MOSEL RIESLING TOCKEN, from the Mosel region in Germany

Beautiful example of what the best Riesling are like.
Recommended growers: Selbach-Oster, Dr Loosen, J.J. Prum

CONDRIEU, from the Northern Rhone region of France

A magnicent Viognier based wine, in its birthplace.
Recommended growers: Georges Vernay, Yves Cuilleron, Ogier

MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC, from New Zealand

Sauvignon blanc has found its home from home here in New Zealands South Island
Recommended Growers: St Clair, Cloudy Bay, Seresin Estate

MEURSAULT or CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET, from Burgundy in France

Chardonnay at its very best This is heaven
Recommended Growers: Ropiteau, De Montille, Comtes Lafon

29
 RED WINES
PAUILLAC, from the Bordeaux region of France
This is the place producing some of the nest Cabernet based wines in the world.
Recommended Chateaux: Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste, Chateau Croizet Bages,
Chateau Haut batailley

RIOJA Reserva, from Spain

Rioja is without doubt one of the worlds most renown wines, and reserva will
give you the perfect insight into this wine.
Recommended Growers: La Rioja Alta, Lopez de Heredia, Marques de Murrieta
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, from Tuscany in Ital
Tuscanys nest appellation? Maybe. A must know? Without a doubty
Recommended Growers: Gaja, Casanova di Neri, Ban

MALBEC, from Mendoza in Argentina

Malbec from Mendoza has exploded over the past 10 years, and it is still getting
better. You need to taste this wine.
Recommended Growers: Catena Zapata, Matias Riccitelli, Zuccardi

SHIRAZ, from the Barossa Valley in Australia

Shiraz has made its home in the Barossa Valley and you need to know these wines.
Recommended Growers: Ben Glaetzer, John Duval, Grant Burge

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, from the Napa Valley in the USA

Napa Valley wines are must-knows, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.
Recommended Growers: Stonehedge, Frogs Leap, Heitz

NUITS ST GEORGES, from Burgundy in France

The Cote de Nuits is without hesitation the place producing the nest Pinot Noirs
in the world. Nuits St George is at its heart.
Recommended Growers: Jean-Claude Boisset, Henri Gouges, Jean Chauvenet

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE, from the Rhone region of France

The appellation with 13 allowed grape varieties. This is Rhone at its best.
Recommended Growers: Vieux Telegraphe, Clos de lOratoire, Berthet-Rayne

FLEURIE, from the Beaujolais region France

Gamay may not get the recognistion it deserves, but things are changing. These
wines are unbelievable value for money.
Recommended Growers: Domaine de la Madonne, Didier Desvignes, Mommessin

BAROLO, from the Piedmont region of Italy

Barolo, is probably Italys most recognised wine. This is power and nesse all in one.
Recommended Growers: Gianni Gagliardo, Pio Cesare, Borgogno
30
 NEXT STEPS

A bottle of wine contains more wisdom than all the books in the world.
-Louis Pasteur
 NEXT STEPS
Now that you have a solid understanding of the base knowledge needed to build on,
you can move forward in your journey in wine.

The question I get most is what next? What do I need to do next if I want to know
more? Do I need to go to tastings? Do I sign up to wine courses?
Do I read books? What is my next step?

Experience wine with another eye

Signing up to a course is a great next step. But you need to think about what it is you
really want to learn.
What is it you want to do with the knowledge you will have? Do you want to know
about food and wine matching so you can choose the best wine to go with your dish?
Do you want to know what wine to buy when you go into a shop?
Do you want to know more about your palate?
Or is it simply for your general knowledgeand curiosity?

Whichever of the above it is, I think THE most important next step is knowing how to
taste wine.
I would even recommend learning this skill now, so that you can understand the
cornerstone wines even better.

Properly knowing how to taste wine is at the very base of everything else.And its not
just knowing the technique the swirling, smelling, tasting etc.This is useless if you
dont know what you are looking for and how to nd it.

Learning the proper way to taste wine and mastering this skill means you should:
- Understand the quality level of the wine
- Understand its ageing potential
- Understand where the wine is in its life
- Knowing how to describe the nose of the wine
- Knowing how to describe the palate of the wine

Once you understand this youll have the base knowledge for everything else.

PLUS youre going to enjoy the wine at a whole other level.

Once you know how to taste wine and you can nd its
secrets, the wine isnt quite the same
Its a completely other experience.
When you learn how to taste wine you educate your palate
and your senses.

Learn how to taste wine properly and wine will never be the same for you again!

32