Wine 101: The Components of Wine

For many of you, wine might be a favorite drink. It might taste good, it might make you look sophisticated, it might be good for your heart, but … do you really know what you are ingesting? The simple answer is grapes. Sure, but there’s a lot more to it. In this first part of the Wine 101 series, I take a look at the components of wine.

Water

Surprisingly, wine is mostly water. Yes, water. But not tap water, instead, it’s water that comes naturally from the grapes used in the wine making process. For many people long ago, alcoholic beverages were a way of safely consuming non-contaminated and safe to drink water. Luckily today we can buy bottled water making wine no longer a necessity but more so something to be enjoyed.

Fruit

You might use grapes to make wine but the key in this wine component is to find noble grapes that evoke aromas of fruits other than grapes. The wine making process helps to break down the organic acids and alcohol which forms compounds that imitate the aroma of other fruits.

Alcohol

Wine typically consists of 10-15 percent ethyl alcohol. For you chemists, thats C₂H₅OH.

Sugar

No all sugars become fermented in the wine making process. Some sugars remain and these are known as residual sugars. The more residual sugars that remain the more than sweetness becomes apparent.

Tannin

Tannin is considered a sort of natural preservative and is the key component in allowing wines to improve with age. Tannin is extracted mainly from grape skins.

Glycerin

You wouldn’t want to drink watery wine now would you? Glycerin gives wine a bit of drinkable thickness if you will. The glycerin is a by-product of the fermentation process.

Oak

The oak here is in reference to oak barrel used in the fermenting process. The type of oak used has an effect on the final wine product. Taste can change depending on barrel aging, using new or old oak and even using oak from different parts of the globe. Oak adds character to the wine.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is yet another by-productof the fermentation process. Although allowed to escape during the wine making process, some CO₂ remains in the end product which adds a bit of a fizz to the wine.

I hope you enjoyed this first part of the Wine 101 series! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below. And if you know someone that loves wine but isn’t really sure what it’s made of then be sure to pass on a link to this article!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user 2create.

Double Koi Organic Green Tea

My passion for loose leaf tea is really growing. In the past week my loose leaf collection has grown thanks to Mighty Leaf Tea Company and Lupicia Fresh Tea. Double Koi Organic Tea Company is a brand that I discovered through Twitter and after quickly browsing their offerings I was impressed. They are know nfor their flavored organic teas that are imported from Asia.

“Double Koi Tea Company is a progressive and innovative tea company, designed to offer consumers gourmet quality organic tea. We take pride in packaging your tea fresh from the time you order. It is hand-packed and hand-sealed, so that each bag of tea is inspected thoroughly by diligent human eyes. We are committed to shipping only the best leaves and petals to your home.”

Below are the Organic Raspberry and Apple Green Tea Blends. The Raspberry tea “have natural raspberry bits, and natural hibiscus flower petals. A marriage of delicate aromas and sensual flavor.”

The Organic Apple Blend Green tea is imported from China and features: a blend of organic green tea leaves, organic safflowers thread, and organic apple flavor.

And while you’re shopping at Double Koi, why not pick up a tea pot to brew your loose leaf tea. “This round teapot is crafted with the Happiness Kanji on the side. It is adorable and very zen. The classic black color will compliment any tabletop or display. It will make a great collectible piece. Care instructions: Hand wash with soap and water.”

Buy the Organic Green Teas from Double Koi Tea Company for $9 – $40 (1.5 oz. to 16 oz)

Buy the Cast Iron Happiness Kanji Teapot from Double Koi Tea Company for $80.

Waialua Soda Works

I was introduced to Waialua Soda a few years ago and have been a fan ever since. I usually get the same two flavors, Root Beer and Pineapple, but I can definitely vouch for the Lilikoi flavored soda. The sodas comes in 12 oz bottles and offer a taste that is crisp, clean and refreshing. Waialua Soda is widely available in Hawaii and is also available at a few select mainland locations. You can also find it online at Pop Soda and Soda King.

“Waialua Soda Works, Inc. brings back the “experience” of drinking soda by using natural, high quality ingredients to create a refreshing and lightly carbonated gourmet soda. Down to the glass bottle, Waialua Soda Works is a source for the nostalgic soda connoisseur, and those who prefer to savor a purer beverage”

Buy Waialua Soda from Pop Soda for $1.09 a bottle.

Wailua Wheat Ale | Kona Brewing Company

If you enjoy wheat beers then I am sure that you will enjoy this limited release ale from the Kona Brewing Company. It’s infused with passion fruit but it is far from being a fruity beer. It is actually quite similar to a Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen and it goes down just as easy.

“Swimming in a fresh water pool at the base of a cascading waterfall is what we all imagine we would find in paradise. On Maui, follow the old Hana Highway and you will find such a place – Wailua Falls. This plunging cascade of clear water is the inspiration for our Limited Release Wailua Wheat Ale. This golden, sun colored ale has a bright, citrusy flavor that comes from the tropical passion fruit we brew into each batch. Sit back, relax and enjoy paradise anytime.”