Question:
How can I tell if a wine is fine?
How to Judge a Fine Wine
Fine wines are considered the highest end, rare and super-premium wines and are typically the most expensive. There are many controversial opinions and standards that apply to what is considered fine wines. By definition, a "fine wine" is a wine considered superior in kind, quality, or appearance. However, this term is debatable in the wine industry. Wine experts use terms like class, breed, authority, aristocracy and polish to better define fine wines. Rating wine is the easiest way to determine how fine it is. Below are some basic criteria you can use at home to judge the quality of your wines. These four main criteria are the defining factors used by top winemakers in the world to label their vintage bottles. Balance: A wine must be equal or greater than the sum of its parts. No one particular component should dominate the taste. For example, a wine shouldn't be too fruity or too acidic. Length: The wine experience must not be too fleeting. It should be linger in your mouth. Complexity: The wine must have a mysterious nature to it. It should not be too straightforward or simplistic. Typicity: The wine should reflect the highest achievements from within its particular region and style.
Wines Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accessories are there out there for wine?
Does the type of glass I drink wine in matter?
Should I stay away from wines with screw tops?
How can I carry wine and glasses from place to place?
How can I accessorize my wine cellar?
How do I decant different wines?
Is one decantor design better than another?
How should I care for my wine glasses?
How can I find out more about Australian wines?
What is Cabernet and which should I buy?
What are the California wine varietals?
What is Chardonnay and which ones should I buy?
Are all white Burgundy wines made from Chardonnay grapes?
Italy is known for its red wines, but are there any good white ones?
What are the top wine regions in the world?
What are the different Spanish wine regions?
What should I pay attention to on wine labels?
What wine terms should I know?
Are all sparkling wines Champagne?
What are the red wine varietals?
What are white wine varietals?
How should I open a bottle of Champagne?
How can I tell if a wine is fine?
What does it mean when a wine is labeled "specialty"?
How helpful is the Web in helping me order wine?
Why should I understand the language on a wine label?
Ice wine is generally expensive so how can I find it at low cost?
Can I find good wine for less than $10?
How can I choose a new wine that I will like?
Where can I shop for wine online?
How should I store my wine once I buy it?
Should I be embarrassed to buy Merlot?
Is buying wine online popular?
Are certain wines better for certain seasons?
Are there health benefits to drinking red wine?
Should I always chill whites and warm reds?
Should I worry about the alcohol level in my glass of wine?
What wine should I serve at my dinner party?
Where can I read more about wine?
Why do I break out in hives after I drink wine?
What do I do if I break the cork while opening a bottle of wine?
Can I send a personalized wine gift?
Should I care how the wine I buy has been stored?
What are some fun and unique wine gifts?
How do I choose the right wine gift basket?
Why would I want to join a wine club?
What if I have no idea what wine to give for a specific occasion?
Can I send a wine gift to another state?
How do I begin to plan a wine tour as a gift?
Can I ship chocolate and wine baskets during the summer?
What up-to-date wine price guides are on the market?
Is there an easy way to search for a particular wine?
How can I learn more about French wine?
Are wine tasting guides worth bringing to wine tastings?
Where can I find wine education books?
What equipment should I buy to make my first batch of wine?
How do I make sure I use the best grapes for making wine?
How do I monitor sugar levels when making wine?
What do I do if the my grapes are too cold as I make wine at home?
How do I bottle my homemade wine?
What tools to I need to make wine labels?
What new technology is out there for home wine makers?
How should I store my homemade wine?
Can I compete nationally with my homemade wine?
Do wine making kits have all the answers?
How do I host a wine tasting party?
Where can I find great wine events in my city?
Should I spit when I'm tasting wine?
What shouldn't I do before a wine tasting?
Should I write down my wine tasting experiences?
Why do people swish wine in their mouths before swallowing?
What rules should I follow when tasting wine?
What should I do at a vineyard tasting room?
What is a horizontal wine tasting?
Where are some places in California where I can taste wine?
What are the laws regarding shipping wine?
Can I send wine by Federal Express?
What is EC levels and why are they bad in my wine?
What do I do if wine shipment is damaged?
Can I save money by shopping locally online?
How do online companies make sure consumers are of age to drink?
What is the United States law for how much alcohol can be in wine?
What do I need to consider when shipping wine overseas?
Where is my wine kept if my shipment is prolonged?
Can you tell me about sweet wines and the late harvest?
When is wine harvested in New Zealand?
Which wines are good with certain foods?
Why do people swirl wine in their glass?
Is there any way to save money when buying wine?
Any suggestions for a great gift for a special occasion like an anniversary or wedding?
Are grapes still harvested by hand and crushed by foot?
Can I make wine out of something other than grapes?
Are there preferred materials for shipping and packaging wine?
How can I learn about wine jargon?
Can I make a white wine from red grapes?
What should I look for when purchasing stemware?
How can I keep track of wines that I like?
What good wine books can you recommend?
How can I keep learning about wine?
What wines pair with Christmas ham?
What wine suggestions do you have for Thanksgiving?
What food friendly white wines can you recommend?
What are some classic food and wine pairings to remember when dining out?
In a restaurant, what wine should I order if everyone is eating something different on the menu?
