There are many kinds of beverages in the world. And one of the most loved beverages in the world is wine.

Wine is an alcoholic drink that is derived from the fermentation of grape juice. Due to the natural chemical composition and balance of the grapes, the fruit ferments without adding sugars, acids, enzymes and other nutrients.

Although grapes are the most common fruit that is used, other fruits, berries and even grains can be used to produce wine. For example, wines such as apple wine or elderberry wine are made from apples and elderberries, respectively. Japanese sake is made from rice. Philippine tuba is fermented from coconut sap. Generally, wines that are not made from fruit almost taste like beer. In most cases, wines refer to beverages that have high alcohol content.

The word “wine” came from the Proto-Germanic word “winam.” This is in reference to the Latin “vinum” which means grape vine. Also, similar words referring to wine or grapes can be found in Semitic and Gregorian languages. These words are considered to be very old.

Wines are usually made from more than one variety of Vitis vinifera. This is a European species and the main ingredient in producing wine, comprising Merlot, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. The wine product can be varietal or blended. Varietal wines use predominant grapes. A blended wine is in no way substandard to varietal types. Some of the best, priciest and most valued wines in the world are a mix of various varieties of grape fruit.

The sale and classification of wine are governed by regulations in diverse regions worldwide. For instance, France has their appellation system that ranges from table wines through appellation of original control. Germany built up a comparable system. Italy and Spain have their own classifications as well basing on a double system of the origin region and product quality. The wine labeled as new world is categorized by grape and not by origin or quality.

Usually, the name of the wine roots from its area of production. European wines are commonly produced in Chianti, Rioja or Bordeaux and the grapes that they use are Merlot, Chardonnay or Pinot. The names breed from their grape varieties combined with the region of manufacture.

Some names of wines use marketing terms. Copyright law or trademark governs the applications of these wine names. There are more other terms being used to classify a wine and these include: white or red wine, rose wine, table wines, sparkling wines, cooking wine, fortified wine and dessert wines.

Meanwhile, a wine may be classified according to one’s primary palate impression. They are a blend of substances identical or similar to vegetables, spices and fruits. Wine’s sweetness is determined through the residual sugar amount in it, after the process of fermentation is done. Specific flavors can also be sensed because of its extreme blend of complex organic molecules. 

So much wine, and only one lifetime to try it all!  I hope you enjoy all the interesting information I've put together for this website.