Cheers,
Tim
Wine Team Member
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An intro to exploring the world of wine
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WINE 101
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Dear Reader, Isn’t learning about wine fun? Any time you have a question, ask our store team–think of them as your very own wine guides. We’d love to help you along your journey, because we’ve traveled all over the world to bring you the best wines around. With more than 8,000 different wines in stock, you can trust that we’ll help you find a few that you’ll love!
WINE 101 GETTING TO KNOW WINE What was the first wine you tried? Maybe it was a wedding champagne toast. Or the celebratory glass of prosecco that your best friend brought to the table when you got your first big promotion. Wine is fun, and people love connecting over it and sharing stories about the best bottles they’ve tasted. But getting started with wine can be overwhelming since there are so many things to know. How do you choose a good one, or be sure you’ll like the wine inside the bottle? Don’t worry–that’s where we can help! We’ve created this Wine 101 booklet to answer questions like: • What’s a tannin anyway? • What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? • How do I choose an excellent wine to go with my meal? Learning about wine is like learning a new song. By the end of this guide, you’ll know the words, and you’ll be surprised how effortless and fun exploring wine can be.
La Vostra Prosecco 10.99
Buttercream Chardonnay 13.99 Carson Ridge Cabernet Paso Robles 11.99 TotalWine.com Prices subject to change
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From grape to glass HOW DO GRAPES BECOME WINE? Wine is simply fermented grape juice. It’s an ancient beverage that people have been enjoying for 8,000 years! That’s because a glass of wine makes a simple meal taste better, and it adds to the joy of celebrations. Depending on the kind of grapes used and the vineyard where the grapes were grown, it can have different flavors and textures.
This part of the process is flipped when making white wine
Grapes crushed
Grapes fermented
1. Ripe grapes are crushed with a machine or sometimes feet, like in ancient times.
Pressing
Aging
2. Yeast is added, and it eats the sugar in the grape juice. Fermentation is the name of the process that turns sugar into alcohol.
WHAT'S THAT GRAPE?
Bottling
3. Fermented juice is aged, often in oak bottles, so aromas and flavors can mature 4. Wine is bottled
MAJOR WINE STYLES
Wine grapes are related to the grapes in the grocery store, but they’re different because they come from a unique family of grapes ideal for making wine. Wine grapes are smaller, with thicker skins, which add flavor and color to red wines.
White Pulp firm & crunchy
Pulp soft & fleshy
More sugar
Thicker skins
TABLE GRAPES
Did you know? 800 grapes to It takes 600 tole of wine. make one bott 2
Rosé
Sparkling
Fortified
Still Wine: Wine with no bubbles. Example: Chardonnay Rose: Wine from red grapes where the skins are removed quickly so the wine doesn’t turn dark.
Seeds
WINE GRAPES (About the size of a blueberry)
Red
Sparkling: Starts as still wine, then fermented a second time in a closed container so the bubbles are trapped in the wine. Example: Champagne Fortified Wine: Get extra oomph from the addition of brandy or another spirit. Example: Port Late Harvest: Made from grapes that have stayed on the vine so long that they are dried out like raisins, concentrating the sugars. Example: Sauternes
What does that wine taste like? You’ve probably tried some of the famous wine grape varieties (they’re also called varietals). Each has its own aromas and flavors that vary depending on where it’s planted.
LIGHT
Chenin Blanc
Albariño
Gamay Beaujolais
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Noir
Riesling Sauvignon Blanc
Sangiovese
SPICE
FRUITY Zinfandel Moscato
Grenache
Chardonnay Unoaked Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Syrah
Viognier Chardonnay Oaked Merlot
Tempranillo
BOLD * Larger glasses represent most popular wine varieties Try our app!
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Around the world WHERE DOES WINE COME FROM? Wine is made all over the world, anywhere wine grapes grow. Most wine comes from Europe, which is called the Old World since that’s where wine grapes were first cultivated. Everywhere else is considered the New World. Most places in Europe are less sunny, so wines tend to have lower alcohol, higher acidity and more earthy flavors. The New World is sunnier, so wines can have higher alcohol and more prominent fruit flavors.
Old World Wine Regions New World Wine Regions
HOW DO I READ A WINE LABEL? Old World (European) wine names come from the region or village where the grapes were grown. New World wines are identified by the grape variety. The labels below both represent Pinot Noirs, but one is from California and one is France.
NEW WORLD
OLD WORLD (EUROPEAN) 4
1 2 5
4 6
2
3
1
Generally, the quality of wine increases the more specific the area is. 4
6
1
WINERY NAME / PRODUCER Who made the wine
2
WINE REGION//APPELLATION/ VILLAGE/VINEYARD Where the grapes were grown
3
VINTAGE The year the grapes were picked
4
VARIETAL • Kind of grape(s) used • For Old World wines, the growing site is more important than the grape
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VINEYARD QUALITY LEVEL Indicates the geographical origin, quality and (generally) the style of a wine.
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ESTATE NAME / BOTTLED BY Bottled at the winery/estate
See, smell, sip! The best way to develop your taste for wine, is by trying different types. The flavors, aroma and texture of each wine tells a story of what grapes it was made from, where the grapes were grown, how warm or cool the climate was and other unique characteristics. The more wines you try, the faster you’ll develop your palate and find your favorites. Tasting Tip Sometimes it’s helpful to inhale with your mouth open to really smell the full flavors of the wine.
WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
WHAT DO YOU SEE? Give the glass a swirl. See those streaks, (aka legs), traveling down the glass? Thin legs mean it’s a lighter wine; thick, slow legs means it has more alcohol or sugar.
Give it another swirl, then stick your nose in and inhale. Fruit and floral notes like lemon or cherry that come from the vineyard are called aromas. If you smell cocoa or vanilla, which comes from barrel aging, that’s called the bouquet.
WHAT DO YOU TASTE? Is the wine fruity, tangy, or slightly bitter? The best wines have a balance of all of these that makes you want another sip. That bitter flavor that dries out your tongue can come from alcohol or tannin, which naturally is in the skin and seeds of a grape. Red wines have more tannin than white wines.
WINE AROMA & FLAVOR WHEEL WHITE WINE
Citrus
RED WINE
Black Fruit
Stones
Earth Flavors
Fruit Flavors
Tropical Vanilla
Almond
Earth Flavors
Fruit Flavors
Grass
Wood Flavors
Flowers
Red Fruit
Mushroom Tobacco
Wood Flavors
Vanilla
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Cabernet CABERNET SAUVIGNON
0 Here are our top sellers but come explore 1,10 Cabernets in our store.
PRIMARY PRIMARYFLAVORS FLAVORS
Typical Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Black Currant
France = Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and/ or Petit Verdot
Plum
Tobacco
Chocolate
Anise
Leather
Old world (European) (e.g. France, Italy)
New world (e.g. US, Argentina, Chile, South Africa)
Argentina Sometimes blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Malbec, Cab Franc or Petit Verdot Italy = Super Tuscan Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and/ or Cabernet Franc
TASTE PROFILES
Luc Pirlet Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 11.99
Courtney Benham Cabernet Napa 19.99
Iter Cabernet Napa 19.99
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Olema Cabernet Sonoma County 29.99
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BEVERAGE DYNAMICS
JAMES SUCKLING
1858 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 34.99
Cabernet Pinot Noir Merlot
Fruit
6
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
Mascota Vineyards Unanime 27.99
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Pinot Noir
Pinot Noirs from central CA are a lot bolder than ones from Oregon.
Ropiteau Pinot Noir 9.99
D’Autrefois Pinot Noir 14.99
Samuel Robert Winery Pinot Noir Vintner’s Reserve Willamette 15.99
Verada Pinot Noir Tri-County 16.99
Vennstone Pinot Noir Tri Appellation 19.99
Kudos Pinot Noir Willamette 17.99
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Did you know? Pinot Noir is used in the production of Champagne. TotalWine.com Prices subject to change
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Chardonnay CHARDONNAY
Here are our top sellers but come explore 750 Chardonnays in our store!
PRIMARY FLAVORS
Citrus
Almond
Vanilla
Minerals
Pineapple
Peach
Luc Pirlet Chardonnay Unoaked 12.49
Cloud Break Chardonnay 8.99
Green Apple
Apple
Crème Brûlée
Old world (European) Unoaked (e.g. Chablis)
New world Unoaked (e.g. Oregon)
New world Oaked (e.g. California, Australia)
ALSO KNOWN AS 1. White Burgundy
2. Pouilly-Fuissé
3. Chablis
Firebrand Chardonnay 9.99
River Road Chardonnay Unoaked 13.99
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TASTE PROFILES
Chardonnay
Amici Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 25.99
Sauvignon Blanc Riesling
Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay Sonoma County 27.99
Fruit 8
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
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Sauvignon Blanc
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sparkling
PRIMARY FLAVORS
Lime
Tarragon
Grapefruit
COUNTRY
SPARKLING WINE
CHAMPAGNE
PROSECCO
CAVA
SEKT
USA
France
Italy
Spain
Germany
Almond
Peach
Green Apple
Melon
Lime
Citrus
Toast
Honey
Toast
Tangerine
Cherry
Strawberry
Vanilla Wafer
Baking Spices
Cookie
Traditional Traditional and Tank
Tank
Traditional
Tank
FLAVORS
Minerals
Grass
Green Apple
Bell Pepper
Old world (European) Unoaked (e.g. Sancerre)
New world Unoaked (e.g. Marlborough New Zealand)
Dill
White Peach
New world Oaked (e.g. California Fumé Blanc)
PRODUCTION
ALSO KNOWN AS 1. White Bordeaux
2. Pouilly-Fumé
3. Sancerre
Kia Ora Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 13.99
Borrasca Brut Cava 9.99
Tesoro della Regina Prosecco 19.99
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Mailly Brut Reserve Grand Cru 39.99
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WINE & SPIRITS
Salmon Sancerre Vieilles Vignes 29.99
In cooler climates like France, you might find stronger flavors of lime or green apple.
WINE SPECTATOR
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Wine + Food = Yum HOW DO I PAIR MY MEAL WITH WINE? There are no more rules when it comes to pairing wine and food, so enjoy your favorite food with any wine you like! Just remember these four guidelines for sublime matches that make both the wine and food taste even better.
LIGHT DRY WHITE WINE Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner
Green Veggies
Roasted Veggies
Fish
SWEET WHITE WINE Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Moscato
Soft Cheese Find a sweet spot Dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert. Otherwise, the wine will taste sour.
Pasta with White Sauce
Desserts
Nuts
Spicy Food
RICH WHITE WINE Chardonnay, Oaked Whites, Viognier
Opposites attract Riesling with spicy Thai dishes; Champagne with french fries. White Meat
Roasted Veggies
Pasta with White Sauce
Shellfish
SPARKLING WINE Champagne, Franciacorta, Prosecco, Cava
What grows together, goes together Foods and wines grown in the same region taste good together; goat cheese and Sancerre, lamb and Pinot Noir.
Like goes with like Chardonnay with buttery pasta sauce; Cabernet Sauvignon with steak.
Follow the green lines to find tasty flavor pairings; the flavors linked by red lines will clash.
Soft Cheese
Hard Cheese
Popcorn
Fish
ROSÉ WINE
Seafood
Paté or Fois Gras
Pork
Shellfish
LIGHT RED WINE Grenache, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
Fatty
Spicy Red Meat
Pork
Pasta with Red Sauce
White Meat
MEDIUM RED WINE Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo
Salty
Bitter
Hard Cheese
Red Meat
Lamb
Pizza
BIG RED WINE Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Mourvedre
Sweet
Acidic Bold cheese
Pairings that match
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Pairings that clash
Roasted Veggies
Red meat
Chocolate
Ready to serve WHAT WINE GLASS DO I USE?
WHAT TEMPERATURE IS BEST?
There are lots of different opinions on choosing the right glass for your wine. You don’t need a different glass for each varietal, but make sure your glass directs the wine’s aroma to your nose and is roomy enough for the wine’s aromas and bouquet to develop. Here are a few suggestions by varietal to help you get started.
We drink most white wines too cold and red wines too warm. Do this instead: • Take white wines out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving. • Put red wine into the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving. Sparkling wines should be served ice cold to keep the bubbles fine, not foamy.
SPARKLING WINE
LIGHT RED WINE
DRY WHITE WINE
MEDIUM RED WINE
SWEET WHITE WINE
BOLD RED WINE
HOW DO I STORE WINE?
RICH WHITE WINE
DESSERT WINE
}
58°–64°F
FORTIFIED WINES Port, Sherry
60°–65°F
FULL-BODIED REDS Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot
54°–60°F
LIGHT- TO MEDIUMBODIED REDS Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
50°–55°F
FULL-BODIED WHITES Oaked Chardonnay
45°–50°F
LIGHT, DRY WHITES, ROSÉ Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
41°–45°F
SPARKLING Champagne, Cava
Wine should always be stored on i ts side to prevent Wine should always be stored on the cork from drying out. its side to prevent the cork from drying out.
Wine Wineshould shouldbebestored storedinina regulated consistent environmentwith withcooler coolertemperature temperature and away environment and away frombright brightlights lights- like - likethe thefloor floor a closet from ofof a closet oror basement. basement.
Have leftover wine? Re-cork it to keep oxygen Have leftover Re-cork it to keep oxygen out out and storewine? it in the refrigerator. Sparkling and store it in the refrigerator. Sparkling wine is wine is good for 3 days, red wines last 3-5 days good for 3 days, 3-5 days andtowhites and whites canred be wines storedlast opened for up a week. can be stored opened for up to a week. Try our app!
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