As euphoric an experience as wine tasting usually is, it can be daunting for some, especially the more casual wine appreciators. The good news is you don’t have to be a sommelier to taste wine like a pro. It just takes a little basic knowledge and perspective.
Archive for Food and Wine
For nearly as long as humans have been making and drinking wine, it has been considered to have medicinal properties. In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder wrote of the anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties of wine, while in ancient Egypt, wines were a critical component of many medicines. More recently, scientific studies have uncovered some of the remarkable health benefits of moderate wine consumption, giving us valuable insight into how wine can be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.
With the 2019 harvest completed, the holiday season flurry behind us, and the grapevines gently slumbering in the vineyard, one might be tempted to think life takes on a slower pace at 2Hawk after the new year. In reality, winter at 2Hawk is a change of pace, but it’s anything but slow!
Coming face to face with a wall of wines at your local shop can be an intimidating experience. Should you select by price? Favorite varietal? Prettiest label? With so many options and just the shelf talkers to go on, you may feel paralyzed by the possibilities.
Sulfites. You’ve probably heard the term used in regards to wine … but what are they? Do 2Hawk wines contain them? Why are there sulfites in wine, anyway? A natural byproduct of fermentation, sulfites are present in all wines to a degree. More than just a byproduct, they’re a powerful, natural preservative and essential to the winemaking process.
“What are tannins, and can you taste them in wine?” We get questions like this fairly often in the 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery tasting room. Found naturally in grapes, tannins are antioxidant polyphenols that impart dryness, astringency, and mouthfeel to wines. They play a crucial role in the winemaking process, starting at harvest and continuing on even as wines age in the bottle.
Boasting 180 vineyards spanning over 4,000 acres, Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley is home to more than 70 different varieties, totaling some 10,000 tons of grapes each year. But what makes the Rogue Valley so special, and why do so many wineries call this region home? Just like a great wine, it’s a careful balance of the right factors.
Another harvest is over. All of the new wines are in barrel, and it’s time to reflect on how the vintage has taken shape and to give thanks for what Mother Nature provided. One of the most frequent questions I’m asked this time of year is, “What wine pairs well with a special holiday meal?”