BASIC

WINE GUIDE
ALMOST CLEAR DEEP GOLD
Sparkling Wine, ‘noble rot’ Wines
Vinho Verde, Resling, Chenin
Muscadet, Blanc, Semillion
Resling

PALE SALMON
GREEN YELLOW Rose of Pinot
Sauvignon Blanc, Noir, Carignan,
Verdejo, Gruner and Zinfandel
Veltiner

DEEP PINK
PALE GOLD Rose of Meriot,
Albariño, Pinot Grenache and
Gris, Semillion Sanglovese
Gargenaga

DEEP SALMON
PALE YELLOW Rose of Cabernet
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon and
Moscato, Pinot Tempranillo
Blanc, Gewurztraminer

PALE RUBY
PALE GOLD Pinot Noir, Gamay,
Chardonnay, Nebblolo and
Roussanne, Grenache
Vlognier
DEEP VIOLET
Sanglovese,
Merlot, Cabernet WINE GLASSES
Franc, Zinfandel,
Tempranillo,
Barbera Sparkling Wine Flute

DEEP PURPLE White Wine Glass

Syrah, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec,
Mourvedre, Petite Standard Wine Glass
Sirah, Petit Verdot,
Nero d’ Avola,
Aglianico Light Red Wine Glass

TAWNY Bold Red Wine Glass

Sherry, Port,
Madeira, Marsala,
Muscat and very old wines Dessert Wine Glass

Decoding a Wine Label

THE PRODUCER
The winery’s name is not
always this obvious. Many
bottles show the largest text
after the region, such as
“Burgundy.” It’s also
common to see the wine
blend named, such as “The
Prisoner.” If you like the
wine learn what winery
produced it.
THE VINTAGE
Every year, changes in
weather affect the flavour of
wine grapes. Some
vintages taste better than
others, so pay attention.
SULPHITES
By law, wines with over 10
PPM (parts per million)
must list content. Most
wines range from 20-200
PPM which is nominal
compared to most
commercially dried fruit.
THE VARIETY
In the US, a wine must
contain at least 75% of the
listed variety. In countries
where wine is named after
the region learn the
associated grapes. (i.e.
Riola is Tempranillio,
Beaujolas is Gamay, & Red
Burgundy is Pinot Noir)
THE REGION
Where exactly does the
wine come from? Some
regions are better at certain
types of grape varieties
than others. For instance,
Columbia Valley is known
for bold red wines like
Syrah.
ALCOHOL LEVEL
The alcohol level can help
distinguish how bold the
wine tastes. A red wine with
over 14.5% alcohol by
volume will taste bolder
than a red wine with 12.5%
ABV.
WINE WITH FOOD
SALTY FOODS
Fries, Potato Chips, Caviar,
Anchovies, Sushi, Popcorn
MEATS: Fish and Shellfish,
Chicken and other Poultry
WINES: Most sparkling
wines
VEGETABLE DISHES
Salads, Sauced
Vegetables, Roasted
Vegetables
MEATS: Flaky Fish,
Chicken
WINES: Albariño, Gruner
Veltiner, Gargenega,
Muscadet, Pinot Gris,
Sauvignon Blanc,
Trebbiano, Vermeniano
SPICY CUISINE
Indian, Thailand Chinese
Cuisine
MEATS: Only fish and
chicken
WINES: Chervin Blanc,
Gawurztraminer, Moscato,
Restling, Torrontes
 SIMPLE DISHES
CREAMY DISHES Cheese, Bread, Hors d’
Cream Soups, Cream- Oeuvres, Cream Soups and
based Pasta, Quiche, Pasta White Pizza, French
Creamy Lasagna, Risotto, Cuisine
French Cuisine MEATS: Pork Chop,
MEATS: Rich Shellfish, Chicken, Duck, Turkey and
Chicken and other Poultry other poultry
WINES: Chardonnay, WINES: Pinot Noir, St.
Samillion, Viognier, Laurent, Gamay, Carignan,
Marsanne, Roussanne Counoise, Zweigelt

RICHLY FLAVORED ROASTED FOOD

FOODS Italian Cuisine, Spanish
Mediterranean Cuisine, Cuisine, Pizza, Roasted
Moroccan, Indian Cuisine, Vegetables
Spiced Dishes MEATS: Pork, Duck, Lamb,
MEATS: Rich Shellfish, Cured Meats, Sausages
Pork Loin, Chicken and WINES: Sanguiovese,
other poultry Tempranillo, Cabernet
WINES: Most dry Rose Franc, Barbara, Merlot,
wine Negro amaro, Zinfandel,
Carmenere, Nabbiolo
RICH MEATS
Roasted Smoked and
Barbecued Meats
MEATS: Beef, Lamb, Pork,
Verison, Sausages, Cured
Meat
WINES: Cabernet,
Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec,
Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot,
Mourvedre, Nero d’Avola
TASTING TIPS
What do you smell?
How intense?
Name a few fruit flavors.
Identify other flavors.
Does it have a mineral
smell?
Is the wine oaked?

SWEETS
Cakes, Cookies, Chocolate,
Pie, Ice Cream, Soft
Cheese Fruit
WINES: Port, Tawry, Port,
Sherry, Sausernes,
Madeira, Vin Santo,
Muscat, Late Harvest
Wines