Becky Stahley

My mission is to inspire you to make wine a part of your daily life. To accomplish this I want to expose you to new wines and deconstruct the complexity of wine. I hope you learn something new along the way.

 

 

 

 

Alcohol Content in Wine

The alcohol content in wine has gone up dramatically over the past decade driven largely by the critics and a desire to produce intense, flavorful wine.  Wine makers have been leaving grapes on the vine well after they would have in the past.  The result of this is a fuller bodied wine with more alcohol.  To determine the amount of alcohol a bottle of wine has check the label as it is mandatory to be listed on the label.

Moderately Low Level of Alcohol (12.5%-13.5%)
Typical Varietals: French Beaujolais and Burgundy, Italian Chianti, and Spanish Rioja

High Level of Alcohol (13.5%-14.5%)
Typical Varietals California Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir

Very High Level of Alcohol (more than 14.5%)
Typical Varietals California Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Port

Alcohol Content and Wine as it affects Food

Food is best paired with wines which are low in alcohol content as they will not overpower the flavors of the food.  Here are some guidelines to follow that may prove helpful:

Put similar flavors together with your wine and food as a example;
1. pair a rich chardonnay with a rich butter based sauce
2. pair an earthy pinot noir with mushrooms

Here is another guide that may prove helpful:

If the food is......                                        The wine will seem.......

salty                                                              less sour

sweet                                                            less sweet or dry

spicy                                                             more alcoholic

tangy                                                             less acidic

fatty                                                               less tannic and lighter in body

smokey or toasty                                           less oaky

If the wine is...............                                             The food will seem...........

sweet                                                                    less sweet

high in acid                                                               less salty and less sour

subtle in flavor                                                       more intense

bold in flavor                                                                 less intense

tannic                                                                                 less oily (fatty foods) and less flavorful (low fat foods)

 

Wine Pick of the Month:

 









 

Cheval Quancard Reserve, Baordeaux 2010

$9.99 Bev Mo (on the 5 cent sale)

13.5% alcohol content will pair great with dinner