Carl Bird

Do you like wine but don't know why? Do you always buy the same wine because it is safe? Are you intimidated by a restaurant wine list? Don't know a Merlot from a Meritage? If these questions apply to you then read on future oenophile. In this and subsequent columns we will try to demystify wine together.

The first thing that we need to know is the "Four V's" that determine the style and/or quality of the wine. They are Varietal, Vintage, Vineyard and Vinification.

The Varietal is the type of grape. The most common varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah (or Shiraz) amongst the reds and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer amongst the whites. Each type of grape has typical flavour components. Since flavour is one of the most important reasons we drink wine, it is critical to understand these components and to be able to distinguish them from one wine to the next.

Vintage is the year in which the grapes were harvested. In many regions the weather can vary greatly from year-to-year and this variance means that the wine can taste differently from one year to the next.

The location of the vineyard and the winery is important. Everything from the wine laws in place in that region, the condition of the soil and the climate of the region have a significant impact on the characteristics of the resulting wine.

Finally, there is the special brand of alchemy - the Vinification process - performed by winemakers to take what nature gives - rich grapes in combination with naturally occurring wild yeasts - which allows the winemaker to convert the fruit of the vine into a wonderfully tantalizing beverage.

So just remember the 4 V's to start with and you will be on your way to great wine knowledge.

Carl Bird has lived in Yellowknife for 16 years and has been the Area Representative for the NWT Chapter of the Opimian Society since the Fall of 2000. To learn more about wine and the Opimian Society go to www.opim.ca.