That wine guy

Wine terms defined, no longer just for snobs

Michael Banias

Reading wine columns in various newspapers, I am a little disappointed by some of the wines that are reviewed. Spending $20 on a bottle is usually not an option for students who have to pay for tuition, books, rent, bus fare and other expenses. That’s why I want to find for you some great wines within the $10 to $12 range, perfect for a student’s budget. Great wine doesn’t need to be expensive, and I hope this series will help in keeping your palates moist.

Beer drinkers do not fear. I will also feature an imported beer in every article. Though I love wine, I love my beer, too, and I will definitely find some great ones for you.

To start off, I will define some basic wine terms. Wine is no longer for the rich and aristocratic. Wine is for everyone, and listening to some egocentric old man with a monocle talking about a wine’s “impudent but playfully obsequious flavour” is definitely a thing of the past.

Let’s get started with some of the basics.

Nose: Basically, it’s smell. To say that a wine has some “lemon on the nose” means it has a lemon scent.

Palate: Another easy one, it’s what you taste. If a wine has a “gentle acidity” on the palate, it means that it feels acidic in your mouth.

Tannins: Though this can get quite scientific, they are bitter compounds in the seeds and skins of grapes. They can also be found in barrels. Tannins give wine the ability to age. They also dry out your mouth and give wine a sort of chewy character. Eat the skin of a table grape and you’ll see what I mean.

Finish: This is the taste that sits in your mouth after you swallow, often a good sign since quality wines usually leave a good finish.

Body: This refers to the weight of the wine in your mouth. So if a wine is full-bodied, that means it feels and tastes heavy. This is usually categorized as full, medium or light.

There are more, but these are the basics. But let’s stop wasting time, right? On to the drink!

For beer drinkers, try Pilsner Urquell (MLCC - $1.76/330ml btl). This is the original Pilsner, and comes from Pilsn in the Czech Republic. It’s a little heavier and more floral than most of its American impersonators, but it’s a nice crisp beer with a little bit of bite. A touch of sweetness in this beer as well, no wonder they call it the king of Pilsners. Try it with spicy Thai or Indian food, perhaps even chili or a good stew.

As for wine, I have a great one from Italy for you, Cecchi Bonizio, Sangiovese 2003 (MLCC and private shops - $10.70). This is a great Sangiovese from Tuscany, with some nice earthy and fruit flavours. This is a good wine for pasta night, and is a steal at just over a tenner. Look for cherry and some light spices on the palate. Overall, a nice wine for a barbecue, pasta night or pizza.

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