Wine is one of the most enjoyable drinks. There are different types of wines and people have varied preferences of wines. Wine collectors differ on the content of their residential custom wine cellar depending on what they like best. The question is, what all affects the taste of wine? In this article, learn a few of the various factors that can affect the taste of wine.
Basic Factors That Affect How Wine Tastes
For most people, wine has become a staple beverage for special occasions and gatherings. It is an enjoyable beverage and comes in several varieties to choose from. This is why a lot of people opt to have their own home custom wine cellar built in Los Angeles, CA; so that they can access their wine at any time.
A genuine wine lover should have an extensive knowledge of wines, and should also continue learning more about the wines included in their wine collection. Regardless of the types of wine a wine collector prefers, it’s always helpful to gain a better understanding of which factors affect the flavor of wines.
These are the basic factors known to affect the flavor of the wines in a home custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California:
1. Grape Variety
The single most influential factor that affects the flavor of wine is the type of grape from which it was made. In reality, it is impossible to count the actual number of grape varieties in the world. Italy alone boasts of more than a thousand types of grapes.
Each type of grape has its own distinct character. One of the interesting things that wine enthusiasts do is find words that can precisely describe the smell and taste of a particular grape. In this case, personal impressions of a single grape type can vary enormously, but a number of common responses are recorded by wine tasters.
What affects the flavor of wines in a wine cellar?
2. Vineyard
The climate, altitude and soil composition of the vineyard wherein the grapes were grown largely affects the ultimate flavor of a given wine. A few more extra degrees of warmth in a region can make a wine taste more exotic, and have tropical flavors. Altitude, on the other hand, makes a wine more acidic, which also affects the taste. Grape varieties that were grown in different parts of the same country can have significant flavor differences when a number of different latitudes are involved. Vineyards close to the sea tend to have grapes that ripen more slowly than grapes grown in hot, insulated, inland vineyards.
3. Oak
It is a traditional practice to ferment wine in oak barrels, and it is within these barrels that wines acquire their vanilla aromas and toasty flavors. There are many species of oak, which fall into two categories: European and American. The type of oak barrel used for aging wine affects how the final product will taste.
4. Tannin and Acidity
There is an advantage to being able to recognize the presence of tannin in wine. The presence of tannin can give you a clue of the wine’s potential longevity. It can also tell about the grape variety from which it was made.
The tannin in wine comes from the skins, stems and pips of the grapes used in the wine making process. Tannins can also come from the wooden barrels wherein the wine was fermented. Some grapes are low in tannin, while others are rich in it. Tannins in wine decrease over time, and therefore, if a certain wine has high tannin content, it most probably will be better tasting when allowed to age in a residential wine cellar before consumption.
Grapes also vary in their level of natural acidity, and the differences occur not only from one variety of grapes to another, but also from one region to another. It is the presence of acids that makes an alcoholic fruit juice into a refreshing glass of wine. But in order to achieve this, there needs to be a balance of acidity. Well balanced acidity helps inhibit the effects of harmful bacteria. and makes wine taste fresh.
5. Time
Generally, as wine gets older, its flavor and aroma will dramatically change. When wines are allowed to mature, harsh tannins soften, acids and alcohol interact and form esters, and primary fruit flavors evolve into complex bouquets. Wine is said to have reached a platform of drinkability when mature fruit and alcohol are in balance. This balance can take years to develop.
In order for wines to mature tastefully, they need to be kept in controlled climate conditions. The temperature, for example, should be kept within the ideal range of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity should remain around 70%. There should be minimal fluctuations in these climate conditions.
The most ideal place to age wine is in a home custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, CA. A residential custom wine cellar, when properly built, with the right insulation and efficient wine cellar cooling system, can provide wines with the necessary conditions in order for them to develop their flavors and aromas.
There are many different kinds of wine cellars in Los Angeles, California. Regardless of the kind you prefer, make sure that it is constructed by a professional wine cellar builder. Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is one of the most competent wine cellar builders in California. Their wine cellars are not only durable and functional, but also come in various styles and designs to choose from. Coastal offers free 3D wine cellar design drawing to their clients at the initial consultation. Their team of wine cellar builders is trained to work alongside clients, from the planning phase of the wine cellar construction up to its completion.
Keep Wines in a Proper Wine Storage Solution
Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is partners with the best companies in the wine storage industry, to make sure that the wine cellars they build in Los Angeles, CA meet their standard of quality. Coastal is known for consistently meeting their customers’ satisfaction.
For more information about Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, and their products and services, contact them today at +1 (888) 735-8889.