Monday, 30 September 2013

Summer Brief - What Interests me? FINAL CHOICE

WINE;

wine 1 |wʌɪn|
noun [ mass noun ]
an alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice: he opened a bottle of red wine | [ count noun ] : the regional foods and wines of France.


• [ with modifier ] an alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of specified other fruits or plants: a glass of elderflower wine.

I chose to pick Wine as my main choice, as the packaging of it is one of my favourite areas within graphic design and like many I enjoy a glass or two.


I started my research by looking into the History of Wine.


History: 


The English word "wine" comes from the Proto-Germanic *winam, an early borrowing from the Latin vinum, "wine" or "(grape) vine".


Little is actually known of the early history of wine. It is plausible that early foragers and farmers made alcoholic beverages from wild fruits, including grapes of the species Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris, ancestor to modern wine grapes. This would have become easier following the development of pottery vessels in the later Neolithic of the Near Easr about 11,000 BCE.


Wine in Moderation

Wine has evolved as part of European life, culture and diet since time immemorial. Wine making emerged in Europe with the expansion of the Roman Empire throughout the Mediterranean, when many major wine producing regions that still exist today were established. Even then wine making was a precise husbandry that fostered the development of different grape varieties and cultivation techniques. Barrels for storing and shipping emerged, bottles were used for the first time, and even a rudimentary appellation system developed as certain regions gained a reputation for fine wine. As wine production became progressively refined, its popularity increased, and wine taverns became a common feature in cities throughout the Empire. 

The culture of wine in Europe predates the Romans: in ancient Greece, wine was praised by poets, historians and artists, and was frequently referred to in the works of Aesop and Homer. In Greece, however, wine was considered the privilege of the upper classes. Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, represented not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. He was viewed as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace — as well as the patron deity of agriculture and the theatre. Indeed, according to ancient Greek historian Thucydides, “the peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learnt to cultivate the olive and the vine”.

With the passing of the centuries, the art of wine making spread to France, Spain, Germany and parts of Britain. By this time, wine was considered an important part of daily diet and people began to favour stronger, heavier wines. European appreciation of wine endured throughout the Dark Ages. Partly because drinking water was still unreliable, wine was the preferred alternative to accompany meals. At the same time, viticulture and viniculture advanced thanks to the husbandry of Church monasteries across the continent, which gave rise to some of the finest vineyards in Europe. The Benedictine monks, for example, became one of Europe’s largest wine producers with vineyards in France’s Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux regions, as well as in the Rheingau and Franconia regions of Germany. The merchant and noble classes had wine with every meal and maintained well-stocked cellars.

During the 16th century wine became appreciated as a more sophisticated alternative to beer and as wine products began to diversify, consumers began to value the concept of varying their drinking habits. People began to discuss the virtues and vices of wine with greater gusto than in previous centuries. Elizabethan England’s celebrated bard Shakespeare remarked that “good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used”, implicitly commenting on the misuse of wine at this time. The Shakespearian era saw the availability of fresh drinking water in London, a breakthrough that moved the wine industry into a new age.

Improved production techniques in the 17th and 18th centuries resulted in the emergence of finer qualities of wine, glass bottles with corks began to be used, and the corkscrew was invented. The French wine industry took off at this point, with particular recognition being given to the clarets of the Bordeaux region by merchants from the Low Countries, Germany, Ireland and Scandinavia. Bordeaux traded wine for coffee and other sought-after items from the New World, helping to cement the role of wine in emerging world trade.

While the 19th century is considered the golden age of wine for many regions, it was not without tragedy. Around 1863 many French vines suffered from a disease caused by the Phylloxera aphid, which sucked the juice out of the roots. When it was discovered that vines in America were resistant to Phylloxera it was decided to plant American vines in affected French regions. This created hybrid grapes that produced a greater variety of wines. Also at this time French winemakers moved to the Rioja region in northern Spain and taught the Spanish people to make wine from local grapes.


Over the last 150 years wine making has been totally revolutionised as an art and science. With access to refrigeration it has become easy for wineries to control the temperature of the fermentation process and produce high quality wines in hot climates. The introduction of harvesting machines has allowed vineyards to become larger and more efficient. Although the wine industry faces the challenge of meeting the demands of an ever-larger market without losing the individual character of its wines, technology helps to ensure a consistent supply of quality wines. Modern wine appreciation pays homage to the timeless art of wine making and demonstrates the importance of wine in the history and diversity of European culture.
 


16th Century Wine Press


Pressing Wine after the Harvest - 14th Century 


Wine Boy at a Symposium



Video on the History of Wine



I learnt that the chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, water or other nutrients - the yeast converts the sugars and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. 

I didn't realise there is very little added to wine in terms of nutrients to make it taste the way it does. 

GRAPE VARIETIES: 

Wine is usually made from one or more varieties of the European species, such as Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Merlot. When one of these varieties is used as the predominant grape (usually defined by law as minimums of 75% to 85%), the result is a "varietal" as opposed to a "blended" wine. Blended wines are not considered inferior to varietal wines, rather they are a different style of winemaking; some of the world's most highly regarded wines, from regions like Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley, are blended from different grape varieties.
Wine can also be made from other species of grape or from hybrids, created by the genetic crossing of two species. North American grapes usually grown to eat fresh or for grape juice, jam, or jelly, and only occasionally made into wine.
Hybridisation is different from grafting. Most of the world's vineyards are planted with European vines that have been grafted onto North American species' rootstock, a common practice due to their resistance to phylloxera, a root louse that eventually kills the vine. In the late 19th century, most of Europe's vineyards (excluding some of the driest in the south) were devastated by the infestation, leading to widespread vine deaths and eventual replanting. Grafting is done in every wine-producing region in the world except in Argentina the Canary Islands and Chile—the only places not yet exposed to the insect.
In the context of wine production, terrior is a concept that encompasses the varieties of grapes used, elevation and shape of the vineyard, type and chemistry of soil, climate and seasonal conditions, and the local yeast cultures. The range of possible combinations of these factors can result in great differences among wines, influencing the fermentation, finishing, and ageing processes as well. 
Many wineries use growing and production methods that preserve or accentuate the aroma and taste influences of their unique terroir. However, flavour differences are less desirable for producers of mass-market table wine or other cheaper wines, where consistency takes precedence. Such producers try to minimise differences in sources of grapes through production techniques such as micro-oxygenation tannin filtration, cross-flow filtration, thin-film evaporation, and spinning cones. 









Grape NameDescription
AglianicoRed GrapeSouthern Italy's most prominent red grape, it produces the famous Taurasi wine. Full of fruity,smoky complexities - tannic when young, harmonious, dense and oaky.
AlbariñoWhite GrapeSpanish white varietal producing a crisp, fruity wine similar to Riesling.
AlicanteRed GrapeA French grape with dark skins (versus transparent for most red grapes) and producing red juice (versus light or clear). Produces a red or rose' colored wine without maceration (soaking the crushed grape.
AligoteWhite GrapeUsed in the Burgundy region of France. The Aligote is  generally considered unimpressive, but it is still used to make a few wines. 
AuxerroisRed GrapeThe local French name for the Malbec (or Côt) red wine grape variety grown in the Cahors region of France. A white grape in Alsace.
BagaRed GrapePredominant in the Bairrada region of Portugal, where this grape accounts for 80 percent of all grapes grown, it is quite dependable and shows promise, has yet to establish truly fine varietal characteristics.
BarberaRed GrapeA prolific Italian variety grown in Piedmont, making light, fresh, fruity wines that are gradually growing in quality and popularity.
BordeauxRed GrapeNot a grape, but a French Bordeaux region blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (<10%).
Cabernet FrancRed GrapeCabernet Franc is the third component (albeit a very small role) in Bordeaux (and Meritage) wines. It is rare to see a varietal of just Cabernet Franc, but it tends to produce a slightly earthy style of wine that is very aromatic.
Cabernet SauvignonRed GrapeThe primary grape used in Bordeaux and Meritage red wines. It provides elegance and structure. Flavors are of blackcurrants and cedar, but in other areas may include green peppers and mint.
CarmenèreRed GrapeSee also Grand Vidure. Primary grape of Chile producing bold red wines, it is sometimes mistaken for Merlot.
CatawbaRed GrapeA native American grape popularized by Thomas Jefferson and really formed the foundation of the United States wine industry until California wines came of age.
ChardonnayWhite GrapeThis classic variety is responsible for producing the greatest white Burgundies and is one of the three major grape types used in the production of Champagne. Also known as Muscadet, Pinot blanc and Pinot chardonnay.
ChasselasWhite GrapeAn old French white wine/table grape. Widely grown in France, but mostly for eating grapes nowadays.
Chenin BlancWhite GrapeA variety used in the Chenin Blanc region of France. Good acidity level, thin skin and a high natural sugar content, making it very suitable for either sparkling or sweet wines, although some dry wines, are made from it.
CinsaultRed GrapeA prolific grape found mainly in southern Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards, where it makes robust, well-coloured wines. Best results are obtained when it is blended, as at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, for example.
ColombardWhite GrapeA grape that produces thin and acidic wine ideal for the distillation of Armagnac and Cognac, but has adapted well to the hotter winelands of California and South Africa, where its high acidity is a positive attribute.
ConcordRed GrapeThe widest-cultivated variety in North America outside of California (as in Welch's grape juice). By itself, it has an extremely pronounced "foxy" flavor.
CorteseWhite GrapeThe primary grape for Gavi wine, this grape ripens early and makes a neutral white wine. It is grown primarily in Piedmont, Italy.
CorvinaRed GrapeA prolific Italian variety where is it blended into the windes of Bardolino and Valpolicella. The grape's thick skins contribute color and tannin. Has leathery, chocolaty, nutty-spicy, and herbal flavors and some cherry aromas.
DolcettoRed GrapeWell-known grape widely grown in Piedmont region of Italy. Has synonym name Nera Dolce, meaning "Sweet Black" in english. Has aroma flavors described as reminiscent of almond and liqorice.
DornfelderRed GrapeGerman hybrid developed in 1956 which produces a dark-colored, soft, chocolatey red wine.
EhrenfelserWhite GrapeCreated by crossing the Johannisberg Riesling grape and a Sylvaner grape clone, Ehrenfelser is extremely frost resistant. The wine it creates tastes a great deal like Riesling wine. Ehrenfelser is grown primarily in Canada.
FianoWhite GrapeNative to southern Italy, this grape produces a white wine with pear and spice flavors. Also tropical flavors, citrus and a nutty edge.
GamayRed GrapeThis is the only grape in red Beaujolais wine, in France. At an early age, flavors have been described as bananas and bubble gum, and evolve into spice, mint, hazelnuts and walnuts.
GewürztraminerWhite GrapeMeans "spice" in German. It has a slight grapefruit, ground pepper, floral, and nutty taste. In Alsace it is drier than the German versions and usually medium-bodied. Also grown in Italy, California, Canada, and Australia.
Grand VidureRed GrapeAlso known as the Carmenere grape, this low-yielding grape was best known for its use in Medoc wines. Cuttings were taken to Chile in the mid-nineteenth century.
Grenache (noir)Red GrapeCommon in the Rhone and Spain (as Garnacha), it is a deeply colored, fruity red, but a bit on the rustic side. Usually blended and primarily found in the wines of the Southern Rhone.
Grenache BlancWhite GrapeThe white Grenache variant that is widely planted in France and Spain. It is an ancient Spanish variety that has the potential to produce a good-quality, full-bodied wine.
Johannisberg RieslingWhite GrapeA synonym often used to distinguish a wine made from the true Riesling grape. It is said to be at its best in the Rheingau vineyards of Johannisberg thus the name.
LambruscoRed GrapeAn Italian variety, famous for its production of the medium-sweet, red, frothy wine of the same name in the Emilia-Romagna area.
LembergerRed GrapeAliases for Blaufrankish and Limberger. Lemberger is a popular Austrian wine that is also planted heavily in Washington state.
Leon MillotRed GrapeEarly ripening French-American hybrid. Millot is more vigorous than Foch, is earlier ripening and bears a heavier crop. Produces a Burgundy-like still wine that can be very dark.
MalbecRed GrapeA grape traditionally used in Boreaux blends to provide color and tannin. Also grown in the Loire, Cahors and Mediterranean regions, and is THE red grape in Mendoza. Black cherry, tobacco and chocolate flavors.
MalvasiaWhite GrapeMost widely used as Malvasia Bianca.  It can produce wines in a wide variety of styles ranging from very dry to very sweet.  In any form, the wines have aromas of pears and spice with fresh fruity flavors.
Marechal FochRed GrapeEarly ripening French-American hybrid. Produces large amounts of Gamay like clusters. Produces Burgundy style wine without the finesse or elegance.
MarsanneWhite GrapeA grape that makes fat, rich, full wines and one of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
MauzacWhite GrapeA late-ripening grape with good natural acidity, grown in southwest France. Flexible in the styles of wine it produces, it is particularly suitable for sparkling wine.
MeritageRed GrapeNot a grape, but a California-style blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (<10%). It has qualities and similarities that often rival its French Bordeaux red wine cousin.
MerlotRed GrapeThis is an early ripening grape, with gentle flavors of plum, cherry, and sometimes toffee. In some areas of France, it can take over as the main grape in the Bordeaux blend.
Merlot BlancWhite GrapeA variety cultivated on a surprisingly large scale on the right-bank of the Gironde, yet said to be unrelated to the more famous black Merlot variety.
MissionRed GrapeOne of the earliest grapes planted by Spanish settlers in South and Central America and California.
MonastrellRed GrapeSpanish version of Mourvédre grape.
MourvédreRed GrapeAn excellent-quality grape variety that has been used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends in recent years. It is grown under the name of Monastrell in Spain and Mataro in Australia and a popular grape in Chile.
MuscadelleWhite GrapePart of the confusing-Musc-series, Muscadelle is one of the white grapes grown in Bordeaux. Not related to the Muscat grape, but does have a grapey-tasting flavor. This grape is most well known for its use in the Tokay.
MuscadineWhite GrapeGrown almost exclusively in the southeastern U.S. and in Mexico, the Muscadine is a large grape with a thick skin. It is very hearty, very aromatic, and grows in regions that may be inhospitable to other grapes.
MuscatWhite GrapeA family name for numerous related varieties, sub-varieties and localized clones of the same variety, all of which have a distinctive musky aroma and a pronounced grapey flavour. The wines produced range from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and fortified.
MuscatRed GrapeThis is a very grapey-tasting grape that doesn't ripen easily. There are various varieties of Muscat, such as Muscat blanc, Moscato (Italy), which is used for the sparkling Asti Spumanti wines, and Muscadel.
Müller ThurgauWhite GrapeThe grape most widely planted in Germany, Müller-Thurgau comes as a mix of Riesling and Sylvaner. This is also grown in Austria, New Zealand and the northwest section of the U.S. It has a floral aroma.
NebbioloRed GrapeThis is a late ripening grape that's known for being tannic, pruny, tarry and chocolaty. It is notoriously difficult to grow, but adds complexity and ageability to wines. Also known as Spanna.
OptimaWhite GrapeA German variety blended with other wines to add sweetness. It is not used in wines by itself.
PaisRed GrapeSee Mission grape.
PalominoWhite GrapeNative of Spain and used in the production of fine sherries.  It is a variety that is used especially for the dry light Fino sherries.
Petit VerdotRed GrapeA grape used in Bordeaux because it is a late-ripener, bringing acidity to the overall balance of a wine. Not seen as a unique wine varietal, but can produce a characterful, long-lived and tannic wine when ripe.
Petite SirahRed GrapeOften confused as a relative of the Syrah grape, but really a different varietal. It produces intensely flavored wines with a lot of tannin.
Pinot BlancWhite GrapeA variety at its best in Alsace where it is most successful, producing fruity, well-balanced wines with good grip and alcohol content. Also known under the more common name of chenin blanc in central France.
Pinot GrisWhite GrapeThis is a clone of Pinot Noir, grown in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and along the west coast of the US. It's also known as Rulander or Grauer Burgunder. It can be used to create both fine whites and roses'.
Pinot MeunierRed GrapeAn important variety in Champagne, where, vinified white, it gives more up-front appeal of fruit than the Pinot noir when young. It is essential for early-drinking Champagnes. Now showing up as a single varietal wine.
Pinot NoirRed GrapeUsed to produce Burgundy wine and makes wines which are moderately fruity with noticeable red-berry (stawberry, cherry, raspberry) floral, and spicy aromas. Usually medium-bodied, dry, and light to moderately tannic. Without skins, they are used in Champagne.
PinotageRed GrapeDeveloped in the early 1900's and used primarily by South Africa, Pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and cinsaut. The grape makes a wine that is hearty, with a fruity and spice taste.
PortugieserRed GrapeThe widest-planted black grape variety in Germany, originating from the Danube district of Austria. As it makes very ordinary and extremely light red wine, it is often used in bad years to blend with the too acidic white wines.
PrimitivoRed GrapeAn Italian variety, grown in Apulia, where it produces rich wines, sometimes sweet or fortified. Some think it is the same variety as Zinfandel.
RieslingWhite GrapeMost fine German wines from the Moselle and Rhine areas are made from Riesling, which may have floral, fruity (citrus, peach, apricot, pineapple) and honey aromas. Light to medium-bodied.
RondinellaRed GrapeAn Italian variety, secondary to the Corvina grape in terms of area planted, used for the production of Bardolino and Valpolicella.
RoussanneWhite GrapeOne of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in France's Rhone Valley. This grape makes the finer, more delicate wines, while those made from the Marsanne are fatter and richer.
SangioveseRed GrapeThe principal variety used in Chianti, it is grown in Italy's Tuscany region. In a pure varietal form it has floral, herbal and cherry aromas, and now popular in California.
Sauvignon BlancWhite GrapeThis grape is grown primarily in California and France. It has a grassy flavor and makes a crisp, light wine. The same grape is used in Fumé Blanc wine, which is its "drier" version.
ScheurebeWhite GrapeThis is a mix between Sylvaner and Johannisberg Riesling. It is mostly planted in Germany and is used for aromatic white wines.
SemillonWhite GrapeThis thin-skinned, grape ripens early and is used mostly in Bordeaux, France. It has a grassy, "figgy" flavor. It is also grown and showing promise in Australia and California, and is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.
Seyval BlancWhite GrapeThis Seibel 5656 x Seibel 4986 hybrid is the most successful of the many Seyve-Villard crosses. It is grown in France, New York state and England, where it produces attractive wines.
ShirazRed GrapeAustralian grape varietal. See Syrah
SiegerrebeWhite GrapeA German Madeleine Angevine x Gewurztraminer cross. Can make a very good dry/off-dry dinner wine, but best as a late harvest dessert wine.
SteenWhite GrapeA synonym for the Chenin blanc used in South Africa. Not to be mistaken by "Stein" which is also used in South Africa, but rather a semi-sweet style of white wine. Many "Stein" blends contain a large percentage of of Steen.
SylvanerWhite GrapeOriginally from Austria, this variety is widely planted throughout Central Europe. It is prolific, early maturing and yields the dry wines of Franken and Alsace. It is also widely believed to be the Zierfandler of Austria.
SyrahRed GrapeThe name is derived from Shiraz, the capital of Fars, a province of Iran. In Hermitage, in the northern Rhone, the grape makes big, rich tannic wines with a good deal of fruit. Known as Shiraz in Australia.
TempranilloRed GrapeThe most important variety in Rioja, where it is traditional to blend the grapes. Also grown in Argentina. Many pure Tempranillo wines though, are of excellent quality, producing long-lived wines of some finesse and complexity.
Tinta CaoRed GrapeOne of the best Port grapes.
TorrontésWhite GrapeArgentina's famous white grape, it produces spicy, dry, refreshing whites. It started life in Galicia, northwest Spain, where it is still found in the white wines of Ribeiro.
Touriga NacionalRed GrapeThe finest Port grape in the entire Couro. The wine is fantastically rich and tannic, with masses of fruit, and is capable of great longevity and complexity.
TrollingerRed GrapeA variety mainly restricted to the Wurttemberg region of Germany. It produces fresh and fruity red wine.
VerdicchioWhite GrapeMaritime aromas, crisp fruit and almond flavored finish characterize this Italian grape. It produces a full-bouquet, fruit-packed wine that sometimes requires a bit of oak to add heft.
VermentinoWhite GrapeSweet without being fat, this Spanish varietal is widely planted in Italy and produces a fresh and fruity summer wine. Has notes of apple, pear and herbs but can be borderline meaty.
VernacciaWhite GrapeOne of Italy's native grapes, it has been around for centuries and is somewhat simple and lightly aromatic. It provides light citrus and apples flavors and is often blended with chardonnay to give it structure.
ViognierWhite GrapeThis varietal originated in Condrieu, on the northern Rhone. It is predominately found in the Rhone Valley and now California. Noted for spice, floral, citrus, aprict, apple, and peach flavors.
VranacRed GrapeA grape indigenous to Yugoslavia, where it makes dark-colored, full-bodied, characterful wines.
Zinfandel


Red GrapeRegarded in California as a native grape, but may have its heritage as the Primativo grape of Italy. Used for the origional "blush" wines but usually make jammy, spicy wines.

WINE TERMINOLOGY

- I found this website with hundreds of words related to wine, most of which I have never heard before. This was really interesting. 



I found a load of different websites dedicated to a certain country or area and the wine produced there:


American Wineries


Wines of Argentina


Wines of Australia


Austrian Wines


Wines of Canada


French Wine


Wines of New Zealand


Portugal Wines


Most of these websites contain an extensive amount of information about the wines that are produced in their area and have events, facts and figures and history of their wine on their websites. 


It shows how vast the production of wine is, and how high in demand the globe is for wine. It is an alcohol beverage drunk all over the world, making multi-billions. 




Quantity and Profit / Facts and Figures:


There are now over 400 vineyards in the UK producing around 2.5m bottles of wine each year.



How much wine is in a bottle? 
Generally a bottle of wine measures the liquid in milliliters, with 750 ml being the standard amount in most bottles (or about 25 fluid ounces).

How many grapes does it take to make your average bottle of wine? 
It takes about 2 ½ pounds of grapes to make a bottle of wine.

How many bottles of wine does it take to make create a case of wine? 
12

How many gallons of wine are produced from one acre of grapevines? 
About 800

Where does the vanilla flavor in wine come from? 
If newer oak barrels were used in the winemaking process, the wines will often have a hint of vanilla in both the aroma and flavor.

When was the corkscrew designed? 
Mid-1800’s.

How many varieties of wine grapes exist in the world today? 
Over 10,000

How many gallons of wine does California produce annually? 
Over 17 million gallons

How many calories are in a four ounce glass of red wine 
Approximately 85

How many gallons of wine are in a single barrel? 
60


How many grapevines generally make up an acre? 
400

Years before most wine vines produce wine-worthy grapes: 3.
Years before wine vine hits its stride: 5.
Years of top production for wine vine: 30-35, but quality intensifies for a century or more as productivity decreases.
Number of grape clusters on a vine: 40.
Number of grapes in a cluster: 75-100.
Number of grapes needed to make one 750 mL bottle of wine: 500-800.
Number of grape clusters in a 750 mL bottle: 5-8.
Number of bottles made from one vine: 5-8.
Calories in 5-ounce glass of dry wine: 100-125.
Calories in 750 mL bottle of dry wine: 500-625.
Calories in 5-ounce glass of sweet desert wine: 150-180.
Calories in 12-ounce bottle of regular beer: 150.
Calories in 2.5 ounces of coffee liqueur (Kahlua): 260.
Cases (12 bottles) of wine produced annually in Napa County: more than 9 million.
Cases of wine produced annually in Texas: 1.2 million.
Acres of wine grapes in Napa County: around 43,000.
Acres of wine grapes in Texas: around 2,700.
Percentage of acres in Napa County planted in wine grapes: 9 percent.
Percent of California wine made in Napa: 4 percent.
Biggest crop in Napa before wine grapes: prunes.

This website shows the facts and figures of Bordeaux Wine (One of the best quality wines)

RANDOM FACTS:

Oenophobia is an intense fear or hatred of wine.

Global warming may redefine wine growing in the future. Even tiny temperature changes can dramatically change the quality of wine.

Bubbles in wine have been observed since ancient Greece and were attributed to the phases of the moon or to evil spirits.

Traditionally, wine was never stored standing up. Keeping the wine on its side kept the wine in contact with the cork, thereby preventing the cork from drying, shrinking, and letting in air. However, wine can be stored vertically if the bottle has an artificial cork.

Not all wines improve with time. In fact, a vast majority of wines produced are ready to drink and do not have much potential for ageing. Only a rare few will last longer than a decade.

There is a right and wrong way to hold a wine glass. Wine glasses should always be held by the stem and not the bowl because the heat of the hand will raise the temperature of the wine.

It is traditional to first serve lighter wines and then move to heavier wines throughout a meal. Additionally, white wine should be served before red, younger wine before older, and dry wine before sweet.

Richer, heavier foods usually go well with richer, heavier wines; lighter foods demand light wines. Additionally, red wine typically is served with red meat, white wine with white meat and fish, and sweet wine with desserts.

A “cork-tease” is someone who constantly talks about the wine he or she will open but never does.

An Italian study argues that women who drink two glasses of wine a day have better sex than those who don’t drink at all.

With age, red wines tend to lose color and will eventually end up a sort of brick red. On the other hand, white wines gain color, becoming golden and eventually brown-yellow.


Examples of 'Corked' WIne Corks:



How to hold a wine glass: 


STORAGE:

Storage is an important consideration for wine that is being kept for long term ageing. While most wine is consumed within 24 hours of purchase, fine wines are often set aside for long-term storage. Wine is one of the few commodities that can improve with age but it can also rapidly deteriorate if kept in inadequate conditions. The three factors that have the most direct impact on a wine's condition are light, humidity and temperature. Historically the storage of wine was handled by wine merchants but since the mid-20th century consumers have been increasingly storing their own wine in home-based wine cellars. 

Light: 
Strong, direct sunlight or incandescent light can adversely react with phenolic compounds in wine and create potential wine faults Delicate, light-bodied white wines run the greatest risk from light exposure and are often packaged in darkly tinted wine bottles that offer some protection from the light. Wines packaged in clear, light green and blue coloured bottles are the most vulnerable to light and may need extra precautions for storage.

Humidity: 
Some degree of humidity is required in order to keep wines with cork enclosures from drying out. Even when wine bottles are stored on their sides, one side of the cork is still exposed to air. If the cork begins to dry out, it can allow oxygen to enter the bottle, filling the ullage space and possibly causing the wine to spoil or oxidise. Excessive humidity can also pose the risk of damaging wine labels, which may hinder identification or hurt potential resale value. 

Temperature:
Wine is very susceptible to changes in temperature, with temperature control being an important consideration in wine storage. If the wine is exposed to too high a temperature (in excess of 77 °F (25 °C)) for long periods of time, it may become spoilt or "cooked" and develop off flavours that taste raisiny or stewed. The exact length of time that a wine is at risk of exposure to high temperatures will vary depending on the wine, with some wines (such as Madeira which is exposed to high temperatures during its winemaking) being able to sustain exposure to high temperatures more easily than other, more delicate wines (such as Riesling). If the wine is exposed to temperatures that are too cold, the wine can freeze and expand, causing the cork to be pushed out; this will allow more oxygen to be exposed to the wine. 






Wine stored in Barrels:


The effects of barrel ageing can be summarised as follows. Wines stored in newer barrels develop desirable flavors and undergo slow oxidative aging. These wines also become darker in color, and wines develop more concentrated flavors because of the loss of liquids. Consequently, barrel aging contributes more than simple vanillin flavor changes. Home winemakers often add oak chips to wine stored in glass carboys. The chips add the spicy, vanillin taste and some color changes, but glass carboys do not concentrate flavors or provide the oxidative aging. An inexpensive way for home winemakers to simulate barrel aging is to add oak chips to wine stored in older, inert barrels. Wineries replace their barrels periodically, and clean, older barrels can often be purchased for less than $50. Here, the added oak chips provide the spicy flavors and added color, and the older barrels provide the slow oxidative aging and the important flavor concentration.






WINE TASTING: 

Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards. Modern, professional wine tasters use a constantly evolving formal terminology which is used to describe the range of perceived flavors, aromas and general characteristics of a wine. More informal, recreational tasting may use similar terminology, usually involving a much less analytical process for a more general, personal appreciation.

When tasting wine, hold the wine in the mouth for a moment or two and then either swallow it or, preferably, spit it out, usually into a spittoon. A really good wine will have a long aftertaste, while an inferior wine will have a short aftertaste.




Vertical and horizontal wine tastings are wine tasting events that are arranged to highlight differences between similar wines.

In a vertical tasting, different vintages of the same wine type from the same winery are tasted. This emphasises differences between various vintages.

In a horizontal tasting, the wines are all from the same vintage but are from different wineries. Keeping wine variety or type and wine region the same helps emphasise differences in winery styles.

To ensure impartial judgment of a wine, it should be served blind — that is, without the taster(s) having seen the label or bottle shape. Blind tasting may also involve serving the wine from a black wine glass to mask the colour of the wine. A taster's judgment can be prejudiced by knowing details of a wine, such as geographic origin, price, reputation, colour, or other considerations. 


RELIGION: 

Judaism

Wine has always been an important aspect of the Jewish religion.  There are laws governing the process of wine making, from their crushing to the sealing of the bottle.  Wine, for Jews, must be kosher, which means it must not be touched by a “Gentile” and must contain only kosher ingredients.  In ancient times, wine was used by idolaters in rituals, which brought about the necessity for a kosher wine.  Kosher wine has many restrictions on its creation and use, in order for it to remain kosher.  In the Jewish culture, wine has importance because of the role it plays in almost every holiday and religious service.  The Sabbath is a weekly observance, and on the Sabbath, the Kiddush is said over the wine, a special prayer specifically for wine.  Wine is thus an integrated part into the weekly life of a Jew, and has tremendous significance in many every day aspects of Jewish life.  In this manner, wine is introduced to Jewish children at a young age, and becomes normalised as part of life.  It is for this reason, that some note that in contemporary times, the Jewish population of the United States has fewer drinking problems than many other cultural and religious groups.

Christianity:

Although Christianity takes it roots from Judaism, the main importance of wine comes from the use of wine in Jesus’ last supper, which was actually a Jewish Seder.  In this manner, wine represents a covenant with God through the blood of Jesus, represented by the wine.  This is actually where many religious debates take place among the sects of Christianity, whether or not the wine is a representation of or actually turns into Jesus’ blood during communion.  Here is not the place to discuss this argument, but rather to relate that in either case, wine is important in the Christian religion, to a similar extent as in the Jewish religion.  However, there are key differences as different Christian groups value certain limitations that others do not.  This provides conflict within the religion in terms of the use of wine because some sects believe in an ascetic approach to religion, which limits the use of pleasurable items in its practice, including wine.  It is difficult to summarise the importance of wine in Christianity; however, it is easy to note that among different groups it takes on differing levels of importance.  Some take wine as a common aspect of religious life, while other shun it as a means of self-indulgence that should not be allowed.  In either case, wine has less social acceptability within the Christian religion than it does in the Jewish religion. 

Islam

Islam takes an entirely different approach to wine, as noted in the Koran, “Satan seeks to stir up enmity and hatred among you by means of wine and gambling, and to keep you from remembrance of Allah and from your prayers.  Will you not abstain from them?” (The Koran, Sura 5:91).  In Islam, wine is seen as a bringer of joy, but that its power of destruction is even greater and one must not overindulge in it.  Later on in the Koran, Mohammad notes the joys of wine, and thus there is moderate disagreement over the correct interpretation of the Koran.  Today, the general idea is that the Koran prohibits the imbibing of alcohol.  However, there are modern day examples of cultures not following these rules, as is the case in Iran, which ranks sixth in the world for vineyard acreage.  Wine is thusly not a major staple in Islam, but is occasionally noted in certain situations. 



Wine and bread being given at Communion



Wine and Graphic Design - Packaging. 

Billions of bottles of wine are sold every year and this requires them to be labeled and packaged. This is one of the main areas I find so interesting and inspiring. There is such a vast array of packaging design for wine. 
































The evidence is never ending. This is why I chose to do wine as my final subject. It is something that I drink regularly and enjoy. It has been all around me since I can remember as my parents are big wine drinkers and it is something I would like to know more about. Now I do know a lot more than I did due to this research. I have found all of the initial research thoroughly interesting and learnt a lot that I never knew. 

Not only am I interested in all of its background and facts, the packaging and graphic design side to wine is something that I simply love and would be ecstatic to design in the future.


Presentation Feedback: 

Laura: 
- explored a wide variety of research.
- the terminology is something you could perhaps transform if we get a design brief 
- perhaps look for infographics linking to wine
- use images
- could make comparisons between packaging from different countries 

Ellen:
- relevant to your own interests
- very informative
- you are passionate about it
- make more visual 
- more focussed rather than broad

Laura:
- very interesting to find out about wine
- very well researched - lots of facts and figures

Leo:
- your favourite wine?
- differences between red and white wine?
- in depth lots of good facts 

Kirsty: 
- great facts on wine - in depth research
- maybe talk more about design for wine bottles, storage and packaging

Sam:
- interesting information and large amount of it
- use less text on presentation, make it more visual
- like the use of wine icons

Anna:
- a lot of context on the subject 
- interesting and unusual facts 
- perhaps include more emphasis on the design and packaging of wine


Useful -
- areas I could research more for example infographics in wine, comparisons of packaging between different counries
- what was interesting / what wasn't figures less interesting than some of the facts
- use less text on presentation
- to know that my interest for my subject showed 
- explore more into the graphic design aspect - so packaging etc relate it more to what I do
- what's my favourite wine? make it more personal maybe

Not useful -
- some general comments for example - lots of depth or interesting to learn about wine - what interested you? more specific comments tend to be more useful

After the presentation and crit and discussing it as a whole we were asked to think of 3 objectives to improve our summer brief. 

1. research more into the graphic design side of wine

2. do more primary research - talk to Marcus (wine merchant)

3. explore my own opinions on wine. What's my favourite? (opinions rather than facts)

Just while I was thinking about more research I could do I was looking on pinterest and found a few bits of infographics and wine posters that display varying information about wine which I thought were quite interesting. 







I decided to go to the library at college and see if they had any good books on wine. I found this:

Wine and Design by TeNeues

Chapter 1: Drinking wine
- The new international acclaim on intense interest in wine over recent years have produced a new generation of wine bars and wine restaurants. 
- modern wine bars are refined, cool, and perfectly styled. Rather than the old, traditional idea of wooden tables and dark taverns. 

Eppstadt Design: YYZ Restaurant & Wine Bar, Toronto, Canada:


Tihany Design: Le Cirque, New York, USA:


Aukett Fitzroy Robinson / Speris and Major Associates - The White Tower Bar, London, UK:





Vienna's Design Hotel Rathaus: Wine is the defining theme of the interiors. 



The Loisium was created at Langenlois. Austria's largest wine venue.



Chapter 2: Growing Wine
- Diverse geological and climactic conditions result in unique cultivated landscapes for growing wine on estates each with their own charm. 
- depending on soil types, hanging position, and method of cultivation, characteristic vineyard landscapes created all over the world.
- it is common for the wineries' storage to be on site, while their architecture contributes to shaping the scenery. 

Santiafe Calatrava - Bodegas Ysios, Laguardia, Rioja, Spain:




Studio Cecchetto - Citadella del Vino, Cantine Mezzacorona, Trentino, Italy:
- This is one of Italy's oldest wine-producing cooperatives. The cite includes administrative offices as well as an auditorium and its modern industrial appearance creates an exciting contrast to the stunning scenery. 



Craggy Range, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand:






Architecture Workshop - Peregrine, Queenstown, Central Otago, New Zealand:






Chapter 3: Producing Wine:
- wine is a natural product whose unique characteristics are intimately connected with region climahe and soil quality. 
- But wine is also a cultivated product that undergoes an elaborate and, in part, technically complex production process, in order to guarantee a persistently high quality. 
- the process involves destalking, crushing the grapes to a pulp, pressing, fermenting and the final stage of ageing the win in wooden barrels or steel tanks. 
- however some wineries consciously turn their back on tradition to stage the techno-chic. 

Fermentation Tanks - Jackson-Triggs Winery, Canada:



Fermentation Cellar - Bogedas Baigorri, Spain:


Barrel Cellar - Bodega Otazu, Navarra, Spain:




Chapter 4: Tasting Wine
- A growing desire of many wine lovers is to learn about production and provenance of their favourite vintage by tasting and selecting wine on-site at the winery. 
- Many wine growers set up unique tasting rooms where sampling wines becomes the ultimate sensory experience. 

Weingut Ploder Rosenberg - Thaler Thaler Architecture, St Peter a.O. Steinmark, Austria:


Weingut Sattlerhof, Albertoni Architecture Design - Steiermark, Austria:






Chapter 5: Presenting wine
- the role of bottle and label design cannot be overrated when promoting a wines image. 
- a wine label displays a vital list of information about its provenance, vintage, grape variety, or alcohol content. 
- Above all, the labels design is a chance to tie a winery's elevated quality and style directly to the retail product and to market these to the customer. 
- typical features include coat of arms or landscape images as introduced by the early 19th Century Lithographs. 
- however more recently new techniques have been adopted, many wineries have re-adjusted their labelling typography and imagery to the visual conventions and expectations of a modern, international clientele. 

ICON design group / Jeffrey Caldewey - Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St Helena, USA


ICON design group / Jeffrey Caldewey - Chalk Hill Estate, USA


Michael Osborne Design - Jaz Vineyards, California, USA



Wine Furniture:

Chardonnay Chandelier - Jay Blazek 


Carbernet Couch - Jay Blazek


Rhine Reading Lamp - Jay Blazek



Alessandri Design - Nieport 



Andreas Burghardt - Wiengut Fred Loimer




Stefan Wassak - Weingut Heinrich



Chapter 6: Enjoying Wine
- to take maximum pleasure from wine, a number of essential factors have to be met. 
- The choice of glass ware can enhance the taste and volume of vintage wines in particular the wrong type of wine glass can ruin the complexity of the bouquet
- wine temperature
- corkscrews / vacuum sealers

MENU - Digital Wine Termometer:


Built NY, One Bottle Tote:


Metrokane - Rabbit Cork Screw


Screwpull / le Creuset - Metal Activ Ball Cork Screw


Cilio - Elegance Decanter


Riedel Glas - Cornetto Magnum Black 


Blomus - Pavo Decanting Funnel


Rosendahl - Grand Cru Drop Ring


Troika - Wine Tie