Diet & Fitness

By eDiets Staff

Are you afraid that you don't really fit in with your sophisticated, nose-in-the-air, brie-eating, vino-slurping, art-gallery-frequenting friends because you lack wine knowledge?

Well, stop your whining! We're about to cover some of the basics of wine knowledge. But remember, there's no need to be a poseur like those stuck-up pals of yours. Pretension and wine are not necessarily related terms. Just ask that guy huddled behind the 7-Eleven dumpster clutching his bottle of Thunderbird.

What is wine?
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grape juice. You probably knew that, but did you know that the alcohol content of wine is usually 14 percent or less? You didn't, did you?

What are the two basic types of wine? Well, you got your red, and you got your white. Yeah, you probably knew that, too. But here's some more stuff for enjoying a wine lover's diet.

What are some types of red wines?

Cabernet Sauvignon (cah-ber-nay so-ven-yon) -- A strong wine that isn't for the faint-hearted or beginners. The Cab grape hails from the Bordeaux region of France and is quite fragrant and rich with flavors that include raspberry, black cherry, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs. Cabernets are wines that either can be drunk immediately or stored to mature.

Pinot Noir (pee-noh nwahr) -- Its grape originated in the Burgundy region of France. A delicate and lighter-bodied wine, the flavor mainly suggests plum and strawberry. This is a good red for newbies to try.

Zinfandel (zin-fun-dell) -- A big grape in California. It boasts big, strong spicy berry flavors, and its color is a deep, beautiful purple-red. The popular white version is made by winecrafters; they remove the grape skins right after they're smashed (the grapes, I mean, not the winemakers).

Merlot (mer-loh) -- A red grape that, like the Cab, is known for its use in the Bordeaux area. A fruity wine that is popular in the U.S., Merlots tend to be a dark red color, with predominant flavors of cherry and black currants. They also have less tannin than Cabernets and are therefore a bit sweeter and smoother.

Tannins may contribute to the dreaded "red wine headache," which many attribute to sulfites; however, many sweet white wines and foods such as deli meat have larger amounts of sulfites than red wines. Wondering about wine and its role in heart health? Studies show that wines that are high in tannins, such as the Cabernet and Zinfandel grapes, contribute to vascular health.

What are some types of white wines?

Chardonnay (shar-duh-nay) -- The Chardonnay grape is ubiquitous: The darn thing is easily grown almost anywhere. This grape lends itself to experimentation, so many different flavors are brought to bear on it by different winemakers.

Riesling (rees-ling) -- A German grape yields this wine, popular for its balance of acids and fruity flavor. California produces a lot of this affordable wine.

Sauvignon Blanc (so-ven-yon blahnk) -- A dry, light, somewhat tart wine with a suggestion of figs and herbs. Like most white wines, it's not meant to be aged and is better drunk soon after buying.

So which wines go best with which foods?
Reds are strong and assertive and often go well with red meat dishes. You have to be careful in selecting reds, though, because if they're not properly aged, they may be dry beyond dry. Most Merlots on the market are ready to be consumed immediately, so they're a good choice if you're a wine beginner.

Whites are lighter and go better with fish, chicken and vegetable dishes.

These are just a rule of thumb to follow when pairing wine and food. If you like reds better than whites, but are serving a "white" dish, why not try a lighter red like a Pinot Noir? Light reds go well with meatier fishes, such as tuna or salmon. Likewise, a pork loin might go well with a heartier white, such as a Chardonnay. When it comes to dessert, try one of the sweet whites, like a Riesling.

All this just scratches the surface. But the important thing is not to worry about how much you do or don't know. It really all comes down to personal taste, and learning comes with experience. So sample as many different types of wine as you can (in moderation, of course), and you'll soon realize that you may not know wine, but you know what you like!

And even more good news for wine lover's (or learners!), there's a popular diet called The Mediterranean Diet that shows you how you can lose weight -- and still enjoy your wine.

If you found this interesting, we think you'd also enjoy:
-- I'm Not Giving Up My Red Wine!
-- The Wine Lover's Diet: Eat, Drink and Be Thinner
-- Health-Conscious Cocktails - Healthy Drinks!

Labels: food, lifestyle, tips

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