Understanding Wine

If you're looking to improve your knowledge and appreciation of wine, then it's always a good idea to start with the basics. In this section, you can take a step back in time and look at the history of wine, and how it has evolved over the years, including the important influence New World wines have had on the wine industry.

There's also the chance to examine the components of wine and its character, and how these can change from one vineyard to the next. You'll also learn about the humble grape, and how despite looking almost the same, each variety can give its wine its unique and distinct characteristics.

If you've ever wondered just how the different styles of wine are made, then take a look at the section on winemaking process, which explains the techniques used for red, white, sparkling, fortified and dessert wines.

Finally, there's the tricky subject of wine pronunciation. Armed with the handy A-Z guide of wine pronunciations, you can quite confidently order the wines you were always too afraid to in the past.

History of Wine: The origins of wine, from Ancient Persia, through medieval times to the modern day.
The Rise of New World Wine: Find out how New World wine makers have influenced the wine industry.
What's in the Glass?: A look at the balance of elements that go into making a fine wine.
The Importance of the Grape: Find out how the components of the grape affect the flavour and character of wine.
Growing Conditions: The soil conditions and climate are both essential factors when setting up a vineyard.
Fundamentals of Wine Character: The aspects that all go towards making each wine unique: the grape varietal, soil, weather and winemaking technique.
The Winemaking Process: A step-by-step guide to the magical process of turning grapes into wine.
Glossary of Wine Pronunciation: With this A-Z guide, you'll never have to worry about how to pronounce Gewurztraminer or Manzanilla again.