Once I became interested in what kind of wines there are. Previously, I divided them only into white and red. But when I plunged into this topic a little deeper, I was simply stunned by how diverse everything is there.
It is sometimes difficult to figure out this classification right off the bat, you should re-read the descriptions several times, which, in principle, I did.
I don’t consider myself a great connoisseur of wine, but now my knowledge is much broader. By the way, we managed to find out what table wine is. I heard this expression often and did not understand what it was about.
But now, as soon as such an opportunity falls, I begin to show off my knowledge to all my friends. So I decided to tell you, or rather, to warn you, my readers, against unsuccessful purchases.
What is table wine
Despite the fact that the name seems to be intriguing, there is really nothing special about it. In simple words, it is called a dining room only because it is served at the table. That is, to use it with food.
For example, if you are going to eat chicken or fish, you should take white. If the meat is red. Although no one forbids you to do your own thing. I am not a supporter of following all the rules, because everyone has their own individual preferences.
The interest of table wine is quite different. The thing is, no one really cares about its production. That is, the manufacturer is not forced to indicate which grapes were used, where they were grown, what is the technology for making wine.
If we are talking about vintage, then there is a certain recipe, but here the recipe can be invented by the manufacturer himself. In general, who is in what much.
Often the remains of grape raw materials are used for table wine. Everything that for some reason was not useful in the technology of making fine wines.
Important! Table wine can be dry, semi-dry or semi-sweet.
Examples of table wines
Interestingly, it is not customary to consider these wines worse than others. Some even like them better, as they have a mild and pleasant taste. They also allegedly use natural grapes in their preparation, and they can also be provided in different price categories.
Cahors wine.
For example, the simplest “Cahors” for 100 rubles. the bottle is considered table wine. I’ve bought this many times while visiting. In the middle price category, one can distinguish the Armenian white semi-sweet wine “Pearl of Etchmiadzin”. Its approximate cost is 300 rubles. for a bottle.
Wine Hand in Hand, Venta La Ossa.
Table wine is not aged and is mainly consumed in the same year it was made and bottled. The same can be said about home. Therefore, even the highest quality table wine options do not cost too much.
For example, for 1500 rubles. you can even buy Spanish wine Mano a Mano, Venta La Ossa.
Important! Table wine cannot contain more than 14% alcohol.
Is it worth buying
Maybe I’m paranoid, but I don’t trust table wines and try not to buy them. What scares me the most is the fact that there are no specific requirements for its preparation. That is, the state does not closely monitor the quality of the wine itself and the history of its creation.
In other words, the regulatory authorities practically allow you to legally make wine from who knows what.
Powder for making wine.
As far as I know, many manufacturers make it simply from some kind of powder. This, incidentally, is not surprising, given the prices of some of these wines. It is believed that everything that is cheaper than $ 15 is not wine, that is, it is not made from grapes.
I’m ready to believe it. After all, this is not such a simple process that requires time and costs. It is foolish to sell it for 100 rubles if it is really made from real grapes and aged for at least 2 years.
Also, I, as a buyer, do not know where the grapes grew, and in what conditions. The only thing they tell me is the country of the spill. As for me, this is ugly little information that does not inspire confidence at all.
Important! Given the fact that table wine can be made from powder, then, of course, it does not carry the same nuances of taste and aroma as real wine.
What to buy instead
In addition to table wine, there are many other options. I want to share with you my preferences. All bottles will be in an acceptable price category. I don’t have the means to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a bottle of half a century old French wine.
In the region of 2000 rubles, I think you can definitely find a decent option for any occasion.
Georgian wine Badagoni Khvanchkara.
First I want to mention the Georgian vintage wine “Badagoni Khvanchkara”. It is not strong, 11% alcohol, semi-sweet. Drinks well, not cloying. Its cost is around 1800 rubles. Expensive, but worth it.
There is a good aged white wine from France. It is called Marquis de Pennautier Terroirs d’Altitude Chardonnay Pays. Its cost is about 1600 rubles. Made in the famous region of Bordeaux.
And, perhaps, it would be fair to mention rosé wine. For example, Muga Rioja Rose from Spain. You will have to pay about 2000 rubles for it.
Spanish wine Muga Rioja Rose.
I rarely buy this. I prefer to spend less, but if you advise, then them. In general, there is nothing better than homemade wine made with your own hands. In this case, you are sure of its quality. And how do you feel about it?
That is, have you tried homemade wines, and do you prefer them over store-bought ones? Or suddenly you came across table wine of acceptable quality?
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health!