Ordinary wine: classification, preparation methods and aging time

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Era changed: from the ancient world to antiquity, from antiquity to the Middle Ages, from the Middle Ages to modern times. But one thing remained unchanged - at all times people drank wine, but as old as the world. Many newly minted connoisseurs of this marvelous drink are confused in its names and classifications. And when they hear the phrase "ordinary wine", they are generally perplexed.

A bit of theory

So, let's start from the very beginning - wine can be fruit and berry, flavored and grape. Further, only the latter type will be discussed, since Russian legislation does not allow any other additives and flavorings under the concept of "grape wine". And only sugar is allowed, as well as oak wood.

Wines are usually classified into young, vintage, collection and ordinary. Young - wines of the current vintage, which have recently completed the fermentation process. Vintage - a drink aged in oakbarrels for at least two years, made according to a certain technology from specific grape varieties that grow in certain areas. Vintage wine, which, after bottling, is not sent for sale, but continues aging in glass, is classified as collection wine. But only on condition that the chemical process occurring in the glass takes place for at least three years, for some varieties - at least five years.

The word "ordinary" remains undisclosed. Today you rarely see it in use, it is rather an echo of the Soviet past. Approximately one year after the grape harvest, the wine is bottled. However, the "year" in this version is conditional. Berry picking, depending on weather conditions, falls in July - September, and the first bottling begins in May - April (in some cases even in March). It follows from everything that the exposure period is no more than six months, although theoretically this still means "a year". It is this drink that, according to Soviet traditions, is called ordinary wine.

Eight steps to dry wine

This recipe is quite capable of being carried out by a novice winemaker without any difficulties and "troubles". The result is a dry ordinary wine, very he althy and natural. Step by step instructions:

• Step 1. We sort through the grapes. We separate intact and ripe berries from the brushes. Do not wash, so as not to kill the natural yeast that is on the surface. Too dirty, damaged, overripe, berriesdiscard with mold.
• Step 2. Press the grapes with your hands, press or chop in a blender.
• Step 3. We take oak barrels, or sterile clean and dry glass bottles (at least 10 liters in volume). Pour the pulp (crushed berries) into them no more than 3/4 of the volume. From the beginning of fermentation, we shut off oxygen by installing a water seal. The normal temperature of the first fermentation is +18-22 C in a dark place. The active "game" of the drink will end in about 3-4 weeks.
• Step 4. When the fermentation is over, separate the crushed berries from the liquid, filter the mixture.
• Step 5. Pour the filtered wine material up to the throat into another sterile bottle. There should be no more than 100 millimeters between the liquid and the lid with a water seal. This ensures a quiet fermentation. At this step, perfect sterility must be observed. We place the bottles in a dark place, the temperature in which is not less than +8, but does not exceed +15 degrees.
• Step 6. As soon as the wine brightens, it is again filtered through a cotton flannel and poured into a sterile, dry bottle. You can already taste the drink (but not drink it all). This young wine does not differ in durability, and without certain processing it will quickly become worthless.
• Step 7. Pour the liquid that survived the tasting to the top into glass containers, tightly close. We keep 60 days in a dark place with a temperature of +15 C.
• Step 8. Remove from sediment again. Bottled, corked, signed.

Sometimes it is very interesting what happens when you openbottles in a couple, three years. This is already a fairly mature wine that can be stored for a long time.

White Ordinary

What is the difference between ordinary wine and fine wine? Endurance technology. The first is not kept for aging, but is processed quickly and delivered to sales centers. The technology of making ordinary white wines is focused on preserving the varietal bouquet and mild freshness on the palate. Such a drink is varietal and intervarietal. The color varies from light straw to golden. The bouquet is clearly felt. The taste is fresh, light, clean.

Red Ordinary

The technology for making ordinary red table wines is focused on creating drinks with rich color and medium astringency. They are varietal and intervarietal. The general characteristic of table red wine of this class: the color of the drink varies from light red to burgundy with a ruby tint or pomegranate color. The flavor bouquet is clearly expressed, often there are morocco notes. The aftertaste is rich, harmonious with a moderate, pleasant astringency.

Feed

Collectible, vintage and ordinary wines are drinks that require proper serving. For maximum enjoyment of drinking, you must use the traditional methods of serving. Pouring of ordinary wine must be carried out in special glasses. Wine glasses should be made of the most transparent glass, and have a very thin stem. Similar glasseswill help you fully enjoy the aroma of wine and its color. The temperature of the drink is also not the last place, it all depends on the strength. Overly fortified ordinary wines should be served chilled to dull the sharp, intoxicating smell a little.

Gastronomic accompaniment

Gastronomy plays a significant role here. Different wines fully reveal their taste qualities in certain tandems with food. Alcoholic drinks are well suited not only for hot dishes, but also for desserts, meat, fruits, salads, fish and other marine life. Which menu to choose for wine depends entirely on which drink you choose.

Now you know what "ordinary wine" means. This drink is not much inferior to vintage in taste characteristics. In addition, there are many types and varieties of wine. And in this variety, anyone will find something to their liking.