10 Amazing facts about wine

Wine is a big part of South African culture. With so many varieties and styles the industry offers more choice than most could imagine. With a range of quality, price and flavour, this is a world of discovery to explore at will.

• We should all thank the monks, orders like the Cistercians and Benedictines not only preserved, but innovated the art of winemaking through the Middle Ages. It is largely thanks to their research and honed efforts that we have such a depth to our winemaking technologies and techniques in this modern day. One of the world’s most famous Champagnes Dom Pérignon was named after a monk. Dom Pierre Pérignon was an early advocate for organic wine-making, experimenting with new methods while successfully improving the winemaking process. Many of his practices and techniques are still used to this day.
  
  
• Red wine varieties are known to contain many beneficial antioxidants such as polyphenol and resveratrol, both of which have cardio-protective effects and anti-cancer properties. Grape skin is especially rich in antioxidants. As red wine is fermented together with its skin, it has more antioxidants than its white wine counterpart, which is processed without its skin.
  
  
• The colour of your wine also tells you a lot about its origins. The region and climate where the grape vine is situated can all be seen in the shade and density of the colour. Darker shades of wine, the darkest reds and yellowest whites come from warm climates. Lighter colours come from cooler climates and have a lighter tastes and bouquet.
  
  
• Wine was first produced around 6,000 years ago, in the Middle East. The earliest evidence of wine was discovered in Iran, dating back to the Neolithic period. The oldest evidence of cultivated vines were found in Georgia, dating from 7000-5000 B.C. It is thought that the drink originally fermented by mistake when native yeasts accidentally came in contact with grapes stored in containers, turning the sugars in the grapes into alcohol.
  
  
• While beer is known for giving you the good old “beer boep” wine does not have the same effect on your waistline. Studies have shown that women who routinely drink about one glass a day can carry less body fat than women who did not drink at all. It is believed that the calories in alcohol are not metabolised in the same way as calories from carbohydrates, fats or protein. So if you are about to start a diet to lose weight, then you should consider having a glass of wine instead of chocolate pudding to end off the meal.
  
  
• The smell of young wine is called an “aroma” while a more mature wine offers a more subtle “bouquet.” This indicates the strength of the smell and the flavour it carries within it.
  
  
• The world’s oldest known bottle of wine dates back to A.D. 325 and was found near the town of Speyer, Germany, inside one of two Roman sarcophagi. It is currently on display at the town’s Museum der Pfalz.
  
  
• Wine is usually served in a glass that has a gently curved rim at the top, with a slight difference between white and red wine glasses. This curve helps to trap the aromas within the glass for tasting. The thinner the glass and the finer the rim, the better the aromas are kept secure. A flaring, trumpet-shaped class dissipates the aromas and is usually used for more intense alcohols or cocktails.
  
  
• Wine tastings are, for the most part, inaccurately named. It is agreed that smell is equally if not more an important sense when it comes to drinking wine, so wine smelling would be the more accurate description.

Traditionally, wine was never stored standing upright as contact with the cork was needed to ensure moisture and airtight stoppage. Keeping the wine on its side kept the wine in contact with the cork at all times, thereby preventing the cork from drying, shrinking, and letting air into the bottle. However, these days a lot of wines have artificial corks, allowing for the upright storage of bottles.

Wine is a much loved, highly popular South African pastime that has solidified its place in the culture of the land. With an endless supply of stunning, world class wines available at any time, there is no better place to be for the avid wine lover.