While some wine drinkers only care if a wine is red or white, other wine drinkers are interested in whether the wine is smooth and tastes yummy, how the wine is produced, where the grapes are harvested, more details about the terroir and the winemaking protocol of the winemaker.

Just like there are all types of wine drinkers, there are many variations in wine. Although there are some wines that could just be called generic.  I bring this topic up after reading an article about a Canadian study of winemaking. According to the article, “Beyond bouquet: UBC research delves into the DNA of good wine” by Yvette Brend writes, “Two UBC researchers in the Okanagan created a technique to break down vino into its essences to study exactly what makes a great vintage.”

How important are these types of studies for anyone who enjoys drinking wine. My guesstimate is that the importance of these scientific studies is more important to the large wineries that are seeking to produce the same type of wine year after year. They believe their customers expect to have the same aroma and taste of wine year after year. Personally, I find that type of wine can be on the boring side, if constantly having the same wine for dinner each night.

However for the small, boutique winemakers who are emphasizing terroir and winemaking techniques I would suspect that the above mentioned type of research is not quite as important. These specialist winemakers see the value for consumers in producing wines that are quality driven but with a uniqueness based especially on the grape harvest vintage and terroir.

On a positive note, Dan Durall, one of the researchers,  “hopes the research also helps find and get rid of the micro-organisms that can lead to spoilage.” This type of research might well help all winemakers.

I suspect that there are many people who want foods and beverages to always taste the same. I for one want to understand more about wine, but I appreciate the well made wine that reflects the terroir.

Love to hear your opinion of what you look for in wine.

Cheers!
Kathy