FREE Bartending Training: All About WINE

Summary

This script educates bartenders on the essentials of wine, distinguishing between old and new world wines and explaining various types such as red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines. It highlights the health benefits of red wine and clarifies the unique status of champagne. The role of a sommelier is also introduced, emphasizing the importance of wine tasting and sensory training for a deeper understanding and customer service.

Takeaways

• 🍷 Bartenders should understand the basics of wine to educate guests and enhance their experience.
• 🌏 Wine is categorized into 'Old World' from regions with long wine-making histories, such as Europe, and 'New World' from newer producers like the U.S., Australia, and Chile.
• 🍇 There are over 1300 wine varieties globally, named for their grape variety or the place where the grapes are grown.
• 🍾 Varietals are the types of grapes used to make wine, with hundreds of varieties worldwide.
• 🥂 White wines, made from white varietals, are lighter in body and include popular styles like Chardonnays, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rieslings.
• 🍇 Red wines, made from red, blue, black, and purple varietals, involve fermenting grape skins to impart color and flavor.
• 💓 Moderate red wine consumption has been linked to heart health benefits.
• 🌹 Rosé wines are pink, made from dark varietals with limited skin contact or by blending red and white wines.
• 🍾 Sparkling wines contain carbon dioxide bubbles, often referred to as 'champagne' but only true if from the Champagne region of France and following strict guidelines.
• 🍨 Dessert wines are high in sugar and often enjoyed with or as dessert, with styles like ice wines, Lambrusco, and Vermouth.
• 🥃 Fortified wines have spirits like brandy added during fermentation, creating a sweeter wine and originally designed for long voyage preservation.
• 🧑‍🍳 Sommeliers are wine professionals who may develop wine lists, order, and manage wine storage, with various certification levels available for expertise.

Q & A

Why is it important for bartenders to know about the basics of wine?

Bartenders should know about the basics of wine to educate their guests and offer them the best experience possible, enhancing their knowledge of wine types and varietals.

What is the difference between 'old world' and 'new world' wine regions?

Old world refers to regions with long histories of wine production, such as Europe and parts of the Mediterranean, while new world describes newer wine producing regions like the United States, Australia, and Chile.

How are wines typically classified?

Wines are classified by the type of grapes used, where the grapes are grown, and the process the winemaker goes through to produce the wine.

What is a varietal in the context of wine?

A varietal is the type of grape used to make a wine, which can influence the wine's characteristics and flavor profile.

What are some popular white wine varietals mentioned in the script?

Some popular white wine varietals include Chardonnays, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rieslings.

How is red wine made differently from white wine?

Red wine is made from red, blue, black, and purple varietals, and the grape skins remain intact during fermentation to impart color and flavor, unlike white wine where the skins are removed.

What health benefits are associated with drinking red wine in moderation?

Studies have shown that drinking red wine in moderation can have health benefits, particularly for heart health.

How are rosé wines made, and what makes them different from red wines?

Rosé wines are made from dark varietals but with the grape skins removed after only a few hours of contact, resulting in a pink color. They can also be made by blending white and red wines.

What is the difference between champagne and other sparkling wines?

Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that can only be called by that name if it is made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France and produced according to strict guidelines. Other sparkling wines do not have these restrictions.

What are some popular styles of dessert wines?

Popular styles of dessert wines include Ice Wines, Lambrusco, and Vermouth, which are known for their high sugar content.

What is the role of a sommelier in a restaurant setting?

A sommelier is a wine professional who may help develop a restaurant's wine list, order and manage the wine inventory, and assist customers in selecting wines, often requiring extensive knowledge and tasting experience.

What is the best way to learn about wine according to the script?

The best way to learn about wine is to taste it and fine-tune your sensory abilities, making the effort to understand and appreciate the nuances and details of different wines.