The Cyprus Wine Blog: May 2010

Nowadays, the modern consumer can purchase an extensive spectrum of beverage products, from waters and milks, juices and carbonated drinks, to energy and alcohol-based drinks. These drinks are produced and consumed in nearly every corner of the world. Making the right choice of what to drink is important and instrumental to our lifestyle and health; however, under the present competitive environment, it can be confusing. Consequently, if you could only drink one beverage for the rest of your life (not including water), which one would you choose? To those of us who drink wine daily, the question seems senseless. Yet, at some point in our lives, we must have raised the question: why drink wine?

The desirability of wine lies in its diversity and rich history. A good wine is full of character and is capable of providing a very different experience and a wholesome sensual delight. Drinking wine is a pleasure as well as a challenge. It tickles your physical senses and provokes you to unwind the subtle hints of taste and smell. There is more in that glass than meets the eye – or the palate. Wine is a unique commodity. Its production predates recorded history, as does the discovery of the healthful benefits of wine, now largely attributed to the antimicrobial activity of ethanol.

Throughout antiquity, the conversion of grapes into wine was considered a gift from the gods and the best wines were thus reserved for the elite of society. The image of wine as a beverage of the affluent persists even today. Wine was also one of the first commodities to be bartered by early civilizations engaged in international trade. Then, as now, the most successful wine producers were those who grasped the market forces of supply and demand, and whose products met the prevailing definition of quality.

Wine comes from a 100% natural resource – grapes. Every drop of liquid filling so many bottles has been drawn out of the ground by the roots of a vine. Harvesting is the first of many strange and – despite modern research – mysterious processes which make wine not only the most delicious, but the most fascinating drink in the world. Beer is probably older. Coke sells more. However, only wine has a divine sponsorship. The Greeks said that Dionysus, god of wine, gave mortals the grape to keep us happy. The Bible says that Noah, presumably sick of water, planted the first vineyard, and that Jesus turned water into wine to save the day at the wedding in Cana .

The world of wine has a rich history and influential cultural fingerprint in many countries. Take a look at both the historical and cultural impact that wine has made on countries around the world. Fermented beverages have been preferred over water throughout the ages. Some have said wine was the primary agent for the development of Western civilization. When humans became civilized, fermented beverages, which we know as wine, contributed as a social lubricant, aided in the economy, boosted trade, soothed cross-cultural interactions and became an integral part of Christian and Judaic ceremonies. We continue to live out our past civilization by drinking wine that is made from a humble plant that had its origins in the ancient Near East. Once reserved for the upper class, wine has been enjoyed since 6,000 B.C. and continues to grow in popularity worldwide.

Few other consumables have the vocabulary and the body of literature that wine has inspired. The more you read about wine, study it and involve yourself in it, the better it becomes. Wine is an inexhaustible subject and even a little learning can go a long way to enhancing your enjoyment of what is in your glass. It is an everyday, positive, stimulating, friendly beverage. The intangible cultural, soulful, artistic influence of wine is evident and undeniable throughout the old world. Just as food sustains the body, wine can revive and stimulate the mind.

Wine grapes are an exceptionally diverse fruit. Each variety has its own preferences and characteristics. Each grape variety offers a unique colour, size, skin thickness and acidity. Wines are grouped as red or white, but in fact there are many nuances of hues, tones and shades in the appearance of this multifaceted drink. These characteristics are often influenced by the area in which the grapes are grown. A wine’s taste and bouquet are largely affected by the soil and weather conditions of its vintage year. Because weather and growing conditions vary from place to place and year to year, vintage became linked to origin, especially in terms of fine wines. Basically, the vintage refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested. This notion also hints at both the weather conditions in which the grapes grew and the quality of these grapes. An experienced wine maker knows how to blend and choose from the many grape varieties to produce a high quality wine.

There are many types of grapes, many methods of production, a great variety of storage conditions and an overwhelming number of personal preferences. Each of these factors has an impact on how long a wine should be held before drinking. In general, wines gain complexity and lose fruitiness as they age. Tannic red wines also mellow and become softer as time goes by. Once a wine reaches maturity, it will usually plateau before slowly going downhill. Different grapes make wines with different ageing profiles. As an example, most Cabernet Sauvignons will age for longer periods than most Merlots.

Although all wines are made from a fruit, few can be described as fruity. Common aromas include those of different fruits, flowers, spices, and herbs. While different people will detect different things in the same wine, there are characteristic aromas generally found in specific varieties. Each grape variety has its own character, which is expressed in the fruit of the finished wine. The degree and complexity of the fruit is what determines its quality. Many famous regions rely on multiple grape varieties blended together to make their best wines. The overall “taste” of a wine is a combination of smells and flavours. The human palate is sensitive to different tastes; some dislike the pungent aromas of a fruity wine, others are sensitive to acidity, and others still cannot stand tannins.

It is widely acknowledged that wine promotes dialogue, even if it’s only about the wine. Wine easily evokes intellectual conversation, its role in history, in art, in religion. A vintage wine brings up memories of what happened in that particular year. Probably wine’s most redemptive quality is its demand to be sipped slowly with something to eat. Wine has been used for centuries as an accompaniment to food. In many countries, drinking wine is automatically part of a meal, and there is no better time than having something to eat with your family or friends to the accompaniment of a good red or white wine that matches and compliments the taste of the food.

The wealth of cultural diversity has brought with it a variety of food traditions, which have become part of the western lifestyle. Taste and flavours unknown only 15 years ago are now part of the everyday food scene. So it is important to select a wine that best compliments your meal and does not overshadow the taste of your food. It goes without saying that it is far better to choose a quality wine, rather than one which is mass produced and cheap.

If you are used to heavy, spicy food, you will probably prefer robust wines. As you sip, the wine should taste better and better due to oxidation, and the meal in turn will taste better since the natural acidity of wine begs for food. Wine is a very unpretentious beverage. What is always present with wine is a lot of stimulated conversation and smiles, and always respect and appreciation for a good vintage.

Wine is the ideal drink for any celebration, whether it be to commemorate the arrival of a New Year, a toast to the bride and groom or simply opening a bottle to celebrate success. At the signing of many important treaties in Europe , champagne has been featured at the event. Since WWII, champagne sales have climbed steadily upwards. Today, champagne is consumed by more people than at any other time in history.

Modern societies have come a long way in our understanding and appreciation of wine. Today, wines are better than ever and consumption is on the rise. People of all ages are getting comfortable with wine. However, wine is not a drink just for the purpose of get-togethers, celebrations and enjoyment. It is also healthy to drink wine! The concept of wine and health was linked based on the lower incidence of the disease in France , due to their habit of taking wine as part of their daily eating habits. It is worth looking into the details of how wine can improve health. Wine contains sugar, and many essential vitamins and minerals which help to keep your body in good condition. There are studies which have proved that red wine has the capability of reducing the risk of heart attack. It can prevent blood from clotting because it has anti-coagulation properties. The sugar content provides calories and so you feel energetic after drinking a glass of wine. One glass of red or white wine gives you a hundred calories.

Let us begin by examining some of the benefits of wine. Red wines are a rich source of biologically active compounds known as phytochemicals, which are chemicals found in plants. In particular, phytochemicals called polyphenols are found in red wine. Two polyphenols in red wine are catechins and resveratrol, both of which are antioxidants. Antioxidants are any substance that reduces oxidative damage. Resveratrol not only provides antioxidant protection but also helps to protect LDL cholesterol against oxidation, promotes optimal cardiovascular health, and supports healthy ageing and normal cell growth. Catechin, on the other hand, appears to play an important role in reducing the risk of heart disease. Another antioxidant called Saponin is also found in red wine, which is easily absorbed by the body and apparently offers protective benefits for the heart. Antioxidants may possibly reduce the risks of cancer and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Furthermore, the stomach is better able to digest red meat in the presence of red wine. Researchers have discovered that red wine helps the stomach remove potentially harmful substances inherent in red meats which are released during digestion. Those who have poor digestion can help their system by drinking wine, which has the capability of producing gastric juices that aid in food absorption. Red wine also has an element which can fight off herpes. Scientists in Spain have found evidence that drinking red wine helps prevent colds from developing. It is particularly useful in cold countries as it helps to keep the body warm.

The list of wine’s benefits is long – and getting more surprising all the time. Already well-known as heart-healthy, wine in moderation might even help you lose weight, reduce forgetfulness, boost your immunity, and help prevent bone loss. Alcohol appears to boost oestrogen levels; the hormone seems to slow the body’s destruction of old bone more than it slows the production of new bone.

Alcohol raises levels of the “good” cholesterol, HDL, which provides protection against heart disease. In addition, moderate drinkers (as opposed to non-drinkers or heavy drinkers), are more likely to be at a healthy weight, get seven to eight hours of sleep at night and exercise regularly, according to a well documented survey. Though wine has positive aspects to it, this does not mean you should increase your regular drinking dose or start to have wine immediately. Drink wine in moderation. Stick to the regular dose of wine – up to three glasses per day, but remember its positive health effects.

Health benefits aside, something much more than that makes millions of people choose wine over any other beverage. Above all these, perhaps the best reason is that among all alcoholic beverages, wine is the most natural partner for food. Elevating the quality of our meal and taking time to enjoy it is a simple way to infuse our daily lives with joy. Most wine lovers drink wine for the total experience – the way a great bottle can envelop your senses, even overload them. Who among the wine drinking populous can honestly say that at one time or another, a bottle hasn’t just made you sit back and go wow, all that from a grape?

Don’t think you have to know everything about wine to appreciate or serve it. The best wine professionals readily admit that no matter how much they learn about wine, there is always a lot more to discover. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or just enjoy an occasional glass of white or red, you’ll discover that a wine appeals to the most discriminating palate. So next time you are at dinner with a few friends, skip that beer or mixed drink and open up your senses to a bottle of health – and remember, moderation leads to appreciation.

Wine News and Information

· Throughout the centuries, the basic elements of wine glass design – the clear bowl, stem and foot – have not changed a great deal. But in recent years, scientific innovation and subtle modifications in shape, size, and construction have fine-tuned and improved the performance of stemware tremendously. Much of this advancement can be attributed to Claus Josef Riedel who, in the 1950s, discovered that the shape, volume, rim diameter, finish, and thickness of the glass determine how aromas strike the nose and where precisely the wine touches the palate. If you consider the map of the tongue’s taste receptors – sweet on the tip, tart on the sides, savoury in the middle, and bitter in the back – it makes sense that directing the flow of wine to a particular spot might enhance the tasting experience. It is well documented that the bowl’s size and curvature alter the arrangement of aromas, which are layered according to their density and specific gravity, and influence the order in which these aromatics are experienced. The shape can also highlight particular flavours, such as fruit or spice, by directing them to the appropriate taste receptors, a principle that’s also effective in minimizing a certain grape’s less desirable qualities. Bowl width also increases the wine’s rate of oxidation, allowing the tannins to integrate better and for the complexity to be drawn out. That’s why wide-bowled stemware is ideal for red wines that require plenty of air to reveal their full flavour.

However, the pressing question is: Do you need to purchase a different glass for each grape? That depends on your budget, usage, and cupboard space, but professional opinions on the topic vary greatly. Some encourage oenophiles (wine lovers) to invest in an array of top-quality stemware in order to maximize the flavours of the wines they purchase. The best advice one can offer to someone in doubt is that while it’s important to use quality glassware to help focus aromas and flavours, you really don’t need a specific glass to enjoy your wine. The use of a good glass with a deep bowl which allows for swirling, without spilling, is sufficient.

· Collectors of rare and expensive wines often become victims or suspect that they are purchasing fakes without noticing. To combat counterfeiting, wineries are combining the ancient art of winemaking with cutting-edge technology. They’re putting tiny radio-frequency ID tags inside labels, embedding microscopic material into the ink printed on the bottles, and even carbon dating wine to ensure authenticity. It’s an arms race with the counterfeiters, who are attracted to the industry because of the soaring prices of rare wines at auction. In the past five years, prices of the 100 most sought-after wines have increased almost threefold, according to fine-wine index. “It’s almost like the housing boom,” said Neil Ivey, a sales manager at Payne Security in Washington, a firm that develops anti-counterfeiting measures for the wine industry.

· A group of prominent British wine critics has joined the fight to reverse the construction of a four-lane motorway which threatens to destroy the world’s best Riesling vineyards. Veteran champions of Riesling such as Hugh Johnson, author of The World Atlas of Wine, and Jancis Robinson, who have helped to give the white wine an international standing, are calling on German politicians to halt construction at the site along the Mosel river which they say could ruin the region’s unique microclimate, which is highly sensitive to change. Vintners say the construction will damage the vines by blocking the sunlight and affecting the delicate system of water distribution. The Mosel valley is considered ideal for the late-ripening grape because its brittle slate slopes soak up the sun’s warmth by day and release it by night. In a delicately-balanced system which has served the wine-growing region well for over 2,000 years, the slate stores moisture in winter while, in summer, it drips down the slope to vines.

· India will become the first eastern Asian nation to join the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Speaking in Verona , OIV Director General Federico Castellucci confirmed that the OIV was “looking forward to welcoming India as a full member in a few months”. He acknowledged Subhash Arora, director of the Indian Wine Academy , as having played an important role in this initiative. India currently has no laws or structure concerning grape growing and wine production.

Monolithos Monthly News

Vineyard management is a very important part of the grape growing process. There are many pests and diseases that vineyards contend with during the growing season.

Wet, damp weather makes vineyards most prone to disease. Effective spray application is critical for the control of seasonal diseases such as powdery mildew. A number of leaves are often removed to increase sun and wind exposure, which reduces mildew and bunch rot while enhancing spray penetration into the canopy. The vineyard manager must be careful not to remove too many leaves as grapes can also be damaged by direct sunlight, particularly in hot countries. Sprayed areas should be monitored to assess the efficacy of chemical application.

Controlling grape yield is also a very important part of vineyard management. Wines made from extremely productive vineyards that are not controlled properly often have diluted flavours and aromas. However, economics can also dictate the quest for the optimal grape yield. Throughout the grape growing and wine production process, there is an inverse relationship between quality and quantity.

At the winery, most wines of 2009 vintage have been bottled and are available for tasting. We are particularly pleased with this year’s rose and white wines (still and sparkling) as well as the Shiraz . If at any time you are passing near the village of Pachna and wish to visit the winery or purchase any of our products, Martin Wood will be pleased to meet and assist you at his “Fig Tree Villa” in Pachna, so do not hesitate to call him at 25-816212 or 99-165995. We thank you for your continued support, and would remind you of the words of the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei:

“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”