You don’t have to be passionate about wines. You need not be a connoisseur with a skilled palette that could determine the exact make, region and kind of wine with a single whiff. However, even still, life is too short to never give Italian wine a try. The sheer intricacies and aroma of the Chianti Classico Riserva; the full-bodied Chianti Classico…

In the midst of the Tuscan wine allure, have you found ‘The One’? If not, here are five characteristics that could be your guide to finding the wine that is meant for you:

1.The Sweetness

Your ability to judge the sweetness of the wine begins at the tip on your tongue. Do you feel a tingling sensation? Try to focus on that one end point on your tongue to determine the wine’s sweetness. This is an indication that the wine has a slightly high level of residual sugar. It should also have a high viscosity. So if you’re swirling your wine, it should have a delayed ‘swish’ because of the body.

2.The Acidity

This should not be confused with having high concentration of alcohol. Wines with higher levels of acidity may taste tarty and zesty – a bit lighter than others. When you take a sip, you should feel a tingling sensation on the front and sides of your tongue. However, if you’d rather choose a wine that is more ‘rich’, then you need a wine that is less acidic.

3.The Level of Tannin

Tannin is that compound that adds bitterness in a wine. This is usually found in the skins of the grapes and in the bark of an aging oak tree. Tea has high levels of tannin. So, if you want a taste of tannin, try placing a tea bag on your tongue, and keeping it there for about 5 seconds. It begs the question though: if tannin is associated with that astringent taste, why do you need it in your wine?  Well, for precisely that reason.

Tannin is that element in your wine that adds texture, complexity and balance. It makes your wine last longer. If you choose a wine that is high in tannin, you should feel a bitter taste in the front and sides of the tongue. It will also leave a lingering dry sensation in your mouth.

4.Fruity Flavor

If you take one sip of a wine, and can clearly determine the main fruit flavors, the wine is considered fruity. For instance, some wines may have strong notes of strawberries, while others may have blueberry, blackberry or a combination of flavors. Different types of wine will have a varying level of fruitiness.

For instance, fruity red wines may be dominant in raspberry, blackberry and blueberry. White wines may have lemon, lime or a peachy flavor.

5.Light or Full-Bodied

The body of the wine is determined not on a single factor, but rather, the aggregate of many factors like the residual sugar and the alcohol by volume or ABV. For instance, a wine with high alcohol contents will taste fuller than one with low alcohol concentration. But overall, the body of the wine – whether it is light, medium or full bodied – is determined by taking a snapshot of many factors. If the wine’s taste lasts long in your mouth – say 30-40 seconds – it is full-bodied.

Identifying characteristics of wines comes with practice. If you haven’t found your perfect wine yet, you should start now. Explore the Montemaggio estate or the online Chianti wine collection. From the best Chianti Classico to organic wines, and much more, we offer you quite the selection to find the perfect match.