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Wine in the starring role
Miniature encyclopedia of wine: What to select and how to serve it
Wine comes in red, white and rosé. It can be dry, semi-dry or sweet. Each is appropriate for a different occasion and how they are served varies, too. When pairing wine with food, keep in mind that wine’s strong taste can overwhelm the taste of food and vice versa. Therefore, the flavors should ideally complement and support each other. White and lighter wines especially go well with fish, white meat and pasta. On the other hand, red wines wonderfully highlight the dense and spicy taste of red meat or game.
Try pairing rosé wines with the delicate taste of seafood and light salads. For lighter desserts you can calmly indulge yourself with them, too. If you or having wine and cheese, again the rule is to pair them with similarly intense flavors. Aromatic distinctive cheeses should be matched with heavier, dense wine. The varieties most cultivated in the Czech Republic are Grüner Veltliner, Müller Thurgau, Riesling and Welschriesling. The vast majority of wines in the Czech Republic are produced in the Moravian wine region.
Wine consumption in the Czech Republic continues to rise
Per capita annual consumption of wine was 11.3 liters in 1989. By 2016, that figure has risen to 16.9 liters. Current wine consumption in the Czech Republic stands at a total of 2 million hectoliters. For a better idea of what that means, one hectoliter equals about 133 standard bottles of wine.
Did you know that...
The oldest vine in the Czech Republic is located in the middle of a national park?
The Šobes vineyard is one of the Czech Republic’s oldest vineyards. It can be found inside Podyjí National Park, not far from Znojmo. The river Dyje itself, which flows around the vineyard, creates a unique microclimate for growing wine similar to the wine-growing regions in the Rhineland and the Rhône valley.
How to serve wine correctly: temperature and the right type glass are critical
Because each wine stands out at a different temperature, it is key when the wine is served. Even red wine has to be properly chilled. The ideal temperature for young reds is 13-16 °C. Denser, spicier red wines should be served chilled at a temperature of 16-19 °C. Treat yourself to the cooler taste of white wines. Dry white wines stand out best at a temperature of 9-11 °C.
Also pay attention to the wine glasses. So-called “balloon” glasses are ideal for red wine. It holds more wine, has a more open neck and a high stem. Such a glass releases the distinctive flavors of a red wine and lets its full aroma come out. Tulip glasses are suitable for white wine. This universal shape lets you pour most white wines with no worries. If you are a true wine enthusiast, you can get special glasses directly to cover each variety. Red burgundy wine glasses are wider and more bulbous so the flavor of the wine is as pronounced as it can be.
Learn about wine labels
Something interesting to entertain family and friends, too
If you wish to become a wine expert, all you have to do is enroll in university and study the science of oenology. This is what the science of wine and viticulture is called. Take a look at some of the other intriguing things about wine you never knew.
