Some basics

[GoneBeserk]

I am new to the whole wine thing. I am wondering what the differences between dry, regular, etc wines. I ask because I want my honeymoon to go well but have no clue what the differences are. Can someone please tell me in layman's terms what the differences are?

Thanks.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Gone, and welcome to the Wine Board. A dry wine is one in which all the sugar has been fermented into alcohol. When some of the sugar is left over, it is known as residual sugar or RS. Exactly when a wine becomes sweet is in the taste of the beholder. Conventional wisdom pegs it around 3% RS. Some grapes such as riesling produce fine wines along the whole spectrum from dry to sweet with interesting stops along the way.

[GoneBeserk]

Thanks Innkeeper. What are the best wines- ie what do they generally taste like? What is the difference between the tastes between red and white wines? What is the difference between a chardonay and a saviniogn (sorry about the spelling!)?

[Innkeeper]

This question requires a much longer answer. Normally we would refer you to a book or two. Fortunately there is very good and very inexpensive resource on the newstands right now. It is a special edition of Wine & Spirits Magazine called: "Guide To Understanding Wine (Wine Style; Which Wines Are Right For You)" It has a black cover and costs $4.95. It is on the stands simultaneously with their regular September issue, so don't confuse them. This is a great read for novice and expert alike, and will answer all your questions.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 09-07-2000).]