Common Wine Myths (and Why They"re Not True)
Wine is a complicated, intricate drink, and for that reason alone, there are many myths surrounding the ancient beverage.
You can't believe everything you hear, though, and that maxim holds especially true for wine.
One of the common myths surrounding wine has to do with the specific type of wine known as Chianti.
The myth states that Chiantis are, by definition, a cheap house wine that will offer quality only in proportion to its low price tag.
While Chiantis are generally thought of as those bulbous bottles obscured in straw holders, Chiantis of the modern age are no longer held to those standards.
Now they are altogether higher quality and higher priced.
Cheap bottles can still be acquired, but in general, Chianti has made a more upscale name for itself.
Another myth floating around wines is that red reigns supreme in Italy.
While it's true that Italy certainly produces far more bottles of red than white wines, that does not mean the quality of the latter is lacking.
In fact, even the regions of Piedmont and Tuscany, which are renowned for their red wine production, have a number of high quality and well-received varieties of white as well.
Lastly, what list of myths would be complete without one about the infamous category of cooking wines? For this myth, we turn to the popular wine variety of Marsala.
A very common ingredient used for cooking, perhaps best known in the Italian dish chicken Marsala, this wine is not simply handy in the kitchen.
While some lower quality grades of the wine are best kept to the broth and sauces, there are plenty that are a pleasant and delightful sipping wine alongside your meal.
Of course, as wine producers mature and change, so do the wines, and with that in mind, Marsalas only look to improve even further.
As with many wines, it's best to use price as your guide if you're feeling a bit lost in the dark.
The higher the price, it's a safe bet, the higher the quality will be.
You can also ask for suggestions from your local wine stores or from your sommelier or waiter while dining.
Keep these myths in mind the next time you're ordering a bottle with dinner, and remember that you can't always believe what you hear about wines.
Although, if nothing else, they might make interesting dinner conversation for you and your dinner companions.
You can't believe everything you hear, though, and that maxim holds especially true for wine.
One of the common myths surrounding wine has to do with the specific type of wine known as Chianti.
The myth states that Chiantis are, by definition, a cheap house wine that will offer quality only in proportion to its low price tag.
While Chiantis are generally thought of as those bulbous bottles obscured in straw holders, Chiantis of the modern age are no longer held to those standards.
Now they are altogether higher quality and higher priced.
Cheap bottles can still be acquired, but in general, Chianti has made a more upscale name for itself.
Another myth floating around wines is that red reigns supreme in Italy.
While it's true that Italy certainly produces far more bottles of red than white wines, that does not mean the quality of the latter is lacking.
In fact, even the regions of Piedmont and Tuscany, which are renowned for their red wine production, have a number of high quality and well-received varieties of white as well.
Lastly, what list of myths would be complete without one about the infamous category of cooking wines? For this myth, we turn to the popular wine variety of Marsala.
A very common ingredient used for cooking, perhaps best known in the Italian dish chicken Marsala, this wine is not simply handy in the kitchen.
While some lower quality grades of the wine are best kept to the broth and sauces, there are plenty that are a pleasant and delightful sipping wine alongside your meal.
Of course, as wine producers mature and change, so do the wines, and with that in mind, Marsalas only look to improve even further.
As with many wines, it's best to use price as your guide if you're feeling a bit lost in the dark.
The higher the price, it's a safe bet, the higher the quality will be.
You can also ask for suggestions from your local wine stores or from your sommelier or waiter while dining.
Keep these myths in mind the next time you're ordering a bottle with dinner, and remember that you can't always believe what you hear about wines.
Although, if nothing else, they might make interesting dinner conversation for you and your dinner companions.
