Wine FAQs

What is Fermentation?

Sugar + Yeast = Alcohol + CO2. Red wine undergoes a warm fermentation to aid the extraction of colour. White wine undergoes a cool fermentation to retain the fruit characteristics of the grapes. The juice of all grapes is white, it is the fermentation with the skins that produce the colour in red wine

What is Tannin?

It is most prominent in red wines, where it creates a dry mouth feel in young reds. It mellows with age and is a major component in the structure of red wines.

Does wine improve with age?

Not all wines improve with age. Many wines are best consumed young such as inexpensive white wines and simple fruity reds. However some wines are designed to be aged allowing flavours to develop and tannin levels to subside

What do mean when we say a wine is 'corky'?

The smell of wine that has been affected by a cork taint, giving it a bad aroma and flavour

What is a Magnum?

A bottle size of 1500ml rather than a 750ml

Vintage VS Non vintage

Vintage indicates that the wine is made solely from the produce of the year indicated. Non vintage (NV) indicates that the wine is made from a blend of a number of vintages

What are Aperitifs / Bruts / Stickies?

Aperitif is a French term referring to a light alcoholic drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Brut means dry, it is a term for dry Champagne or sparkling wine. Stickies is a term used to describe desert wines

Are there Organic wines available?

Yes, BWS range an organic wine called First Harvest. This comes in a Shiraz and a Chardonnay and is free of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilisers and other synthetic chemicals.