Fruit
Wines can taste fresh & simple or complex and taste of different fruits, fortified wines often taste of dried fruit.
Acidity
All wines must have acidity for its flavour and preservative qualities- it makes wine taste refreshing and balances the fruit flavours, alcohol and sweetness. Acid, in food, from the likes of lemons, limes, apples or vinegar will reduce the noticeable acidity in a wine and will help emphasise the wines fruit flavours.
Alcohol
Alcohol helps to give wine its weight and body, it contributes to the mouthfeel and balance and helps to age the wine gracefully. 13%-14.5% is a high level for wine and will tend to taste warmer- this sort of wine will make spicy or peppery food taste more so.
Sweetness
Sweetness is wine is optional, a wine with no residual sugar is “dry” wine and with residual sugar is a “sweet” wine.
