Education
Wine 101 Episodes
Deciding Which Wine Style Suits You
The selection and consumption of wine is quite personal. Each individual’s preferences are based upon varying factors including taste, occasion, budget and even sentiment.
Let us help you make great decisions and even greater memories with a look at some popular wine categories, as well as some of our favorite recommendations.
Wine 101 with Betco Premier
Red Wine
From Pinot Noir to Port, red wines offer versatility, complexity and are by far the most popular selection amongst wine consumers.
From the light with a hint of fruit and spice to the big and bold with notes of earth and leather, we have the reds for you!
Pinot Noir
A dry red wine with a light to medium body, Pinot Noirs range in aromas and flavours from fresh ripe red berries to complex, woodsy and earthy. High in acidity, with a smooth crisp finish, the tannins are generally low to medium in structure.
Primary Pinot Noir Regions
Burgundy (France), California, Oregon, Australia & New Zealand
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Grilled Salmon
- Raw Sushi Rolls (Salmon & Tuna)
- Grilled Shrimp dishes
- Lamb Chops
Merlot
A dry, typically medium bodied red wine, Merlots generally present aromas and flavours of ripe fleshy red fruits, reminiscent of juicy red plums.
Medium in acidity, with a beautiful soft and silky texture and low to medium tannins, this wine is not heavily oaky in flavor.
Primary Merlot Regions
Pomerol and St. Emillion in Bordeaux, France, and California (Napa most popularly)
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Duck dishes
- Meat Lovers and Vegetarian pizzas, especially those with mushrooms
- Grilled mushrooms, especially Portobello
- Burgers done on the grill
- BBQ Ribs (on the grill)
- Pork Belly dishes
- Beef Bolognese
Cabernet Sauvignon
A dry, intense red, full bodied with ripe dark fruit, dark berries and currant aromas and flavours. Typically high in acidity, tannin and complexity, Cabs as they are sometimes referred to, are smooth, on the palate yet bold on the finish.
Primary Cabernet Sauvignon Regions
Bordeaux, the Loire Valley in France, California (Napa Valley Cabs are KING!), Australia and Chile
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Roasts and Stews (Beef and Pork)
- Steaks (all kinds)
- Strong Aged Cheeses
Red Blends
As the name suggests, red wine blends are made by winemakers’ blending several different varietals together to produce one wine. A popular trend, blends put forward and highlight the best characteristics of each varietal utilized to make that blend, thus carrying the consumer on a fun and flavourful journey.
All popular wine regions participate in and produce blends. Many winemakers opt for at least one blend presentation in their portfolios.
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Anything from the grill is GREAT!!
- Carry a bottle along and enjoy at the next family and friends BBQ
White Wine
From the crisp, fresh Pinot Grigios of Italy to the grassy, green Sauvignon Blancs of New Zealand and the buttery Chardonnays of California, white wines provide you with that casual Sunday afternoon in the shade feeling.
Let’s take a look at a few of our favourite varietals.
Pinot Grigios
A light bodied, dry white wine with hints of green apples and at times also slightly nutty, Pinot Grigios are crisp, high in acidity and the perfect selection if you wish to sit and unwind with friends on a cool, breezy weekend afternoon.
Primary Pinot Grigio Regions
Northern Italy, Alto Aldige, Friuli Italy and California
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Keep it light!
- Refreshing spring and summer salads with tart vinagrettes
- Very light seafood dishes, poached or lightly sautéed
Sauvignon Blanc
Sometimes referred to as Fume Blanc, this dry white wine displays aromas of tart green fruit, citrus notes like tropical grapefruits, freshly cut, wet green grass and even mineral, flint and river stones. High in acidity, Sauvignon Blancs are crisp and light bodied, a great accompaniment to a hot summer’s day.
Primary Sauvignon Blanc Regions
Loire Valley, Bordeaux France (Fume Blanc), Marlborough New Zealand, Australia and California
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Green Goddess salads
- Light, flaky grilled white fish
- Goats cheese dishes
Chardonnay
Beautiful, buttery and sometimes oaky, toasty and bread like, Chards (as they are sometimes referred to), present themselves anywhere from medium to full bodied. Full of ripe fruit aromas (apples and melons particularly), this varietal is a popular crowd pleaser.
Primary Chardonnay Regions
Chablis and Côte de Beaune in Burgundy France, California, Australia and New Zealand
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Seafood: Especially butter poached lobster, shrimp and scallops
- ‘Meaty’ textured fish like salmon, swordfish, halibut and sea bass
- Roasted chicken and turkey dishes
- Grilled root and vine vegetables from potatoes to pumpkin and squash dishes
- Chards are a must have at any holiday dinner (Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Moscato
Super sweet and sumptuous, Moscato is your “one size fits all” option with sweet aromas and notes of ripe stone fruit, pears and plump grapes. High in acidity, yet luscious and smooth with a delicate finish, Moscato is a must at your gatherings.
Primary Moscato Regions
Nothern Italy and California
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Fun cheese boards
- Fruit skewers
- Light pastries and tartlets
- Pizza
- Jerk Chicken and Pork
Moscato is the gymnast of wines; fun, flexible and versatile.
Sparkling Wines
Feeling bubbly? Sparkling wines such as Champagne, Prosecco and Cava add some fun, some thrill and an air of elegance to all of life’s special moments.
Primary Sparkling Wine Regions
Champagne – Champagne region of France, Prosecco – Italy, Cava – Spain and Sparkling Wine – California
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
Sparkling wine is the best accompaniment to toast and celebrate the most memorable occasions. Sparkling wines are also fantastic when hanging out with friends at brunch or as a pick me up at home. Pair with:
- Oysters
- Sushi
- Cheese fondue
- Crab cakes
Port Wines
From the Douro in Portugal comes Port, otherwise called Porto. These sweet wines, fortified with Brandy are mostly red, always sweet and always highest in alcohol volume, usually around 20%.
Served by the French as an aperitif before dinner but popularly as a dessert item after dinner, Port is a must in your collection.
Betco Premier's Perfect Pairings
- Charcuterie boards with nuts, cheeses and olives: Ruby Ports
- Dried Fruit, Chocolate Cheesecake, Fruit Cakes, Ham and Crème Brulee: Tawny Ports
- Chocolate dipped Strawberries: Late Bottle Vintage Port
- Dark Chocolate and Custard Desserts: Vintage Ports
- Sponge Cake, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Lemon Bars/Squares: Sweet White Port
A Little Bit of Luxury
A Classically Californian Chardonnay
Beringer Private Reserve represents the pinnacle of the portfolio. Former Chief Winemakers Myron Nightingale and Ed Sbragia created the Private Reserve program in 1977 with the goal of crafting Napa’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. The Private Reserve Chardonnay was introduced with the 1978 vintage, and together these wines have earned three decades of extraordinary accolades, including two “Wine of the Year” awards.
Tasting Note
Rich, vibrant, creamy and expressive, this well-balanced, luscious Chardonnay is classically Californian with aromas of citrus blossom, lemon curd, honeysuckle and crème brûlée, supported by flavors of tropical fruits, like pineapple, mango and tangerine. A delicate touch of well-integrated oak shows notes of brioche and apple pie spice, leading to a pleasing, mouth-watering lengthy finish.
Beringer Napa Valley Private Reserve Chardonnay
- Country: United States
- Region: California
- Subregion: Napa Valley
- Varietal: Chardonnay
- Winery: Beringer
- Size: 12/750ML
