#Oklahomawinetrails

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Does the Shape Of the Wine Glass Matter at a Wine Tasting OKC?

Attending a wine tasting OKC is an excellent way to try local wines and broaden your horizons. Many elements affect your tasting experience, from your perfume to the way you swirl your glass. As such, the shape of your wine glass is an often-forgotten but important detail that can make a difference in the taste and smell of the wine.

Why Does the Shape Of a Wine Glass Matter?

Wine glasses come in various shapes and sizes. Although some glasses are shaped purely for aesthetic purposes, many are designed to enhance your wine tasting experience on the Oklahoma wine trails.

The anatomy of a wine glass typically consists of three parts: the foot, the stem, and the bowl. Aromas are released as oxygen reaches the wine in the bowl. As they release, the aromas collect in the space between the wine and the edge of the bowl. The shape of your glass affects the density and position of the aroma vapor at the bowl’s opening, significantly adding to the flavor of your wine.

Different Shapes of Wine Glasses

Whether you are tasting wines at a travel Oklahoma winery or in the comfort of your own home, it is recommended to know which glasses are best for enjoying certain wines to make for a great tasting experience.

White Wines

Full-bodied white wines are often served in wider glasses, as they taste better when slightly oxidized. Most lighter-bodied white wines are best served in smaller bowled glasses, allowing less oxygen to reach the wine. This allows the wine to maintain its crisp, light flavors.

Red Wines

At a wine tasting OKC, red wines are often served in glasses with rounded bowls and wide openings. The oxygen exposure helps soften the intense tannins prominent in most red wines. There are different glasses for light, medium, and full-bodied reds:

Large Bordeaux glass — These glasses are designed to help smooth the tannins in full-bodied, bold red wines.

“Standard” red wine glass — These are best for medium-to-full-bodied reds with spicy notes or high alcohol content.

Burgundy glass — The large bowl is best for collecting the delicious aromas of lighter-bodied, delicate red wines.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines like Champagne are often served in tall, narrow flutes. These glasses are meant to be held by the stem to prevent body heat from warming the wine. Likewise, the narrow shape keeps oxygen from diminishing the delicious bubbles.

Discover Local Wines on the Oklahoma Wine Trails

If you are looking to discover local wines, you are sure to find a favorite when you visit a travel Oklahoma winery. At the OGIC, our members throughout Oklahoma serve delicious local wines and provide exceptional experiences for you and your loved ones. Contact us today for more information.

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What to Expect During Oklahoma Wine Tours

As you venture on the Oklahoma wine trails, touring a winery is a great way to taste local wines and gain more insight into the local wine industry. Every wine tour will be different depending on the location. However, there are a few things you can generally expect on every wine tour.

Things to Expect on Oklahoma Wine Tours

Touring the Property

Whether you travel Oklahoma vineyards or visit local wineries, most wine tours include an in-depth property tour. Most tours will show you the different stages of their winemaking process. They usually begin by showcasing the rows of grapevines before moving indoors to their processing area. Tours typically end in the wine cellar for guests to peek at the beautiful wine barrels and rows of bottles waiting to be opened.

Learning History

Throughout your tour, the guide will share the history of their establishment. Likewise, many establishments seek to educate guests about the popular grape varieties in the area, the different types of wines they produce, and more detailed information about their unique winemaking process. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask your guide for more information.

Tasting Local Wines

One of the most fun parts of Oklahoma wine tours is tasting the wines. Most wine tours have a selection of one to six wines to sample. As you taste, the guide will give you insight into what region the grapes are from, how each wine is made, and details about its flavors and aromas. Some locations also offer delicious appetizers made from local products for an extra fee.

How to Prepare for Your Wine Tour

Wine tours are an excellent way to taste local wines and increase winemaking knowledge. When preparing to travel Oklahoma vineyards, here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure the success of your trip

1. Make a reservation.

2. Dress comfortably.

3. Practice your tasting technique beforehand.

4. Take notes during the tasting.

5. Tip appropriately.

6. Be prepared to purchase a bottle.

Discover Local Wines on the Oklahoma Wine Trails

Whether you are new to wines or an experienced connoisseur, embarking on a wine tour will surely be a treat. At the OGIC, our members throughout Oklahoma offer fantastic wine tours, tastings, and other fun experiences. If you would like more information about our organization, pleasecontact ustoday.

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CAN HYBRID GRAPES BE THE FUTURE OF OKLAHOMA GRAPE WINES?

Currently, 129 acres of land are dedicated to growing grapes in Oklahoma. That number has steadily increased over the years, and with the growing popularity of locally-made wines, that amount is sure to increase. As such, vintners and winery owners often look for new methods and strategies to expand and strengthen Oklahoma’s wine and grape industry. Part of that includes cultivating the right grape varieties.

Because of our state’s unique climate, some varieties grow better here than others. As such, to create Oklahoma grape wines, many vineyards will grow:

Cabernet Sauvignon. These grapes create a full-bodied red wine that is rich in tannins. Its aroma features cherries, cassis, and tobacco.

Muscat Blanc. This variety makes a white wine that can be sweet, dry, fortified, or sparkling. Its flavor profile features honey, citrus, and peach.

Riesling. These grapes yield an acidic white wine that can be sweet or dry. The wine tastes like lighter fruits and smells like honey or ginger.

Sangiovese. Rustic versions of this red grape create smokey and herbal wine. Wines can also be made from the more fruit-forward varieties.

Seyval Blanc. This variety creates an acidic white wine that is dry with some minerality. Its profile has notes of melon and green apple.

Tempranillo. These grapes make red wines that taste like blackberries and figs. Its fairly complex aroma features dill, tobacco, and wood.

Vignoles. This variety is used for both very dry and very sweet white wines. Its fruit flavors and floral aroma make it a popular dessert wine.

In addition to these grapes, there are many varieties of hybrid grapes that thrive in Oklahoma’s unique weather conditions.

Hybrid Grapes for Made In Oklahoma Wines

Why Hybrid Varieties are Used when Growing Grapes in Oklahoma

Hybrid grapes are created by crossing two or more existing varieties to get the best qualities of both. For example, with a hybrid variety, a vineyard owner can ensure that their crop has a natural resistance to local weather conditions, yet yield a wine that has the delicious flavor profile of something like a European merlot or chardonnay.

Two hybrid grape varieties that are especially popular for made in Oklahoma wines are Traminette and Chambourcin.

Traminette

This white wine has delicious flavors of various fruits, notably apricot and peach, which are complemented by hints of honey. Whether it is dry or fairly sweet, Traminette wine almost always pairs well with rich foods.

Traminette grapes were created by crossing Gewürztraminer grapes with another existing hybrid (Joannes Seyve 23.416). The cross resulted in grapes that are cold-hardy, resistant to many diseases, and feature the flavor profile that Gewürztraminer wines are known for.

Chambourcin

Well-known for its dark purple color, this red wine is made from one of the most popular hybrid grapes. Chambourcin’s plum and black cherry flavors are beautifully balanced with aromatic hints of herbs and spices.

Unlike the Traminette variety, the exact source of the Chambourcin grape hybrid is unknown. However, it likely contains some Seibel grapes in its lineage. Chambourcin grapes are very productive, resistant to many diseases, and create a wine that is bold and strongly flavored.

Enjoy Oklahoma Grape Wines

Whether you prefer classic flavors or want to expand your palette with something new, you are sure to enjoy quality wines whenever you try something made in Oklahoma. To learn more about local wines or the winemaking process, schedule a winery visit or vineyard tour with a member of the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council.

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How Is Rosé Wine Made at an Oklahoma Winery? | OGIC

When you visit an Oklahoma winery, there will be many unique wines to try, including rosé. These wines are known for their color, with varieties ranging from pinks so pale that they are almost white to deep shades of raspberry. In addition to the palette, rosés have a delicious flavor profile featuring citrus, spice, fruit, and floral notes.

Because these selections are so unique, you may be interested in learning how these wines are made. Overall, rosés are produced in the same way that red or white Oklahoma wines are. However, there are some key differences.

How Are Oklahoma Wines Made?

After the grapes are grown and harvested, they are brought to a winery. There, they are crushed into a mixture called “must” and fermented. The mixture will also be pressed at some point (before or after fermentation, depending on the type of wine). The wine is then clarified, bottled, and aged to perfection.

When making rosé, there are a few more steps in-between.

An Oklahoma Winery Can Make Rosé Through:

Maceration

The most common rosé production method is “maceration.” For this, red wine grapes are harvested and crushed. Afterward, they are left to soak for 2 to 48 hours, allowing the grape skins to start influencing the juice. This process is called “maceration” – the longer the grapes are macerated, the darker the juice. After this, the skins are strained out of the grape juice, and the fermentation process begins. Due to extended contact with the grape skins, the resulting wines have more texture and body than some other rosés.

Direct Press

The “direct press” style of rosé production is also a very popular approach. To create this wine, red grapes are harvested and pressed to extract their juices. Unlike maceration, the skins and the grape juice are separated almost immediately. While this contact is limited, it still leads to a finished wine that has a lovely pink color. From there, the winemaking process continues in the usual way until the rosé is ready to be enjoyed.

Saignée

Another method is the “saignée” approach. If you create rosé wines this way, you must also make red wine. This method involves “bleeding off” some of the juice from a vat that is being used to make red wine. (The name “saignée” translates from French as “bleeding.”) Because the removed juice had limited contact with the grape skins, the resulting wine will be pink. Saignée wines tend to be more complex and have a fuller body when compared to some other rosé varieties.

Blending

While other methods start with red grapes, “blended” rosés start with white grapes. The winemakers begin by making a white wine; afterward, a small amount of red wine is added, leading to a pink color. If you try a sparkling rosé, it was likely made with this production style. Blending may also be used in addition to maceration, saignée, or direct press. For example, if a direct press wine does not have the desired shade, the winemaker may blend some red wine into the rosé.

Enjoy Rosé on Oklahoma Wine Tours

There are many wineries and vineyards across the state, each producing a unique variety of wines – often including rosé. If you want to try quality wines, consider visiting members of the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council. In addition to creating delicious wines, many of our member vineyards and wineries offer Oklahoma wine tours, so you can learn more about the grape growing and winemaking process.

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7 Tips For Traveling Oklahoma Wine Trails | OGIC

If you are searching for a unique way to venture across the state, consider journeying on one of many Oklahoma wine trails. Wine trails are the perfect way to visit beautiful wineries and vineyards, drink delicious local wines, and see Oklahoma’s unique landscape on display. If you are traveling on a wine trail for the first time, here are a few helpful tips to maximize your experience.

What To Consider When Journeying On Wine Trails

1. Dress Accordingly

Wine trails often involve lots of traveling and touring, so wear casual and comfortable clothes. Avoid wearing heels and dress shoes so your feet won’t get sore, and dress accordingly for the weather conditions. Likewise, many Oklahoma wine tours involve tasting local wines, so avoid wearing lighter colors to hide stains if a spill occurs.

2. Schedule Ahead

Whether you want to taste local wines or visit a vineyard to see the growing grapes in Oklahoma, planning ahead of your trip is crucial to ensure it goes smoothly. Many establishments require reservations to prepare for your visit, especially for larger groups. Make arrangements for your party beforehand, and inquire about their pricing and menu so you are prepared.

3. Plan For Other Stops

Wine tours are the perfect way to explore new places and enjoy Oklahoma’s gorgeous landscape year-round. As such, when traveling a wine trail, plan to make stops at other local spots. Try customer favorites at a local restaurant, shop for unique gifts at small boutiques, and explore fun events and landmarks near the wineries to get a feel for the local culture.

4. Practice Your Tasting Technique

The proper tasting technique can enhance your experience on the Oklahoma wine trails. The 4 S’s is a simple yet popular guide for wine tasting:

See – Hold your glass to the light to view the wine’s color and clarity.

Swirl – Gently swirl your glass for 5-10 seconds, as the added oxygen will release the wine’s flavors and aromas.

Smell – Inhale the delicious scents from the wine and note what aromas are present in its bouquet.

Spit – Take a small sip of the wine and roll it around in your mouth, coating your tongue. The heat from your mouth will unlock even more flavors. Once you have a good taste, spit out the wine to avoid the effects of alcohol.

5. Ask Questions

As you are tasting wines, feel free to ask your server any questions about the selections. The staff can provide details about its flavors, aromas, preferred food pairings, and more. Likewise, ask questions if you are touring a winery or vineyard. The staff may give you historical background or insight into their winemaking process.

6. Take Notes

Many winery attendants will provide background information about each selection, such as the type of growing grapes in Oklahoma used or where the wine is made. Carry a small notebook to write down important details about each selection. Take notes on which selections you enjoy so you can purchase again in the future.

7. Pace Yourself

Depending on the wine trail, you may visit several wineries within a day. Pace yourself when tasting wines and touring facilities so you don’t tire yourself before reaching all destinations. If you are new to wine trails, aim for 2-3 wineries per day to relax, enjoy the wines, and make memories with your loved ones.

Discover Local Wines On Oklahoma Wine Tours

At the OGIC, we have over 60 members dedicated to serving delicious local wines and providing exceptional experiences. Contact us today for more information or to find a wine trail near you.