Here are some fun wine facts to share at your next dinner party.
· The color of the wine tells you about its geographical origin. Darker shades of wine come from warmer climates. Lighter colors come from cooler climates and taste lighter and less lush.
· Women are more affected by alcohol because they have a higher fat content than men. Fat does not absorb alcohol.
· The oldest person in the world attributed her ripe old age (122) to a diet of olive oil, port wine and 1kg of chocolate per week.
· The ancient Greeks created a wine glass to ensure alcohol was consumed in moderation. If wine was poured above a certain level, the cup spilled its entire contents out of the bottom.
· In Chinese culture, people who want to display their wealth, drink expensive red wine mixed with Coca-Cola and Sprite.
· The custom of bumping glasses with a “cheers” greeting came from old Rome where this method was used to prevent from being poisoned (bumping glasses makes the drink spill from one cup to the other).
· During the Prohibition era, grape juice concentrate manufacturers placed warning sticker on their product stating “After you mix the concentrate with water, please do not keep the mix in a barrel for 20 days – as it will turn into wine.”
· The world champion of recognizing wine by smell was crowned in 2003. Richard Juhlin, of Sweden, was able to recognize 43 wines out of 50.
· If you own a collection of bottles, don’t store them standing up. This can cause the cork to dry and shrink, allowing air in the bottle.
