7 Wine Facts & Myths

Reactions is calling out wine snobs today with some fact vs fiction chemistry and science. We all know at least one wine snob who goes through all sorts of rituals that they swear will bring out the best flavor, like swirling the glass and decanting the bottle before drinking. But is there any merit to these claims? We talked to expert wine researchers and sommeliers to get the truth.

0:31 - The Shape of the Glass Affects the Taste
1:40 - Swirling Your Glass and Slurping Enhances Flavors
2:31 - All Those Flavor Notes Are in Your Wine
3:02 - You Need to Let Your Wine Breathe
4:37 - Expensive Bottles Are Better Than Cheap Wines
5:20 - Serve Reds at Room Temperature and Whites Cold
6:18 - Serve Red Wines with Meat, Whites with Fish

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Producer:
Elaine Seward

Writer:
Sam Lemonick

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:
Susan Ebeler, Ph.D.
Hildegarde Heyman, Ph.D.
Many Oser, Sommelier
Robert McGorrin, Ph.D.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.
Kyle Nackers

Videography:
Sean Parsons
Autumn Moran

Music:
Roberto Daglio - Com Todo Meu Amor
Mdeman -Cadillac Candy

Specials thanks:
Whitney Beaman
Justine Vanden Heuvel
Pilar McKay
Azari Vineyards

Sources:

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Reactions is produced by the American Chemical Society.

[ACSReactions]

Now that you can enjoy your wine with 100% less myths, make sure to also enjoy it in moderation!

Have any other myths you want us to tackle? Leave them below in the comments!

[hellzoneUK]

So statistically experts have trouble telling the difference between cheap and expensive wine in blind taste tests (as long as the cheap wine isn't more or less watered down ethanol with grape kool aid as some large producers put out) and in tests where labels were swapped they went for the more expensive looking one most of the time.

Also, even a high quality wine that does everything right can have a bad year(too low or high rainfall for example) and come out worse than a cheap wine that had a really good year.

I guess my point is that branding in wine is way more bullshit than it is in most products, so don't let someone look down their nose at you if you like what you're drinking...

[wine-living]

Great video, Reactions! I've covered these topics in the past, and I'm glad to see you're encouraging people to drink what they like, at the end of the day. There is a ton of snobbery in the business and I despise it!!!

That being said - the doubters who say that wine experts can't tell the differences between wines and that wine tasting is BS, most high-end professionals have to go through rigorous training to learn how to sense the subtle nuances in wines. I had to take an exam where I tasted 12 wines blind, and had to describe them, rate them and guess their rough age and origin. You either pass, or fail. It's no trick - you actually have to know what you're doing.

As a certified Somm and wine lover I'd add, that most people don't really know what they like - until someone helps them discover what's out there. That's what I try to do! Keep it real and have fun! Cheers🍷

[nealfairbanks]

Good information on this video. It basically confirms that simple steps can add to the experience of drinking wine, but common sense is the best way to go. Drink what you like and forget about price and extensive rituals. Makes sense.

So glad I subbed to this channel. The people making this channel are some awesome humans! :)

[TravelingArtista]

I really appreciate your information and confirmation of certain wine facts! I've subscribed. (wine server and tour guide)

[MSWMW]

I have always hated wine snobbery. But I appreciate the science. At least that I can understand. However, I STILL believe most people are faking their "understanding" of good vs bad wine

[Underneaththebottle]

I love the FACT that you are doing wine 🍷😜

[richardseder]

There will always be some good cheap or middle priced wines that taste good and some expensive wines that disappoint. Some wines, especially in Europe, are table wines to accompany food. If you think it is all B.S. try a bottle of your favourite cheap wine and follow it with a Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. You will become a believer! The problem will then be that you will never want the cheap wine again.

[anamorphicalan]

I am 86th viewer!
Also as a brewer it makes sense! Can't wait to brew a pale white grape euro ale :3

[braydenhaines]

One question: How does one become professional at "tasting/smelling" fermented grape juice if anyone can taste/smell?

[--sql]

just thinking about wine gives me heartburn

[frankv]

Usually the length of your mustache affects the taste of the wine, I let the wine soak for 2 minutes on my upper lip and enjoy the full flavor

[mmmmmmolly]

Hildegarde heymann sounds like a professor from Hogwarts

[sleepisnotnecessary]

Meh, I'm good with a $4 bottle of cabernet in a coffee mug.

[gskibum]

I'm going to help the molecules hit my nose by having the wine through a neti pot.

[HistoryofTek]

I been drinking red wines for 20 am not a wine snob....I have had really bad expensive wines and really good cheap vineyards....I even am getting out of corkscrew wines unless I be going to party but at home a twist off cap wine is awesome - no playing around with corkscrew and mess ...and also another myth - wines that are more aged are better - myth! ….most wines on most shelves need to be consumed within 3-5 years and this is fact...

[gskibum]

I'm going to stick with drinking my box wine out of coffee mugs.

[neogeoriffic]

Most cheap red wines have zero complexity and taste like grape juice.

[gskibum]

I pair red wine with food.

I pour white wine down the drain.