Table Wine

Welcome to Vine to Wine I'm your host Linda Moran, and today we are exploring the term table wine and defining what is meant when a wine bares the title of a Table Wine. For the most part we likely think a table wine is to be a wine that first of all was made with eating in mind. In other words it is made to be drunk while at the table. However that isn't really the case. You see, due to labeling laws in the United States, when a wine is a blend of several grapes, with none representing at least 75% of the blend, then the wine can not be labeled by any specific varietal name. For example it cannot be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon, even if better than half of the juice is from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. So it is considered a red table wine. Most of the great Bordeaux that comes to the United States will have the small print on the label that reads red table wine. It is because it is a blend of several different kinds of grapes. Table wines are usually, though not always, a wine that is fairly dry. It is a still wine, meaning no effervescence or sparkle. It can be divided into the categories of White, Red and Rose table wines. They come from many different regions made in even more styles. But please understand this title is certainly may not be an indication of a lesser quality wine. In fact in the case of a Meritage wine it is a badge of honor. So make a great meal and grab yourself a table wine to enjoy with it. And thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine!