Table wine for you?

You’ve probably heard and despise table wine and I definitely am not surprised by that fact. ‘Cos you’re not the only one feeling so and holding that perception towards table wine.

This is especially so if you’re looking at table wines in accordance to the European Union guidelines. Traditionally, in the European Union, wines fall into 2 categories, this being the table wine or the superior quality wine. In fact, table wines are so “unglamorous” in a way that they are not even permitted to disclose its exact origin or even its vintage dates!

Oh, and does “vin de table” sound familiar to you when I relate table wines to you? Well, if you do that’s simply because this is how it is termed in France and Luxembourg. I wonder if you hold the perception like I once use to hold, and that is anything in French sounds romantic and elegant. But sad to say, vin de table doesn’t really mean anything really elegant. This is because as a norm, vin de table (or vin ordinaire) actually means the 4^th or rather the lowest ranked grade in the French wine classification.

However, things get a little more neutral when we shift towards the United States. Here, the definition that is attached to table wines is any wine that contains alcohol content of between 7 to 14 percent. While this doesn’t connote any differences in the wine quality delivered, it’s sad to say that many a times table wine still lives in the shadow of being viewed as an inferior and inexpensive wine by many out there today.

So please allow me to try and help us remove this shadow and what seems like an old misconception that deserves a chance to prove itself.

Try stepping into a restaurant and hold a simple definition of table wine as just any wine that is not fortified or sparkling. Like I always believe, bringing a whole new perspective towards every new wine you encounter is always a fresh way to accept this unknown character that you’ve only always heard of but yet never tried before. Given this chance, the table wines are able to prove themselves sometimes as they appear before you in the list of table wine list that it is so not true that all table wines are inexpensive! You’ll see that the pricing of some “Red table wines” and “White table wines” are definitely not something you’ll regard as plain inexpensive. And so is their character! If you happen to make a right pick, you’ll understand why I say that some table wines are so not inferior to others. Their inborn beauty is indeed many a times a hidden beauty that deserve much recognition!

Oh and just a small note to make about this category of wine. If you haven’t noticed, most of these wines are technically termed dry. What this simply means is that the wine doesn’t have a lot of sugar in it. Most table wines are termed so even in the regard that is held with the understanding that some are less dry than the other. Therefore, logically speaking, you really shouldn’t ask for a “dry table wine” if you’re in a restaurant or a wine shop. If you’re dying for something really sweet, then maybe dessert wines are what you are looking for. =)

Hope you are slightly encouraged to wipe away that shadow you have over table wines. If you happen to try out some really delicious table wine, do share with me. After all, all wonderful wines deserve to be recognised don’t you agree? *Prost*

P.S. The above information is gathered from:
- “Wikipedia” for various definitions
- “The Downtown Girl’s Guide to Wine” by Megan Buckley and Sheree Bykofsky for some extra knowledge

*Thanks Jeremy for suggesting this topic! A great one you bring up there! =)