Dubonnet (DOOB -O-Neh)
Created by Joseph Dubonnet in the mid-19th Century as a way to make quinine, which was used to combat malaria, more palatable for French Foreign Legion soldiers serving in North Africa. The original formulation of Dubonnet contained quinine, wine and various botanicals, making it a fortified wine with a complex and slightly bitter taste. It is known for its distinctive bittersweet and aromatic flavour.
When to drink: A ladies' night in, Dubonnet is the perfect aperitif.
Who drinks it? It was said this was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite drink with gin.
Montepulciano (Mont-Y-pool-CHEE-ano):
A historic hill town located in the Tuscany region of Italy renowned for its picturesque medieval architecture, scenic countryside and cultural heritage. The town of Montepulciano is also famous for the production of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is a high-quality red wine made predominantly from Sangiovese grapes. This wine is one of Italy's classic and highly regarded wines.
When to drink: When accompanying a meaty meat or rich roasted veggies. Match it with substance.
Who drinks it? For the adventurous wanting a slightly different wine.
Sommelier (SOM-el-Y-eh): A trained and knowledgeable wine professional who specialises in all aspects of wine service including wine pairing, selection, service, education and cellar management.
Moët (Mwet):
Often pronounced as MO-EE, the T is definitely a hard T. Although associated as a French brand, it was actually founded by Dutchman Claude Moët, born in 1683.
Terroir (Terr-wa):
The culmination of the wine-growing regions environment with contributing factors being soil, wind, micro-climate, sunlight, surrounding vegetation, topography, grape varieties and even human influence.
All of these considerations result in the type of connection between the wine and the land where the grapes are grown. When wine enthusiasts talk about a wine's terroir, they are referring to the idea that the wine reflects the distinctive characteristics of its vineyard or region.
Understanding and appreciating terroir is an essential aspect of wine appreciation, as it helps to explain the diversity of wine styles and flavours found around the world.
