Corked

Is it possible to be a UM student at Lagniappe House and not post a picture? There’s a reason this New Orleans-inspired wine joint is a fan favorite among students, and it’s not just for the aesthetic. With customizable charcuterie and a laidback vintage feel, it’s hard to not feel at home at the “house.” But when it comes to knowing their way around wine, some students may be a little more unsure. Fear not—consider this your guide to wine.

words_scarlet diaz. photo_sydney burnett. design_isa marquez.

Slapping the bag may be fun, but if that $10 Franzia is getting old, it may be time to try something new. From reds to whites and sweet to sparkling, there’s a wide world of wine out there. When choosing wine, Lagniappe General Manager Matthew Llarena recommended “embracing a sense of adventure and opening your mind to new experiences, which will ultimately result in a better understanding of your own preferences.”

Wines get their color from tannins, a substance in grapes, which is more prevalent in reds than in whites or rosés. Tannin gives red wine its texture and backbone, whereas white wines rely on acidity. This is why reds

The flavor in wine depends on where the grape originated. “When in doubt, drink a classical French, Spanish or Italian wine,” said Llarena, “Some of my favorites are new-world wines, but it is always good to have a background in the classics of the old-world European styles.”

For newbies, Alejandro D’Apremont, a Miami-based wine importer and distributor, recommends starting with a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. “Pinot Noir is a very complex grape, hard to harvest, [with] a medium body,” he said. “Chardonnay is the best way to start for me.”

Wine, he said, can be a conversation starter, and savoring the taste with good friends can be an amazing experience. “Don’t drink [wine] to get drunk,” he said. “Drink to enjoy. If you have a drink and enjoy a good meal with your friend, it’s beautiful.”

These soul-warming wines are often aged in oak barrels, a process which smoothens the texture and adds flavors that pair nicely with heartier meals.

This wine is usually a main component of red blends like Bordeaux. It’s dark in color and sometimes dense, tasting of black cherries and baking spices. It pairs well with cheeses like Pecorino and aged cheddar.

This blend of red floral and fruit notes sometimes has hints of mushroom, beets or rhubarb. It’s very dry with a higher acidity than most reds, and therefore pairs well with cream sauces, nutty cheeses like Gruyere, chicken, pork, duck and veal.

Intense and full-bodied with dark fruity flavors, Syrah pairs well with lamb, beef, smoked meats and cheeses like white cheddar or Spanish Manchebo.

This Argentinian wine is spicy and tart, has flavors of coffee and chocolate and gives notes of black fruits and oak. It’s commonly paired with steak, pork and fatty fish.

With black cherry flavors, sultry mocha and chocolatey finishes, hints of bay leaf, vanilla and plum, Merlot is great to pair with a creamy pasta dish or short rib.

This red tastes of sweet tobacco and Asian five-spice powder. It’s a bold, medium to full bodied wine with notes of stone fruits, black, blue and red fruits like sour cherries that pairs nicely with barbecue chicken, pork, cured meats and flavorful and firm cheeses.

White wines can be crisp and refreshing, and they’re best served cold with lighter meals like fish, chicken and fondue.

This dry white is very citrusy and fruity with a high acidity. French and Italian Sauvignon Blancs have grapefruit undertones, whereas New Zealand SB’s have a spice to them such as mint or grass or green pepper.

Think yellow citrus and tropical fruits like banana and pineapple, yellow apples and pears. Chardonnay is great with lobster, crab, shrimp and chicken, to name a few.

Pinot Grigio has a light citrus flavor, white floral notes and cheese rinds with a very light body and occasional almond notes. It pairs well with poached fish and most cheeses.

A floral wine that is light bodied and highly acidic, Riesling has notes of stone fruit, white flowers, petrol and citrus and pairs well with fondue.

A wine list wouldn’t be complete without these last two additions!

It’s hard not to love the bubbly, but not all sparkling wines are the same. Champagne comes from grapes in the Champagne region of France, whereas Prosecco is Italian. Champagne has notes of peach, almond, citrus, toast and white cherry. Prosecco, on the other hand, can feature notes of cream, green apple, honeydew melon, pear and honeysuckle. Prosecco is sweeter and has more froth than Champagne, but these bubbles don’t last quite as long.

A great drink for a summer day, Rose has notes of rose petal, refreshing honeydew melon and citrus zest.

Josh, Velvet Devil, Naked on Roller Skates, Jam Jar

Mer Soleil, Butter, Kim Crawford

Hampton Water, Chateau Miraval, Whispering Angel