Water and wine belong together. Whether with a meal, to refresh the palate occasionally or to quench your thirst so that your wine enjoyment doesn’t get out of hand. But does every water go with every wine? After all, you don’t want to spoil the fine wine. On the contrary, if you choose the right water, the wine can become a true taste experience.
Differences in water
If we drink the water to cover our daily fluid requirement of 1.5 to 2 liters, we can actually decide freely according to taste and preference. In Germany, we have around 500 mineral waters and 70 medicinal waters from 230 local mineral springs at our disposal. However, it can also be tap water as an everyday drink. Mineral water is often superior in quality, is available almost everywhere and quenches thirst just as well.
The taste of mineral water is determined by its carbon dioxide content, mineral content and origin. The more carbon dioxide it contains, the more acidic and hard a mineral water is in the mouth. The richer it is in minerals such as sodium, calcium Chemisches Element Ca mit der Ordnungszahl 20, Mineralstoff, der zu den Mengenelementen zählt. Unter den Mineralstoffen ha... and magnesium, the stronger it is. If the water comes from natural mineral springs, it tastes finer than artificially enriched water. However, if you drink water as a complement to fine wine, there are a few points to bear in mind.
Which water is suitable?
The balanced mineralization and medium carbon dioxide content of a medium water harmonize very well with fresh white wines. Conversely, red wines go best with still water. This is because carbon dioxide would intensify the bitter taste of the substances often contained in red wine too much.
Wines with residual sweetness, for example Beerenauslesen or Gewürztraminer, harmonize very well with a sparkling sparkling wine. The carbonated water makes them less expansive. And the contrast even has a refreshing effect.
High-priced exotic water from abroad is superfluous as a drink with wine. It may make a great impression, but it makes little sense. In view of the more than plentiful supply of domestic waters, among which there is always a suitable one for every red or white wine, it is hardly worth resorting to expensive exotic wines imported from abroad. The money saved here is much better invested in a fine wine whose taste quality is really convincing.
No-Gos
However, you should stay away from medicinal and table waters. Healing waters are not called such for nothing. To be allowed to use this name, they must undergo an approval procedure at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Due to their high mineral content, medicinal waters often have a very strong taste of their own, which can significantly impair the enjoyment of wine.
Table water is also not particularly suitable as a refreshment with wine. It is usually blended by the industry from several sources to ensure consistent flavor. Or it is simply tap water to which sea salt and other minerals have been added. It is also often enriched with artificial carbon dioxide. This tastes coarser than natural and can distort the taste of the wine.
On the safe side
If you are not sure which mineral water goes best with which wine, it is best to choose a medium mineral water with a moderate mineral content. This is not always completely appropriate, but at least it does not distort the taste of the wine. As a general rule, the total mineralization of the water should not be higher than 500 mg/l, otherwise its taste will become too dominant and that of the wine will fade into the background.
Don’t forget to drink
The combination of water and wine promises a long-lasting enjoyment experience, provided you choose the right type of water to go with the wine. If you leave out medicinal and table water, you have already done a lot right. If you then choose a mineral water with a suitable carbon dioxide and mineral content to match the type of wine, in case of doubt medium in both respects, you can look forward to unadulterated wine enjoyment and do your body some good with the additional fluid intake.
