Mr.Chow Introduces the ABCs of Alcohol

Last updated: 23 March 2023

[A brief breakdown of the different types of wines, liquor, beers, sakes, and soju.]

One day, humans discovered fermenting sugar from grains and fruits with yeast and BOOM! Every continent started doing it, eventually blessing us with a diverse and unique range of alcoholic delights. 

So, take Mr.Chow’s manly hands as we break down the alcohol categories for you, starting with wine. 

Types of Wines

1. Red Wine 

When our Ah Gong Ah Ma created red wines, they made them from fermenting black grapes, skin on, seeds in and all. This is how red wine gets its tantalising colour and is also why a tinge of bitterness hits with every sip. 

Keep red wines at room temperature to avoid their taste turning bitter. Come, Mr. Chow will give you another pro tip – to avoid overly dry and bitter red wines, ask for selections with low tannins; a great example is Pinot Noir! Pair it with meat, pasta, and hearty dishes for a satisfying flavour experience.

2. White Wine

Source: Far Niente

On the other hand, white wines are made with black and white grapes, albeit without skins. Hence why the crisp, fresh, tart flavours of the clear wine come through so elegantly. 

Sip on these picks for a start: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio; best paired with lighter dishes such as poultry, cheese, and seafood. Chill white wine before drinking it to bring out its flavours. Trust me, you’ll gain extra points from your date.

3. Rosé 

Source: Town & Country 

This blush wine gets its pink hues through a similar fermentation method to red wine, though at a lower temperature, and the skins are removed shortly. This is why Rosé tastes like red wine’s sweeter, softer-spoken sister; think Rosé from Blackpink. 

Also, don’t benda-benda. Rosé is NOT a girly drink, OK! It’s a relatively healthy drink that everyone can sip on. Rosé is super high in antioxidants and, to some extent, helps reduce disease risk and even encourages healthy ageing. 

Scrap any “Rosé is a cheap wine” ideas too. The difference in price compared to other wines only lies in the less complicated production process of Rosé.

4. Sparkling Wines

Source: Heb

Also known as carbonated wine, sparkling wines are made from black and white grapes, with carbon dioxide naturally fizzing up the liquid during fermentation. To paint a clearer picture of what this wine is – the president of the sparkling wines club is champagne. 

Ever wondered who would think of putting gas in wine? Well, its creation was actually a mistake due to weather-induced temperature fluctuations that altered the entire fermentation process. Happy accidents!

5. Dessert Wines

Source: Barefoot Wine

As the name suggests, these wines are always sweet and to be enjoyed during dessert. The wine has a pronounced sweetness as there is comparatively more residual sugar after fermentation. 

Starter picks include Moscato and Icewine, best paired with cheese or baked goods that satisfy your sweet tooth.

6. Fortified Wines

Source: Broadway Wine and Liquor

These are wines with neutral spirits like brandy added during the fermentation process to "fortify" the wine. Adding spirits before produces a sweet wine, and adding them after produces a dry wine. 

The sweet wines are then considered dessert wines with lower alcohol content, whereas the dry wines have a much higher alcohol percentage of 17% - 22%. The most common fortified wines you would know of are Port and Sherry.

Types of Liquor  

Each category of liquor has its unique characteristics. But be careful – liquor, alternatively known as distilled spirits, are not for the lightweights, as they usually have an ABV of at least 40%. Let’s break them down:

1. Gin

Source: Suntory

Gin is a distilled spirit of fresh juniper berries and pine scents. This Dutch fellow, Dr Franciscus Sylvus, was the first to create gin, but he did it by accident while trying to concoct a solution for stomach and kidney disorders. Power sia! 

Add a tablespoon of dry vermouth and 5 tablespoons of gin with a slice of lemon, and you’ve got yourself a Gin Martini. Show some face to Doc Francis mou? Order a bottle of Suntory Roku Gin! 

2. Vodka

Source: Absolut

What does an alcoholic drive? Vod-car. 

Vodka is typically made from water and ethanol from cereal grains such as wheat and sorghum; fruits, too, as the key is the carbohydrates found in these foods. 

Brands nowadays incorporate other base ingredients such as sugar beets and potatoes with additives like spices and botanicals, so we taste more distinctive notes. 

3. Rum

Source: Captain Morgan

Rum is one of the oldest distilled spirits initially available throughout South America, the Caribbean, and England; it eventually made its way around the world. 

Made using sugarcane, early production methods involved mixing molasses and skimming from the production of sugar to be fermented and then distilled. This process distinguishes rum from all other liquors.

4. Brandy

Source: Hennessy

Also known as burnt wine, brandy is a distilled spirit produced from fermented fruit, most commonly grapes. Because of its fruity tang, brandy, like Bols or Hennessy, becomes a solid foundation for many cocktails and even alcoholic desserts like Christmas puddings. As Brandy is often aged in wood barrels, the liquid absorbs hints of oak aroma and matures with a rich shade of amber. Very sexy.

5. Whisky

Source: Chivas Regal

The term itself is derived from the Gaelic term ‘uisge’, which translates to the ‘water of life’. Whisky starts off as essentially beer, which is then further heated into a concentrated vapour that gets collected as high-proof liquid distillate a.k.a. completing its final form as whisky. This gives the liquor its ABV of 40% up to 70%. Popular brands include Jameson and Chivas Regal. Try it out!

6. Tequila

Source: Berevita

The hearts of agave plants are used to make tequila. See, no girlfriend/boyfriend, no problem. Because there’s still a living being willing to give their heart to you. 

The agave heart, also known as the piñas, is extracted, cooked, grounded, and then fermented to make tequila. So unlike fruit-based alcohols such as wine, which can regrow fruits from the same plant in time, the agave plant is tossed out after it has been harvested, and a brand new plant has to be grown again.

Types of Beer

Beer is made by the fermentation of grains and has been the go-to alcoholic drink for many even since the mediaeval times. There are three main types of beer today, specifically Lager, Stout, and Pilsner - all of them responsible for the disappearance of Mr. Chow’s six-pack.

1.    Lager

The entry point for first-time beer drinkers. Made using bottom-fermenting yeast that has a lower tolerance to alcohol, giving lagers a light, crisp, malty taste. 

2.    Stout

Dark in colour, varying in taste. Stouts are usually sweet, full-bodied, and have the aroma of roasty ale that gives off hints of coffee and cream. The sweetness from unfermented sugars in stout offsets any bitterness. Most of this beer originates from Ireland and England and is very well-loved. 

3.    Pilsner

Pilsners hail from the Czech Republic and fall under the lager category. What distinguishes the two types is the spicier and more hoppy taste of a Pilsner. 

Types of Sake

Pristine and delicate, this alcoholic delicacy made from fermented rice grains is well-loved by alcohol drinkers in regions beyond its origin in Japan. The proper term for ‘sake’ in Japanese is actually ‘Nihonsu’.

1.    Junmai (純米)

Sources: Tippsy Sake, Whisky.my 

Meaning ‘pure rice’, Junmai sake is brewed using only rice, water, koji (a type of fungus used in culinary), and yeast without additives such as sugar or alcohol. It has an acidic-fuller body and often takes on a rich umami flavour, which is why it’s commonly recommended to be served hot.

2.    Junmai Gingo (純米吟醸)

Sources: Nanbubijin, Oenon

A premium sake made with the same ingredients as Junmai, except rice is polished to at least 60%. Its sophisticated fermentation techniques give Gingo a fruitier, layered flavour that’s lighter than Junmai. 

3.    Junmai Daiginjo (純米大吟醸)

Sources: Hamachidori

The premium of the premium. The mastery required to produce a bottle of Daiginjo is going to set you back a few hundred dollars. But with its humbly impressive fragrance and fruity flavours, it’s easily the best sake that money can buy.

4.    Honjozo (本醸造)

Sources: Tenju

Honjozo often has small amounts of distilled alcohol added to smoothen the drinking experience. Enjoyed at room temperature, this light sake doesn’t often interfere with food flavours and is best paired with sashimi.

5.    Futsushu (普通酒)

Sources: E-Sakaya, Tomozoe Honten

Also known as table sake, this is the most basic and common sake you’ll find in the market. Futsushu is usually used for cooking, so if you’re intending to guzzle yourself happy, I’d recommend you go for other more flavourful sake categories, such as Gingo and Daiginjo.

6.    Nigori (濁り酒)

Sources: Hakubotan

In contrast to the standard pale and translucent sake, Nigori has a milky appearance as it contains actual rice sediments. Most often sweet and creamy. Best enjoyed chilled paired with well-seasoned dishes. 

Soju 

Sources: Creatrip

Distilled with sweet potatoes, barley, tapioca, and/or rice, Soju has a clean taste reminiscent of vodka but carries mild notes of sweetness with bitter undertones. And just like vodka, Soju is constantly flavoured with a variety of fruit fragrances. Because Soju is less boozy than most spirits, it also makes a great substitute for cocktails if you prefer something lighter. But even on its own accompanied by K-BBQ spread… SLURP!

Liquor, Wine or Beer? Your Choice!

That said, it's time we let you explore the best of these varieties of alcohol we have on offer. Take advantage of our free liquor delivery service now and place your order here!