As an expert sommelier and brewer, I am here to provide you with a detailed answer to the question: Is Jinro plum wine? Let's explore this topic together.
To begin with, it is important to understand the definition of wine. Wine is typically made by fermenting the juice of grapes, and it can also be made from other fruits such as plums. However, there are certain criteria that need to be met for a beverage to be classified as wine.
According to the second definition of wine, it can also refer to a beverage made from fermented fruit juice other than grapes, especially when using a specific type of fruit. In this case, plum wine would be made from fermented plum juice. However, Jinro Chamisul plum soju does not fit this definition.
Jinro Chamisul plum soju is actually not a wine at all. Soju is a traditional Korean distilled spirit, similar to vodka, that is typically made from rice, wheat, or barley. In the case of Jinro Chamisul plum soju, a neutral spirit is used as the base, and then it is infused with Asian plum flavoring.
This process of infusing the neutral spirit with plum flavoring is different from the fermentation process used to make plum wine. The addition of flavoring to a neutral spirit does not meet the criteria for making wine.
It is worth noting that the term “plum wine” is often used colloquially to refer to any alcoholic beverage that has a plum flavor. This can lead to some confusion, as Jinro Chamisul plum soju may be referred to as plum wine due to its plum flavoring.
In my personal experience, I have come across a variety of plum-flavored alcoholic beverages that are not technically wines. These include plum liqueurs, plum-infused spirits, and plum-flavored cocktails. These beverages often have a rich and fruity plum taste, but they are not made through the fermentation of plum juice.
To summarize, Jinro Chamisul plum soju is not considered plum wine as it is made using a neutral spirit that is then augmented with Asian plum flavoring. While it may have a plum flavor, it does not meet the criteria for being classified as wine. It is important to understand the specific processes and ingredients used in the production of different alcoholic beverages to accurately categorize them.