Did you know wine is one of the oldest drinks in history?
People have been drinking fermented grapes for thousands of years. Because of this long history, there are now so many iconic types of wines to choose from. It’s a little confusing when you’re buying wine online.
Don’t panic, we’re here to introduce you to the most common types of wines. Discover how wineries make them, what distinguishes each drink from the other, and what kind of meals they pair with. Continue reading our wine guide below to learn more:
Red Wine
When it comes to wine types, you need to start with the staple choice: red wines. Deep reds are often the choice for a nice romantic dinner or a gourmet meal. The pinnacle choice of them all is the pinot noir.
Pinot Noir
Many refer to pinot noir as the sexiest wine in the cellar. It’s a light to medium red with a strong fruity tinge. With a sniff and a sip, you’ll immediately taste the red-aroma fruit, earthiness, and a touch of spiciness.
This mixture makes it one of the best wines for a date. Bring this out on your anniversary, for example. It goes well with veal.
Pinot Noir wine uses Vitis vinifera (pinot noir) grapes, which come from France and relies on dry wine fermentation. This requires pressing the grapes and then fermenting the sugar using yeast.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a deep red wine that uses a grape breed born from the mixture of cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc. Wineries also age this type of wine in barrels of oak, further giving it a deep, heavy taste. The oak also adds a tinge of spice and vanilla to the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the drink to pull out for a formal dinner and it goes well with deep red meat, such as a steak. This is the kind of drink you should request when dining out and you want to feel fancy.
Merlot
Merlot is a common one but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad choice. You simply need to know what you’re looking for. Make sure to follow the complete buying guide when shopping for a bottle of Merlot.
Like Pinot Noir, this is a dry wine. This type of drink also comes with a touch of plum and black cherry.
One good thing Merlot has going for it is its chemical composition. It has the right amount of resveratrol to help the heart.
White Wine
Unlike red wines, white wine requires skinning the grapes before proceeding to fermentation. As the name suggests, this type of wine relies on white grapes instead of red ones. A good starting point for white wines is the Chardonnay:
Chardonnay
This is one of the most common white wines in the United States but the grapes grow globally. It’s a medium to full-bodied drink that requires fermentation in oak barrels, giving it a soft, buttery touch.
Chardonnay goes well with chicken and creamy dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc
If you’re looking for a light white wine that comes with a touch of crispy fruit flavor and a dry mix, try out a Sauvignon Blanc. For added vanilla and spice, look for one aged in oak. This is the drink to bring out when you’re dining on grilled chicken, scallops, or mixed vegetables.
Pinot Grigio
This is one of the most iconic white wines from Italy. It’s a light, dry white wine that comes with a soft touch of apple or pear. If you’re looking for a wine that goes well with seafood, this should be your first choice.
Sparkling Wine
Looking for wine with a bit of a fizzy punch? You should try out sparkling wine. This is wine mixed with carbon dioxide, which gives it its iconic fizz.
Champagne
Champagne is easily one of the most popular wines in the world. Keep in mind that all champagne is sparkling wine but not the other way around. A drink is only considered champagne if it comes from the Champagne region, found in France.
This sparkling wine comes with a soft fruity taste and a lighter alcoholic touch. Champagne is the ideal choice for celebrations but it can still go well with almost any dish. However, it’s the optimal choice if you’re having seafood.
Prosecco
If Champagne is from France, Prosecco comes from Italy. It’s one of the best sparkling wines out there due to its sweeter taste. This likely comes from the fact that Prosecco uses sweet Glera grapes.
Unlike Champagne, most wineries use the tank-fermentation method for Prosecco. This gives it bigger bubbles. This makes it a visually pleasing drink and a popular choice for cocktail parties.
Rosé
This is the most unique wine on this list because it’s a mixture of two drinks. Traditional Sparkling Rosé starts with a glass of Chardonnay. You then mix a touch of Pinot Noir to give it its iconic pink look.
Rosé is a great drink to start with if you’re not into wines. It’s a medium drink that’s light enough for newcomers but heavy enough for you to feel an impact. This is a good choice for early dinners or if you’re celebrating with friends.
There are other variations but the basics remain the same. This drink requires taking a white wine and adding a kiss of red.
Try Out the Different Types of Wines Today
Now you know the different types of wines, which ones to pick, and how wineries make them. Don’t hesitate to revisit this list when you want to go over which red, white, or sparkling wine to choose for a special occasion.
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