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Are you new to wine drinking? Are you looking for some helpful, basic wine education? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Wine is universal and is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has an ancient history, yet it is timeless. Each bottle of wine is unique, a true combination of art and science. Ready? Once you have some basic wine knowledge, the way you perceive, taste and purchase wine will change forever. So, come on in and enrich your experience with this delicious, complex, dynamic, living beverage we call wine. There is much to know, but it is journey well worth taking. Please check back often. We're adding new wine information all the time.
| The basics | Novice | Expert Knowledge | Cellaring |
The basics
Understanding Different Types of Wines
To understand more about wine, you'll first want to know the different types of wines.
All types of wine fall into one of these categories:
White Wine , Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, (including Champagne), Dessert Wine, and Fortified Wine.
Within each of these categories will be several specific grape types. An individual grape type is called a varietal.
A wine’s character and flavor will be determined by the specific grape varietal grown and how those grapes are treated throughout the wine making process.
Reading wine grape descriptions will be very helpful. Tasting the different types of wines is the best way to distinguish one from the other.
Shopping for wine and becoming familiar with wine labels will also help you learn about the different wine types.
In the United States, wines are usually referred to by the type or variety of grape (varietal) grown to produce them.
For example, you’ll see the words “Pinot Noir” or “Chardonnay” written on the label.
Many wines are a combination or “blend” of two or more grape varietals. Legally, the label only has to reveal the name of a single grape varietal if at least 75% of the wine is made from that one grape type.
The other 25% of the wine can be made from one
or more other grape varietals and those do not
have to be listed.
However, many US wine makers voluntarily list all grape varietals used in a wine blend on their label. Sometimes you will even see the percentages included.
In Europe, wines are generally named for the region (appellation) that a wine's grapes are grown in, not for the grape.
Where a wine is grown, by whom it is grown, and the type of soil it is grown in are just as important as the type of wine grapes grown. However, this makes it difficult to tell which wine grape(s) are used in the production of that wine.
As you begin to enjoy European wines, become familiar with the various wine growing regions and wine producers. You'll not only learn about the quality of that region and producer, you’ll learn what type of grapes are grown there and used in the production of their wines.
Here are some you may already know. Burgundy wine from the region of Burgundy (Bourgogne) in France is made with Pinot Noir grapes, and Chianti from the region of Chianti in Tuscany, Italy is made with Sangiovese grapes.