Different Types of Wine

There are several different types of wine as well as varieties of wine grapes. If you enjoy a drop, chances are you enjoy various flavours too! Let’s unpack the main types of wine..

Introduction

Wine is a complex and diverse beverage that has been enjoyed for centuries. There are many different types of wine, each with its unique flavor and appearance.

Whether you prefer a fruity white wine or a full-bodied red, there’s sure to be a wine that suits your taste.

From Sauvignon blanc to pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, we’ll explore the different types of wine so that you can find the perfect one for you.

What are the 6 main types of wine?

Think you know all there is to know about wine? Guess again! There are six main types of wine, each with a unique flavor profile.

How a wine tastes depends on various factors, including how long it’s aged and in what type of vessel. Climate, grape variety, acidity, sweetness, and juice-to-skin contact time are also important considerations.

The 6 main types of wine we are covering here are:

• Red wines
• White wines
• Rose
• Sparking wines
• Dessert wines
• Fortified wines

Red Wines

Red wines are some of the most diverse and flavorful drinks around! There are so many different types of red wine, each with unique flavors and characteristics.

Whether you prefer light and fruity rosés, or rich and full-bodied cabernets, there’s a red wine for everyone.

Here are some of the most famous red wines that we recommend trying:

●     Cabernet Sauvignon

●      Pinot Noir

●      Merlot

●      Zinfandel

●      Syrah/Shiraz

Red wine and steak have always been a classic pairing, but not all red wines are created equal.

White Wines

White wines are known for their refreshing, fruity flavors. While there are many different types of white wine, they all share a few common characteristics.

For example, white wines are usually lighter in color and body than red wines and have lower tannin levels, making them more versatile regarding food pairings.

They are made from white and black grapes, but red wines are fermented with grape skins. The skins are removed, leaving only the clear grape juice, resulting in a light, refreshing beverage.

Some of the most famous white wines that wine lovers can try are:

●     Chardonnay

●      Moscato

●      Sauvignon Blanc

●      Pinot Grigio

White wines are best paired with lighter foods like fish, poultry, and salads. But don’t be afraid to experiment!

Rosé Wines

Rosé Wines get their color from red wine grapes and fermenting with grape skins for a reduced amount of time. This gives Rosé Wines their pink hue and lighter flavor, unlike red wine’s fuller-bodied taste.

Rosé wines typically come from a blend of various wine grapes. Rosé, however, can also just be made from one type of grape.

Some of the most common Rose Wines are:

●     Provence Rosé

●      Grenache Rosé

●      Sangiovese Rosé

●      Zinfandel Rosé

The fruity flavors make rosé especially good for drinking with spicy dishes.

Sparkling Wines

Most of us have tasted sparkling wine — at the very least around the holidays or when celebrating a special occasion, right?

Sparkling wines have been carbonated and usually small amounts of sugar are added. Carbonation decreases the body in wine, so sparkling wines are typically light and refreshing.

The taste of sparkling wine is impacted by the location where it was produced, which grape(s) were used, and climate conditions during the growing process.

Some of the most famous Sparkling wines across the globe are:

●     Champagne

●      Prosecco

●      Cava

●      Crémant

●      Sekt

The delicate taste of sparkling wine is best balanced with other light, less rich flavors.

Dessert Wines

Dessert wines are a broad category of sweet wines typically served after a meal. These drinks often contain more sugar and alcohol than other types of wine and can include fortified wine, sweet wine, and sparkling varieties.

Port, Madeira, Sherry, and late-harvest wines are examples of dessert wines with more than 15% alcohol by volume¹ (ABV).

Here are some other dessert wines people love:

●     Sparkling Dessert Wine

●      Lightly Sweet Dessert Wine

●      Richly Sweet Dessert Wine

●      Sweet Red Wine

●      Fortified Wine

They go well with sweets and cheese, but many prefer to sip them alone.

Fortified Wines

A bottle of fortified wine is a delicious, thick wine-based sipping treat commonly served before or after dinner. Madeira, Marsala, port, sherry, and vermouth are the most common fortified wines.²

The fundamental procedure for producing fortified wine involves fermenting a base wine and combining it with distilled spirits.

The most famous fortified wines include, from sweetest to driest:

●      Sherry

●      Port wine

●      Vermouth

●      Marsala

In general, these wines work as both an aperitif and dessert wine.

“The most grown grape variety for wine is Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Per and Britt karlsson – forbes.com³

How many types of wine grapes⁴ are there?

Over 10,000 wine grapes are cultivated worldwide; New varieties have often been developed by grafting or other methods to produce hybrids. It’s standard for particular grapes to be only prevalent in specific countries. Wines made from these local grapes are considered characteristic of the country or region where they come from.

Some of the famous wine grapes are:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Barbera
• Burgundy
• Grenache
• Petite Sirah
• Riesling
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio / Gris
• Bordeaux

FAQs about wine:

Is champagne a wine?

Champagne is a sparkling wine⁵ from France’s Champagne region, located northeast of Paris. Dom Pérignon created the first sparkling champagne in 1693. Generally, the types of grapes used to produce champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes.

What is the most alcoholic wine?

Wines that are red or white generally have higher alcohol contents⁶, with the average starting at 14% but some reaching up to 20%.

Which type of wine is healthiest?

Pinot Noir is one of the healthiest red⁷ wines you can drink. The grapes used to make Pinot have thin skin, so it has low tannins but high levels of resveratrol.

“Red wines like pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon tend to be highest in resveratrol antioxidants, which research suggests may support heart health.”

Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN – realsimple.com⁷

What types of wine should be chilled?

White and sparkling wines are usually served chilled and are best kept in a refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

Final Words

There are many different types of wine, each with a distinct flavor and characteristic. So whether you prefer red, white, or sparkling wine, there is sure to be a variety that suits your taste.

So next time you are looking for a new wine to try, be sure to explore the different options available. If you’re more of a beer drinker, you might want to check out our articles on Types of Beer, Types of Cider, or What is a Microbrewery.

References List

1. ‘Dessert Wine: Why It’s Different From Other Wines and How to Pair It’, McKenzie Hagan, Usual Wines, Published: May 27, 2020. Accessed online at https://usualwines.com/blogs/knowledge-base/dessert-wine on Sep 13, 2022.
2. ‘Global Fortified Wine (Port, Sherry, Marsala, Madeira, Commandaria, Vermouth) Market, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities Report 2021-2026 – ResearchAndMarkets.com’, Business Wire. Published October 27, 2021. Accessed online at https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211027005771/en/Global-Fortified-Wine-Port-Sherry-Marsala-Madeira-Commandaria-Vermouth-Market-Competition-Forecast-Opportunities-Report-2021-2026—ResearchAndMarkets.com on Sep 13, 2022.
3. ‘The Top Ten Grape Varieties In The World’, Perr and Britt Karlsson, Forbes. Published: Jan 24, 2018. Accessed online at https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlsson/2018/01/24/the-top-ten-grape-varieties-in-the-world/?sh=2f9f06d91008 on Sep 13, 2022.
4. ‘Types Of Wines & Grapes’, Vinepair Staff, Vinepair. Accessed online at https://vinepair.com/wine-101/types-of-wines-grapes/ on Sep 13, 2022.
5. ‘Champagne and Prosecco: What’s the Difference?’, Northstar Liquor Superstore. Published December 3, 2020. Accessed online at https://www.northstarliquorsuperstore.com/champagne-and-prosecco-whats-the-difference/ on Sep 13, 2022.
6. ‘Which Wines Have The Highest Alcohol Content? The Strongest Revealed’, Drink Stack. Published: November 12, 2020. Accessed online at https://drinkstack.com/wine/which-wines-have-the-highest-alcohol-content/ on Sep 13, 2022.
7. ‘The 3 Healthiest Types of Wine, According to Registered Dietitians’, Betty Gold, Real Simple. Published: Jan 20, 2021. Accessed online at https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/beverages/healthiest-wines on Sep 13, 2022.