What’s In Your Glass? Your Introduction To The 4 Basic Types Of Wine
The world of wine can be a bit overwhelming, especially with so many brands, types, and tastes out there. We wanted to make it easier, so enjoy our no-frills guide to the 4 basic types of wine where we’ll explore the differences between white wines, red wines, rosés, and sparkling wines.
Whether you’re new to wine, are a casual drinker, or have visited a winery before, having an understanding of the common wine varieties will help you find the perfect wine for you!
Note: This is just skimming the surface of what is possible, especially since pairings and tastes are very individual experiences with many factors that vary more on the particular wine itself than the color.
WHAT’S IN YOUR GLASS?
Wine wisdom: Tannins are a naturally-occurring compound in grape skins that give a wine more dryness.
White Wine
White Wine
How It Looks: Straw yellow, yellow-green or golden in color
How It Tastes:
White wines tend to taste light and fruity.
Best Pairings:
Pair with lower intensity meals like fish/chicken.
How it’s Made:
Fermented without the grape skins.
Pink/Rosé Wine
Rosé
How It Looks: Pinkish in color but can vary in shades
How It Tastes:
Rosés tend to taste fresh with a touch of acidity.
Best Pairings:
Pair well with salads and pasta/rice dishes.
How it Made:
Fermented for a short time with the grape skins.
Red Wine
Red Wine
How It Looks: Light red to a deeper, darker red
How It Tastes:
Taste heavy & complex and tend to be drier.
Best Pairings:
Pair well with higher intensity meals like steak.
How It’s Made:
Fermented with the grape skin & have more tannin.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Wine
How It Looks: Can range from white to pink to red
How It Tastes:
Can comprise the whole spectrum from dry to sweet.
Best Pairings:
Dry pairs with cheeses/sweet with desserts.
How It’s Made:
Are carbonated naturally or after fermentation.
Note: This is just skimming the surface of what is possible, especially since pairings and tastes are very individual experiences with many factors that vary more with the particular wine itself than the color.
In conclusion:
We can see that there are a lot of factors that go into wines of different colors, many of which are very subtle and up to your individual tastes. Don’t let that scare you though! We think it is exciting to explore the nuances and grow your palate for wine, so use this guide as a starting point for what’s to come and always enjoy responsibly!
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Before you go, we’d love to know: “What’s your favorite type of wine and why?”