Beginner’s Guide To Different Types Of Wine

The most important factor in the taste of a wine would be the grapes used to make the wine.

However, there are also other factors that affect the flavors, such as climate, exposure to sunlight, soil, how the grapes are fermented and handled, whether or not the wine is aged in wood, and the types of yeast used.

Because of all these factors, the same type of wine can be made in several different regions, but due to the variable factors, the wine will taste different. And that’s half the fun! Experiencing the numerous flavors available.

The word “varietal” simply refers to the variety of grape used to make a particular wine. Serious wine-producing countries and states regulate the amount of a particular grape that make up a particular wine. For instance, in California and Washington any wine referred to by the name of the grape (Chardonnay, for example) must be made up of at least 75% of that grape. Most varietals in Oregon must be 90% of the grape. Alsace requires 100%.

Here is a list of wines:

Red Wines       

Barbera
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chianti
Merlot
Nebbiolo
Petite Sirah
Pinot Noir
Sangiovese
Syrah/Shiraz
Tempranillo
Zinfandel

White Wines

Chablis
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Gewurztraminer
Muscat
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Savignon/Fume Blanc
Semillon
Viognier

Dessert/Fortified Wines

Madeira
Port
Sherry
Vermouth

Other Wines

Champagne/Sparkling Wine
Kosher Wine
Rose
White Zinfandel