Knowing the five basic types of wines will be a good start in becoming a connoisseur. Although many people identify with the white and red varieties, each bottle that you get will have its own identity and character. Although two bottles can come from the same region, the grape varieties and the climate can play a significant factor in their sweetness and alcohol levels.
Generally, wines are classified into five main types. These are the Rosé, Red, Sweet, Sparkling, and White. Many people may think that white varieties are made exclusively using white grapes. However, the reality is that many vintners use black or red grapes to make them.
About the White Varieties
White wine is produced by extracting the red colors and pigments, and the makers capitalize on the grape juice alone. In many cases, the white wine will provide a flavor profile that’s described as savory, creamy, and bright. The recommended varieties based on these factors are the Moscato, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.
The food pairs that are perfect for them are meat, creamy cheese, seafood, fish, salad, and more. You can read about pairings on other sites. If you want to get more information about storage and cellar options, you can visit sites like https://winecellarcreations.com/product-category/wine-racks and read more about the racks that are perfect for your Chardonnay. Some blogs recommended the kind of glasses that you should choose for the sparkling varieties, so be sure to check them out.
Information about the Reds
The production of the red varieties is similar to the making of the white wine, but there’s an addition, which is the grape skin. The fermentation process includes the grape pips and seeds so that they will have more tannin content. The red wine will be fermented at higher temperatures so that their flavors and scents will be more decadent. The temperature, concentration, and duration of the fermentation process will also vary.
You can choose from Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon if you want to get high-quality bottles. These are excellent choices when you start as a beginner, and you can check their tastes for starters.
Food pairings that are perfect for your reds are grilled veggies, chicken, and dishes with white meats. Full-bodied meals like smoked meat, steaks, and hamburgers are better paired with your Pinot Noir. Perfect aged red bottles enhance their tastes when you place them in glasses with big bowls.
Rosé Bottles
Rosé wines are pinkish in color. They are made from black or red grapes and their fermentation time is about 36 hours maximum. Other vintners will just combine white and red together to make Rosé. The flavor may range from sweet to dry, and the color will be from dark pink to the pale ones. The tannin levels in the bottle are lower, and the slight bitterness may be minimized.
The food pairs recommended in this lighter flavor are poultry, fish, and fruits. There are recommended glasses that have curl lines at the bottom. These kinds are designed to cope well with each type of wine’s identities and characters, and Rosé glasses are something that many restaurateurs can benefit from.
Dessert Varieties
For dessert varieties, there’s not a solid definition that constantly defines this sweeter wine. This is mostly because the sweetness is an ever-present character, and it helps enhance the desserts after a satisfying meal. In many countries like the UK, people may get the white bottle varieties as a drink before the meal or an aperitif. The sweeter reds are what will rinse their palates afterward. Sweeter bottles can include a Sherry, Tawny, or Port.
The food pairs can include soft cheese or smoked meats as well. These foods are perfect additions to any dessert served at a party. The recommended wine glasses are small shots. They are usually made from clear crystals rather than conventional glasses.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling varieties are often associated with celebrations. The bubbles that make the drinks spark are due to the liquid’s carbon dioxide that occurs naturally. The CO2 may be added specifically for the extra sparks during the process of fermentation.
Sparkling wines may be categorized according to the regions where they were made. An example is the Prosecco from Italy, Cava in Spain, and Champagne in France. You can read more about Cava on this site here.
The perfect food pairs for this variety are usually cheese, salad, bread, or fish. Elegant tall glasses can help retain the bubbles and temperatures for this drink. Now that you have an idea of the kinds of wines, it’s now time to look at the grapes used to make these.
Differences in Edible Grapes and Wine Grapes
The edible grapes are different from those varieties made for wines. The species that are fermented are called Vitis Vinifera, while the table grapes are called Vitis Labrusca. There are a lot of differences between these two.
Table grapes are larger, have higher productions, lesser acidity, lesser sugar, and have thinner skins. Overall, their flavors are less potent because of the decrease in tannin levels. Fruits made for fermentation have thicker skins, and they are smaller. They have more sugar and acidity levels, which result in more aroma and flavors. This is what gives a bottle of its flavor and structure.
Different Tastes
Acidity
The acidity will play a very important role. Generally, the drinks have a fair degree of acidity, and you can tell how much acid is there with the way that you salivate after drinking. The acidity factor will taste like a zesty and crisp citrus fruit that will make for a good drink.
Sweetness
The range of wines can be considered as off-dry or dry. The bone-dry sweetness is common in vintage bottles. The sweetness can add a full-body experience and element to your drink. Fruit-forward may often be confused with the sweeter varieties, but they are different.
Fruit forward is usually the term that describes a wine with dominant flavors in the realm of sweets. This does not mean that the overall taste is sweet. This just means that the drink is bursting with sweeter fruit smells like cherries, toffee, sweet pineapples, or ripe peaches.