What Are the Different Types of Wine That Exist Today?

Back in 2017, scientists found 8,000-year-old pieces of pottery that contained ancient evidence of grape winemaking. This beloved beverage has been around for centuries, and people continue to enjoy it today.

In all that time, wine has branched off into countless different styles. Each one provides a slightly different experience and allows for aficionados and casual drinkers alike to develop a taste for their own personal favorites.

No matter how much wine you’ve experienced, this article is here to teach you all about the different styles. Grab a glass and a corkscrew and get ready to learn the basics of popular types of wine.

What is Wine?

Even though the wine industry has taken off and produced many types of wine and wine accessories for people to enjoy, the basic process of making wine has stayed the same. Long story short, wine is what comes from fermented grape wine juice.

Believe it or not, wine is made with special types of grapes literally called wine grapes. These are not the ones you can buy in a supermarket – those are called table grapes.

Wine grapes are smaller than their supermarket counterparts, and they often contain more sugar and many seeds. With 1,368 varieties of wine grapes currently used to produce wines, you can see how a multitude of wine styles have been introduced to the world.

Let’s dive a little deeper and learn about the six major styles. Each style has its own variations that we’ll also touch upon to learn even more.

Red Wine

Perhaps the first thing people think of when they hear “wine” is red wine. This style is a classic pick for many people. The best red wine tends to be more dry and bitter than other styles.

However, dryness and bitterness can vary greatly depending on the type of red wine you choose. Here are a few of the most popular red wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This style is generally dry and has a full body. You can expect it to be paired with steak, red meat dishes, or heavy dishes.

Pinot Noir

A bit sweeter and lighter than other reds, this wine is popular amongst casual drinkers. Expect this wine to be paired with pasta, pizza, and poultry.

Merlot

Merlots are somewhere in the middle with a medium body and bitterness. This style goes well with pork, burgers, as well as mushrooms, and duck.

White Wine

White wines tend to be crisper than red wines. Generally, the best white wine is served chilled as well, adding to the style’s refreshing taste.

Much like red wine, many varieties of white wine exist. While each one falls under the category of white wine, they all offer small differences in flavor and feel.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay tends to be a dry wine. Generally, it has a fruity flavor with acidic elements, like lemon or apple. This style is often paired with seafood poultry or cheese.

Sauvignon Blanc

Much lighter than Chardonnay, this style often tastes like citrus with notes of melon. You might find sauvignon blanc paired with herby cheeses, poultry dishes, or fish.

Pinot Grigio

One of the lightest styles of white wine is the pinot grigio. This style sometimes contains floral notes as well as citrus water. Find it paired with salads and mild cheeses.

Rosé

Rosé is a category all on its own, despite the common misconception that it is a mixture of red wine and white wine. Even though rosé wines tend to be lighter in color, they are actually made with black wine grapes.

During the fermentation process, the skin of the wine grapes is removed after a short amount of time, so the remaining juice is only slightly tinted red. Hence, rosé gets its distinct pinkish tone.

While there are many brands of rosé wine, the style is consistent across the board. It tends to be sweet in flavor and light in body. You will often find it served before a meal with appetizers, cheese, or chips.

Sparkling Wine

Often considered a “fancy” alcoholic beverage for special occasions, or for making a mimosa for brunch, sparkling wines include champagne and prosecco.

These wines become carbonated during the fermentation process, giving them their bubbly quality and fizzy mouthfeel. You will often see these wines paired with lighter foods such as smoked salmon, soft cheese, or fresh fruit.

Also, you might be wondering why these wines are often served in long, thin glasses. Basically, this glass design helps the wine stay cool and provides maximum bubbliness.

Dessert Wines and Fortified Wines

Dessert wines and fortified wines are specialized wines that are often consumed after meals. Regular dessert wines are very sweet, so they are usually served alongside cheesecake, pudding, cookies, or really any dessert you can think of.

Fortified wines are wines mixed with distilled spirits, usually brandy. Fortified wines are also served after dinners as a sipping treat. Again, you’ll find it paired with post-dinner dishes.

Even More Types of Wine to Learn About

Unfortunately, we can’t cover every single style of wine in this article. With so many types of wine on the market, you have the opportunity to explore every style and try them yourself.

Not to mention, the popularity of this alcoholic beverage has spanned countless groups of enthusiasts who are happy to share their knowledge about wine. Hopefully, this article gave you a good idea about the different styles of wine so you can grab a glass, make some great food, and sip away!