The grape varieties in the world seem countless resulting in more varieties of wine than one can possibly learn. There are some basic types of wine that should be known, however. There are five basic varieties of white wine, and seven varieties of red wine. Keeping in mind that these wines are only a building block for the other varieties, these types are good to learn in order to be a more informed wine taster.
White wines come in five main forms. The first is Riesling which is a German grape. The wine is sweet with an acidity to balance it out. The aroma is generally one of apples and the wine is very light. Another white wine is Gewürztraminer. This is a very aromatic wine with the scent of rose petal, peach, and allspice. It typically has a very fruity flavor. Chardonnay originated in France and is a very popular white wine. It can be made sparkling or still and is wider bodied than other whites. It typically possesses rich citrus flavors. Sauvignon Blanc is a French originated wine, but has excellent production in New Zealand. It is lighter than Chardonnay and possesses herbal qualities in its flavor. Muscat is the last of the white wines, which is fitting as it is a stand alone type of wine. This wine is sweet and fruity with a musky aroma and is easily recognizable to most tasters.
Zinfandel is a versatile grape, taking part in wines from blush to a deep red color. The wine is only made in California. It is zesty and peppery with a berry flavor. Shiraz is grown in France, California, and Australia. The wine has a flavor and aroma of black-fruit, and results in deep, hearty red varieties. Merlot is a very soft red wine with cherry and herbal flavors. This makes a great starter wine for those new to wine tasting, as it is easy to drink. Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied. Young wines have rich currant qualities that change with age. Oak treatment alters the flavors more and introduces a vanilla flavor. Pinot Noir is fruity, fresh, and delicate. It is difficult to grow and rarely blended. Sangiovese is an Italian wine with berry and plum flavors and medium body. Barbera has similar qualities as Merlot. They are versatile with good acidity. Growth of Barbera is now widespread in California.
These wines are the building blocks for other varieties across the globe. When you familiarize yourself with the attributes of these grapes, you will better be able to identify similar traits in other varieties. The more you know about the basics, the better qualified you will be to judge and hold opinions at wine tasting events and in drinking your own wines. Despite the plethora of varieties of wine, you should eventually be able to determine the root of your wine in examining its characteristics in comparison to the basic wines. This is also a great way to determine which wines you will want to buy to taste. You know what flavors you like, so let this guide your selection.
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