Types of Wine

So you want to learn about the different types of wine but you don't know where to begin?

Well you've come to the right place. I started this website to teach people the basics of wine without making them feel inferior.

I too was once a newbie in the world of wine and I hated it when wine 'experts' would act all snobby and condescending everytime I asked a simple question. You'd think they were born with all of their knowledge on the types of wine.

But everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm glad you are starting here. Please read on and I will give you the knowledge you need to confidently pick out, taste, and discuss many different types of wine.
The Main Wine Types
12 Pack Wine Sampler

There are so many different types of wine. Stroll down the aisle of a good size liquor store and you will see hundreds, perhaps thousands of different bottles of wine.

You may be surprised to learn that each of those wine bottles on the shelf can be categorized into one of 5 basic wine types:
Red Wine - It's reddish color comes from leaving the grape skins in during the fermentation process. Generally heavier than white wines, reds also have more tannin, which is a natural substance found in grape skins that contributes to the flavor of the wine. learn more...

White Wine - Almost every white wine is made with white grapes, though it is possible to make white wine using red grapes. This is because when white wine is made, the juice is separated from the skins before the fermentation process. The juice does not absorb the color of the skins. For the same reason, white wine has much less tannin than red. learn more...

Rosé Wine - Rosé wines are made with red grapes, but are only allowed to stay in contact with the grape skins for a short time. This allows it to keep only some of the reddish color (and only some of the tannin).

Rosé wines are sometimes called blush wines. Sometimes they are even called white despite the obvious pink color. White Zinfandel is a rose wine, not a white.

Fortified wine - Also called dessert wines or liqueur wines, this type of wine has been "fortified" with extra alcohol. The Alcohol content of these wines will be over 14%.

Fortified wines are not generally served with a meal. These types of wines are often served after retiring from the dinner table. Some examples of fortified wines are Port, Sherry, and Madeira.

Sparkling wine and Champagne
Sparkling wine is easy to distinguish from table wine because it has bubbles. The process of making sparkling wine can take months, even years.

Sparkling wine is popular worldwide and is produced in all of the major winemaking regions. Perhaps you have heard of the most famous sparkling wine...maybe the most famous of any type of wine...

It's called Champagne!