Whether it’s to celebrate big occasions or to accompany dinner any day of the week, a wine is always present and part of the situation with its aroma, taste and even texture. Wine is a beverage obtained from grape must.
The must is a juice that includes all parts of the grape, such as seeds and skin. The type of grape and the difference in the processes, define what kind of wine will result.. This variety is sometimes confusing, so we list here the most popular types of wine.
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The types of red, white and rosé wine.
It is well known that a red wine is not the same as a white or rosé wine.. But in addition to this clear categorization, there are several types of wine within each one. Their particular characteristics make each of them ideal for pairing with different foods.
Most of the world’s wine production is found in Italy, France and Spain, since the cultivation of vines is favored by the climate of this southern European region. However, there are some other countries that have also excelled with one or more types of wine. Here is a list with the types of red, white and rosé wines.
Red wines
Red wine is made from the must of red grapes.. Hence the intensity of its color. Part of the process is the aging time left in the barrel, and this process defines the type of red wine that results.
There are red wines, crianzas, reserves or grand reserves. The aging time and the type of barrel are undoubtedly what make the difference between one and the other, and from there we can list the different types of red wines.
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best known wines in the world.. The grape variety with which it is made is cultivated in almost any region. It is a wine with a high level of tannins and alcohol. Ideal for pairing with meats and non-spicy dishes.
2. Merlot
Merlot wine is characterized by its intense ruby color.. It is distinguished for being fine and smooth without losing its fleshy and aromatic touch. It ages quickly without losing quality. It is recognized by its soft aromas of cherries, plums and herbal notes.
3. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir has a flavor and texture that make it different from any other type of wine.. It is characterized by very soft tannins with an aroma and soft notes of leather, damp earth and tea leaf. Pairing it with Japanese food, salmon or lamb is undoubtedly the best idea.
4. Malbec
Malbec is a type of wine with a high tannin content.. This wine is made from purple grapes, which gives it a warm and smooth taste. Flavors of plum, dried fruits and vanilla can be appreciated. Malbec is an ideal wine for pairing with red meats.
5. Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a medium-bodied wine.. This wine is produced very well in California, however it comes from Tuscany in Italy and its flavor and texture combines very well with Italian food.
White wines
White wine can actually have a light yellow, greenish or golden color.. This type of wine is produced from the well-known white grapes that actually have a green or yellow tone.
The fermentation process for white wine is made from the pulp of the white grape and the different processes, the amount of vines and the aging are what define the sub categories of white wines that can be found in the market.
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon blanc originates from France.. However, Australia has stood out for the production of a high quality sauvignon blanc. It is a type of wine with a spicy tone and has an incomparable flavor no matter how old or young it is.
2. Chenin blanc
The grape used to produce chenin blanc gives a flavor that ranges from dry to sweet.. It is a very acidic wine, so its pairing is ideal with spicy dishes and seafood. Undoubtedly this type of wine is ideal for expert palates.
3. Chardonnay
The chardonnay grape that gives origin to this wine comes from Burgundy, France.. Its green skin gives Chardonnay white wine its characteristic color. It is perhaps one of the most popular in the world and its flavor is citric and fruity.
4. Riesling
Riesling is a type of wine that goes very well with white meats.. This grape variety results in a very sweet and light wine compared to other white wines. It is produced in many countries throughout the world such as Chile, Italy and South Africa.
5. Pinot gris
Pinot gris wine has a variety of colors ranging from white to gold.. This type of wine varies greatly depending on the region where the grapes are grown. They are made to be consumed young, although an aged pinot gris can also give a great body and flavor.
Rosé wines
Rosé wines have the typical color of red wine but much softer.This gives it its characteristic pinkish tone that can range from very light to an intense violet. It all depends on the grapes used and the fermentation and barrel storage technique.
Although it has been related to low quality wines, this is not necessarily so, since its production process is even very similar to white wine but with different grape varieties.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo wine is produced from the grape of the same name.. Its production is very common in Spain. It is a type of wine with low acidity and low sugar content. Although they can be consumed young, the aged ones age for years in oak barrels.
2. Grenache
One of the most popular rosé wines are the Garnacha wines.. Although the Grenache grape is widely used as a blending component to add sweetness to red wine, it also produces a rosé wine with a high tannin content.
3. Syrah
The syrah rosé wine is full-bodied and full-flavored.. The syrah grape from which this wine is produced is descended from the dark grapes of southeastern France. It is undoubtedly a wine that is best enjoyed aged in the bottle.
4. Carignan
Cariñena or mazuela is a grape from which this typical rosé wine is produced.. It is a grape with a high level of acidity so its production can be very complicated. It requires a lot of skill to obtain a fine and elegant Carignan wine.
5. Cabernet Sauvignon
Although cabernet sauvignon is most commonly used in red wines, it also produces rosé wines.s. Cabernet Sauvignon rosé wines are very fruity. The taste of blueberry, raspberry and bell pepper stand out. It has a very balanced acidity level.