The Types of Wine and Their Differences

Wines are normally classified either by the type of grape from which they are produced or from the region where they were produced. In years past, wines produced in France, Italy and Spain took their names from the region where they were produced while wines that originated in the United States, Australia and Germany were named for their grape variety. In more recent years, this practice has begun to change. Wine is known as a lavish beverage among some countries or a beverage that is necessary in every meal.

Wines are further classified by their vintage, meaning the year in which the grapes were harvested. Generally, the taste of classic vintage wines improves with age and therefore they are bottled with the purpose of being enjoyed several years down the road. These types of wines will normally carry the year of the vintage on the label. Other types of wines are best when drunk immediately and do not contain a vintage year as part of their classification. Wines may also be classified as either a varietal or a blend. Varietal wines must be made with at least 75% of the grape for which that wine is named. Blended wines are produced from two or more varieties of grapes.

One of the most popular ways of classifying wines is by the vinification method that was used to produce the wine. For example, a wine may be referred to as still, fortified, blush, sparkling or rose. Red wine is produced using the darkest red grapes to produce the deep color for which this wine is associated. Burgundy is to describe a type of dry, full-bodied, dark colored red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most well known red wines. Claret or Bordeaux are also examples of red wine in which there is a good bouquet and fruit flavor. There may also be a slightly sweet taste. Zinfandel and Chianti are both examples of this type of wine.

Surprisingly, white wine may be produced using any color grape so long as the skin is separated from the wine to prevent color seeping into the wine during fermentation; although, white wines are normally produced from white grapes. With this type of wine, the grapes are harvested, crushed and immediately pressed; unlike other types of wine in which the grapes may be allowed to ferment on the skin. White wines may be either sweet or dry; depending on the process used.

Blush wines, with their famous pale pink color, are produced using a white wine from a dark red grape. Rose wines are produced in a similar manner. These types of wine may either be dry or sweet depending on the fermentation process used and whether or not there was any sugar added. Sparkling wines are produced from either a red, white or blush wine with carbon dioxide to create the 'bubbly' effect. The term champagne is commonly used to refer to sparkling wines as well as the process by which the wine is produced.

Fortified wines, liqueur wines and dessert wines are produced using a process that creates a wine with more than 14% alcohol and a sweeter taste. Port, sherry, Marsala, Madeira, vermouth and ice wine are common examples of these categories of wine. Still wine, also commonly referred to as table wine, is produced using a process by which the carbon dioxide is allowed to escape during the fermentation process. Wine is another excellent beverage to enjoy for your dinner meal.