| If you are thinking of entertaining in your home, | | | | Many countries now allow for wines to be named |
| having dinner parties, or you just want to have a | | | | in this manner though it is still helpful to know |
| bit of knowledge for that next romantic dinner | | | | about the local variations and local laws. For |
| here are some descriptions for you of different | | | | example, in California a wine need only consist of |
| classifications of wine and why they are named | | | | 75% of a certain grape to be able to use that |
| the way they are. | | | | name while in France it must contain 100% of |
| There are many different types of wines which | | | | that specific type of grape. The countries in the |
| can lead to some confusion on which to choose | | | | "New World" tend to be more relaxed with their |
| for a particular meal or occasion. The information | | | | regulations and also will label their better wines |
| offered here should help clear things up a little. | | | | with these varietal names while the "Old World" |
| In many cases wines will be named for the place | | | | European countries tend to use this for their |
| where they are made such as Champagne while | | | | everyday table wines like Merlot and Cabernet |
| others are named for the grapes the wines are | | | | Sauvignon. |
| made from like Chardonnay or Merlot. Some get | | | | The generic wines are the last and are more |
| their name from other better known vineyards | | | | common in the United States than other countries |
| which are slightly similar such as Chablis and | | | | and for reasons explained above are virtually |
| Burgundy. How a wine comes by its name is also | | | | unseen in Europe. These wines have no regulatory |
| influenced by local laws and traditions especially in | | | | labeling and no content or place of origin |
| Europe. | | | | requirements so an American wine that is a |
| Below are the three main categories: | | | | sparkling wine may be called Champagne even |
| Regional Wines come first. These wines are | | | | though it is nowhere near the quality of the wine |
| primarily European and have a long history of | | | | of that name coming from the Champagne region |
| distinctive wine making governed by strict | | | | of France. Some other examples of this are |
| regulations that determine which grapes to use | | | | Chablis, Burgundy, and Port. This generic naming |
| for a particular wine and location. These laws and | | | | can be confusing for the uninformed; the best |
| rules come from hundreds of years of experience | | | | advice is to go with the French made or other |
| using different grapes and fermentation methods | | | | European wine where you are assured of the |
| which have resulted in knowledge of what will | | | | higher quality. |
| work best for a specific location. Almost all | | | | Hopefully the information we have shared with |
| French, Italian, and Portuguese wines are classed | | | | you here will be helpful to you. One other quick tip |
| in this category with regional names such as | | | | I will share with you is to remember this where |
| Bordeaux, Chianti, and Burgundy. | | | | meals are concerned; for red meats choose a red |
| Variety wines or varietals are next, so named | | | | wine and for fish and poultry go with a white. |
| from the grapes from which they are derived. | | | | |