Types of Wine: Pick Your Grape

I will admit that I'm rather picky. I will only eatDessert Wines are wines that range between
certain kinds of food, rarely ingesting dishesmedium sweet to extremely sweet on the
entitled with words I can't pronounce or made upspectrum of sugar. They typically include wines
of animals I think are cute. And, I will only datesuch as Port Wine, Tokay, and Sweet Sherry.
certain types of men, limiting myself to thoseAside from baked goods and fruity creations,
who are good looking, charming, successful, or, atdessert wines also go very well with many types
the very least, breathing. But, my pickinessof cheese.
doesn't stop there. Transcending many categories,Red Wine and White Wine: It may seem like Red
I tend to be picky when it comes to everythingWine and White Wine are always in competition
from what kind of clothes I wear to what kind ofwith each other, with bottles of each snapping in
soap I use. However, oddly enough, when itunison as the other approaches. But, the truth is
comes to wine, my pickiness subsides: I've neverthat Red Wine and White Wine are so different in
met a type of wine I didn't like or wouldn't drink.flavor, and go best with such different dishes,
Despite my willingness to form a loving relationshipthat the two don't need to compete. While Red
with any type of wine that seeps into my life,Wines are typically good at enhancing meals made
you may not be as much as a booze flooze asof red meat or tomato sauce, White Wines are
myself: some of you may prefer certain typestypically good at enhancing meals made of white
over others. Because of this, it's important tomeat or white sauces. They are also different in
understand the different types of wine that exist:taste because Red Wines are made with grape
the more aware you are of all the varieties, theskins during the fermentation process, causing
more likely you will find a wine you really like.them to carry "tannin," a sensation you get that
However, I can't discuss all the types of wine -makes your tongue feel as though liquid is
listing each vintage and flavor and mentioningevaporating off of it. White Wines, however, are
every grape under the sun. Doing so would takemade without grape skin and never carry "tannin."
forever and by the time I finished, I, myself,Rose Wine: Rose Wines are also called "Pink
would start to ferment. But, I can provide anWines" and, because they are often refreshing in
overview to help you, the loyal drinker, findmid-summer heat, "Summer Wines." Like a
something to quench your thirst, a type of winebeverage that can't quite make up its mind, Rose
you'll want to invite over to fill your glass atWines aren't really red and aren't really white.
dinner.Instead, they possess attributes of both true red
Apéritif: Known as appetizer wines, thesewines and true white wines. They are often best
are the chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks ofserved with seafood, salad, cold cuts, and pork.
the wine world. They are flavored wines typicallyRice Wine: Just like Barely Wine, Rice Wine is a bit
meant to stimulate the appetite before eating aof an imposter, an ale that wishes it was a wine.
large meal. They can include sherry, and Madeira.Made from rice instead of grapes, Rice Wine
Barley Wine: Though in possession of the wordpossesses a higher alcohol content than most
"wine," Barley Wine isn't really wine, masqueradingbeer and wines combined weighing in between 18
as such because of a high alcohol content thatand 25 percent. Rice Wine is known as Sake to
reaches up to 12 percent by volume. Made fromthe Japanese.
grain instead of fruit, Barley Wine is simply strongSparkling Wines: Probably the most famous
beer, like an ale that regularly works out. While itmember of the Sparkling Wine family is
originated in England, Barley Wine is available worldChampagne, a drink that routinely fills the glasses
wide. However, when sold in the US, Barley Winesat wedding receptions and banquet halls. But,
are required to be sold with the label, "barelyChampagne can't hog all the sparkling spotlight,
wine-style ales," thus avoiding confusion for theSparkling Wines can be any type of wine infused
wine-seeking consumer.with Carbon Dioxide. Because Sparkling Wines do
Cooking Wines: Wine of extremely poor quality isnot usually pair well with meals, they are best
usually labeled "Cooking Wine," as if being pouredserved alone or with appetizers.
into a pan is one step up from being poured downTable Wine: Table Wine is wine that is not fortified
the drain. Typically containing a large amount ofand not sparkling, making it erroneously seem like
salt, Cooking Wine isn't made to be consumed bythe most plain of wines. By technical definition,
itself. Instead, it is meant to be used as a way toTable Wines contain at least 7 percent alcohol and
enhance a dish, bringing out certain flavors andno more than 14 percent. While many people
seasonings.equate Table Wine with poor tasting, cheap wine,
Country Wine: It may seem like Country Winesmany Table Wines aren't cheap, and certainly
are wines in possession of a laidback lifestyle anddon't taste like it either.
a southern drawl. But, in actuality, they are simplyWhether your favorite type of wine is Red or
wines that are made from a fruit other than ayou, having misplaced your salt lick, actually do like
grape and supplemented with sugar and honey.to consume Cooking Wine, wine has a variety of
However, because the word "wine" legallyflavors. This makes it one of the most versatile
insinuates a drink made from grapes, Countryalcohols, possessing the ability to adapt to
Wines are often fruit-specific in their definitions.everything from cocktail hours to State dinners
They include types such as "plum wine" and "appleand enabling you, no matter your type or your
wine."level of pickiness, to always find something with
Dessert Wines: Known for being served beside awhich to fill your glass.
piece of carrot cake or a slice of apple pie,