| There are various types of wines normally | | | | fermentation process resulting in the pale color. |
| distinguished by the variety of grape or the area | | | | The removal of the skins also results in less tannin |
| where the grape is grown. The more well known | | | | than found in red wines. |
| grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, | | | | Rose: these use red grapes for fermentation; |
| Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, and | | | | however, unlike in red wines, the grape skins are |
| Chardonnay. The number of grape types is | | | | peeled off shortly after the start of the |
| matched only by the number of regions where | | | | fermentation. The result is that a rose has a |
| these grapes are grown. For instance, France | | | | pinkish color, and only a limited amount of the |
| boasts of 14 regions including Champagne, | | | | tannin. It also has a lower alcohol content than the |
| Bordeaux, and Savoie which produce | | | | red wine. |
| world-renowned wines. | | | | Fortified: also known as dessert or liqueur wine, |
| Knowing which wine comes from which grape | | | | has the most alcohol content of any type of wine. |
| variety and country, let alone knowing the | | | | Extra alcohol is added which can result in an |
| characteristics and quality of the wine from a | | | | alcohol content of over 14%. |
| particular region and grape variety, can be a | | | | Sparkling wine: can be easily distinguished from |
| daunting task. Therefore, it is easier to break | | | | other types of wine because of its white, bubbly |
| down wines into five basic categories: | | | | appearance. These are popularized by |
| Red: red wines come from grape varieties in | | | | Champagne, from the well-known region of the |
| which the color ranges from red to purple. The | | | | same name in France. However, the term |
| grapes are fermented with their skin intact, which | | | | Champagne can be used only if the sparkling wine |
| gives the dark color of the wine. Reds age better | | | | is produced from the Champagne region. |
| than other types of wine because of tannin | | | | Part of the enjoyment of wine is the study of |
| present in the skin of grapes. Tannin also gives a | | | | the different characteristics of the individual wines. |
| flavor dimension as well as giving structure and | | | | If you enjoy wines why not keep a diary of the |
| texture to the wine. | | | | ones you taste and note their distinguishing |
| White: the grape varieties used for white wines | | | | characteristics. Today it is easier than ever to do |
| usually have a light color, but darker grape | | | | this with the many wine software programs |
| varieties may also be used. Unlike red wines, | | | | available for your computer. |
| grape skins are peeled off before the | | | | |