Types Of Wine - A Beginner's Guide

A Cultural Connoisseur Knows Types Of Winewine or a dessert wine. Popular sparkling wines
Have you ever gone to a fancy Frenchinclude: Blanc de Noir, Champagne, Blanc de Blanc,
restaurant and been utterly confused by the backand Spumante.
of the menu? If so, you're not alone. The back ofThere are even wines designated for dessert!
the menu is where the wine list is, and sometimesThey range in flavor from being very sweet to
it is so extensive that it is found on a completelymedium sweet. Port wine, sweet sherry, Tokaji,
separate menu! There are many different typesSauternes and muscatel are all common dessert
of wine, and each is intended to be paired with awines. However, just because a wine falls within
specific type of food. You don't have to be athis category does not mean it is only served
wine expert to function at fancy restaurants likewith desserts, merely that it is most commonly
these-all you need to do is become aware of theserved with desserts.
basic different types of wine. This knowledge willOther Classification Methods
serve you time and time again in the world ofIt is possible to classify types of wine using
food culture.methods other than by the course they are
A Wine For Every Aspect Of The Mealassociated with. Some choose to categorize wine
Though there are many different ways in whichby vinification method, quality, vintage, taste, or
the types of wine can be classified, one of thewine style. There is no set rule for classifying
most common ways is by the portion of thedifferent types of wine.
meal with which it was intended to be served.A Perfect Match
This method of categorization is a no-brainer andAfter narrowing down which wines go with a
ensures that you will be able to pick a type ofspecific course, the next step is being able to
wine for every occasion.narrow down the list of wines so that you can
Apéritifs are also known as appetizerpick the type of wine that would best go with a
wines, and they are made to be consumed priorspecific meal. This is difficult for many people to
to a meal. Appetizer wines typically containdo, and most rely on the waiter's
anywhere from 14 to 20% alcohol, making themrecommendation.
richer and sweeter than wines that were made toWhen pairing wines with food, it is important to
go along with the main course. Types of winekeep a few factors in mind. The first key thing to
usually classified under this category include:remember is that white wine goes well with white
Vermouth, dry sherry, and Madeira. Any flavoredmeat, while red wine goes well with red meat.
wine can usually be found in this group.Also, salty and sour foods go best with acidic
Main dish wines are typically either white wines orwines, while bitter wines and bitter foods go well
red wines. Though both work well with maintogether. Sweet wines and sweet foods go hand
courses, each works better with different dishes.in hand, while delicate food and delicate wines pair
Typically, white wines go best with fowl, whiteup just nicely. Finally, pair medium-bodied wines
meats, and sea food. They can range from beingwith medium flavors. Much of wine pairing is
very sweet to somewhat dry, and are bestsimply common sense!
served chilled.A Capable Connoisseur
Red wines, on the other hand, are always fairlyNext time you go to a fancy restaurant, you
dry and are best served with spaghetti, redwon't have to spend a long time looking confused
meats, and any food that is strongly seasoned.at the long list of wine types, or ask the
Both red wines and white wines typically containmaître d' for assistance. With your
10-14% alcohol, as they are served with the mainnewfound knowledge of the many different types
course and meant to have a lighter taste.of wine, which courses they are associated with,
For formal occasions, it is common for sparklingand which meals they pair best with, you are on
wines to be served. These types of wines areyour way to becoming a wine expert.
sweet and best served as either an appetizer