Experiencing Different Types of Wine
To begin an understanding of the many varieties you must first be aware of the major categories or types of wine. There are four major types of wine: red, white, rose, and sparkling.
Most sparkling wine used to be called champagne, but nowadays only champagne made in the Champagne region of France can be labeled champagne, the same style produced elsewhere is labeled sparkling. It is very important to understand the differences between these four types of wine, particularly because you want to be able to choose the right wine to complement a meal.
Typically if you are eating a lighter meal you will choose a wine with a more subtle flavor, so that it does not overshadow the food. On the other hand if you are eating a heavier or heartier meal you will select a stronger wine, most likely a robust red wine, so that it will complement the food and balance the meal.
Broadly speaking, white wines typically go best with seafood, chicken, turkey, and pork. Red wines are more ideal with red meat, such as beef, roasts and veal, duck, and pasta.
Experience Different Types of Wine
Always bear in mind, however, that no matter what the experts say, it is your taste preferences and that of your guests that is important. There is no value in serving a type of wine not enjoyed for the sake of correctness. If you prefer only white wines, use more robust styles where a red is recommended, conversely there are lighter flavored reds or rose styles as substitutes for whites.
Having said that, do not allow yourself to be trapped in a rut, especially one based on long held prejudices. Many people claim to dislike a type of wine based on opinions formed decades earlier, possibly on a single tasting experience of a poor wine example. You owe it to yourself to have some culinary courage and try some different varieties of the wine type you like least. Have an open mind; you could be pleasantly surprised and open up a whole new range of pleasant taste experiences,
Within the Various Types of Wine
Within each of the types of wine are the various wine styles which are generally based on a particular grape variety. There are various types of wine which are made and imported from all over the world, and in particular Californian wines have become increasingly popular over the years. This is really not a surprise, considering the growing conditions in and around the California area are pretty close to perfect.
There are many different wines produced in the California wine valleys, a few of the most well known and popular including chardonnay, French colombard, and sauvignon blanc. These are white wines but there are also many popular red wines produced by these regions as well, such as the cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, and zinfandel.
Cabernet sauvignon is definitely one of the most popular types of wine in the world. Often called ’Cab sav’, this is a robust red with typical chocolate and cherry flavors. It is often blended with other varieties such as merlot or shiraz, as well as others to provide a specific flavor sought by the winemaker. As it is a very rich and flavorsome wine, it is usually eaten with the heartiest of meals.
Sparkling wines (which include true Champagne) contain carbon dioxide, which is achieved during the fermentation process as these wines are generally fermented twice, once in an open container and then the second time in a sealed container. With Champagne, and similar sparkling wines which use this process, this second fermentation takes place in the bottle it will be sold in.
