Wine is an alcoholic beverage which is made from fermented grapes or other fruits and are categorized based on their flavour and color are there are about more than 200 types of wines based on the flavour, style and smell. Knowing the different types of wines is an art and it will enable you to know what wine is to be served at what temperatureand time of the day and accompanying what. Although earlier considered a taboo, people have started coming out of their ‘shells’ especially because of their knowledge about the difference between wines and “deshidaru”. After reading though this guide, you should be able to go and buy your first bottle of wine with a basic knowledge of the flavour and taste.
Fundamentals of a Wine
1. Sweetness: A wine can be either too sweet or less sweet. It’s measured in its dryness. It can also be medium-dry or off-dry which is just a hint of sweetness, but too faint to observe.
2. Acidity: Acidity is vital for white wines. It makes them refreshing and crisp.
3. Tannin:Tannins is for red wine as acidity is for white wines. High tannin wines are sharp and maybe even are bitter and inky. Lower tannin wines are smooth and soft, and more drinkable when compared to high tannin wines.
4. Body: This refers to the apparent “weight” and viscidness of the wine. A full-bodied wine is thick, coats the sides of the glass while a light-bodied wine is almost like water and a medium-bodied wine is in-between them.
5. Flavors:Stick to the most relatable flavors like fruity, earthy, spicy, smoky or flowery if you are not sure of the flavors.
Basic types flavors of the wine:
Basic Main Styles of Wine
All wines can be categorized into five major groups. Within each group there are numerous grape varieties and different wine-making styles.
1. Red Wine
Wine made with black grapes with their skin intact. These wines can range from light to dark and off-dry to sweet.
2. White Wine
Wine created from white, green and sometimes black grapes without their skin. Flavors span from rich and creamy to light, crisp and zesty. These are acidic wines and this is what makes them refreshing.
3. Rosé Wine
Wine made from black grapes by removing the skins before they extremely color the wine. They are also formed by combination of red and white wines. Both dry and sweet styles of rosé are preferred.
4. Sparkling Wine
Wine making that involves a secondary fermentation which causes bubbling. Sparkling wine can be red, white or rosé and can range from mineral to rich and sweet.
5. Fortified Wine
Wine-making that involves fortifying wine with spirits. Typically these are dessert wines, but many dry-style fortified wines also exist.
By: Archa Dave
