When confronted with the sheer variety of wine in stores or on restaurant lists, choosing the right bottle can be an overwhelming experience.
A few basic guidelines to help you select a bottle that suits your personal preferences can go a long way.
That’s why Dune Wines has compiled a list of the seven most common wine types with a brief description of the flavor profile for each.
1. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world. This full-bodied white wine is made from green-skinned chardonnay grapes that grow in almost every major wine region on the continent.
Although the grapes tend to be neutral in flavor, they easily take on other characteristics depending on where they are grown and how they are matured. People love chardonnay because it is easy-to-sip and has low acidity.
Chardonnay can have aromas of tropical fruit, butter, and citrus – which makes it a perfect pairing for scallops or lobster in a cream sauce.
2. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a light-bodied white wine that usually has subtle scents of grapefruit, herbs, or asparagus. It is one of the most popular white wines in the world.
The flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc stands out due to its pronounced fruitiness, but the flavor varies in intensity depending on where the grapes are grown.
Its clean, acidic flavors complement light meals like green vegetables, chicken, pork, and fish with herbs.
3. Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio – also known as Pinot Gris – is a light to medium-bodied white wine. Pinot Grigio’s aromas are typically reminiscent of honeysuckle, peach, citrus, and apple. This wine is usually crisp, dry, and light on the palate.
Pinot Grigio’s zingy acidity and pleasant mineral base notes are best paired with dishes with scallops, fresh vegetables, or a cheese platter.
4. Merlot
Merlot grapes are grown throughout South America, Europe, Africa, and the United States. They produce a medium to full-bodied red wine that’s “juicer” and “softer” than Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s available in most parts of the world.
Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, and it pairs best with charcuterie boards, meat dishes, and roasted vegetables.
5. Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold red wine that’s usually medium to full-bodied. It usually has the aromas of blackberry, plum, leather, cinnamon, and black pepper. Due to this wine’s abundant tannins, it is quite dry.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted wine grape in the world, and it grows in almost any region.
Cabernet Sauvignon is best paired with red meat dishes like steak, braised short ribs, or even hamburgers.
6. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine. It isn’t typically challenging or bold, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a “starter wine.”
Pinot Noir is usually from Burgundy, but it is also made in Oregon, New Zealand, or even Germany. Pinot Noir grapes are notoriously difficult to grow in less than optimal conditions, which means that this wine can be on the pricier side.
Pinot Noir red wine is usually earthy, with subtle sweet and sour notes of cherry and raspberry. It is best paired with rich ingredients – such as mushrooms, pork, chicken, rabbit, venison, and duck.
7. Rosé
Although many people think that rosé wines are made by combining red and white wines, this is a misconception. Instead, rosés are made by removing the skins from red grapes shortly after they are processed.
The process of leaving the skins on the grapes for only a short period results in a light, refreshing wine that’s a pale shade of pink.
Photo Credits
Wine image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Charcuterie image by matticasco from Pixabay
Guest Author Bio
John Moran
John Moran is an American who enjoys the fine art of living well. His interests include anything wine, food or nature related especially when enjoyed with friends and family.
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