Popular Wine Types
Blend:
A mixture of at least two different grapes where neither variety constitutes 75% or more of the wine.
Bordeaux:
A region of France associated with classical Cabernet Sauvignon that often includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec.
Burgundy:
The area of France known for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In North America, Burgundy is the term for any sort of hearty table wine blend
Claret:
Outdated British term for a dry red wine that has less color and body than most red wines- but is not a rosè.
Chianti:
An Italian wine made from Sangiovese. In North America, it has come to describe a fruity, easy drinking red wine.
Dry:
Wine that is fermented to where all of the sugar is converted to alcohol. Table wines are generally fermented dry.
Rosè or Blush:
A wine made from red grapes that are pressed before fermentation to give just the hint of red color. A Rosè may also be made from blending 3-4 parts white to 1 part red wine. Rosè wine may be made to any dryness, but are usually preferred as slightly sweet and refreshing.
Sparkling Wine:
An initially low alcohol, very dry wine that is reformatted with sugar to carbonate the beverage. Can be dry to sweet.
Sweet or Dessert Wines:
Wines that are sweet resulting from a predetermined termination of fermentation by adding alcohol to kill yeasts, or using a low-alcohol tolerant yeast strain. Dessert wines can also be made port-style by using very ripe grapes.
White:
Wines made by using white grapes fermented off the skins.