Did you know that there are over 1,300 varieties of commercial wine grapes, with only about 150 varieties used in wine produced around the world? Identifying specific grape varieties may prove to be a challenging and time-consuming task.
However, wines can be categorized into nine fundamental styles that define their taste, density, and features. These categories represent the diverse spectrum of wine flavors. Beginning with one of these foundational styles can serve as a gateway to exploring a wider array of similar tastes and types.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wines are described as light and bubbly. While many sparkling wines are sweet, the brut varieties are not. Varieties include:
- Champagne
- Spumante
- Rosé
Within the style of sparkling wine are four different flavor categories that include:
- Dry and zesty
- Dry, fruity and floral
- Sweet and aromatic
- Creamy and nutty
Flavors you may experience with sparkling wines include fruit, flowers, nuts and even bread and yeast. The flavors of each wine are dependent upon the types of grapes used and the fermentation and aging processes. Sparkling wines pair well with salty foods, salads, seafood such as fish and oysters, and chili. Sparkling wines are best served ice-cold. Explore our sparkling wines.
Light-Bodied White Wine
These wines are described as light and zesty. They are popular because they’re refreshing, easy to drink and pair well with most foods. Varieties include:
- Sweet Riesling
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, acidic, fruity flavors are usually experienced in light-bodied white wines, which pair well with seafood, fried foods, salads and chicken or other poultry. Light-bodied white wines are best served cold. Explore all of our white wines or view our white wines by sweet, semi-dry, or dry if you know which you prefer..
Full-Bodied White Wine
The flavors of these wines are described as smooth and creamy, due to special techniques such as barrel aging. Red wine fans enjoy this style of white wine since there are many flavor similarities. Varieties include:
- Dry Chardonnay
- Grüner Veltliner
- Albariño
Flavors that may be encountered in full-bodied white wines include coconut and vanilla. This style of wine pairs well with shellfish such as crab and lobster, rich cream sauces, poultry and soft cheeses. Full-bodied white wines are best served cool. Explore all of our white wines or view our white wines by sweet, semi-dry, or dry if you know which you prefer.
Sweet White Wine
These wines are described as sweet and aromatic with both sweet and dry varieties available. The grapes used for this style of wine have a perfume-like flavor that gives the wine its inherent sweetness. Varieties include:
- Moscato
- Riesling
Flavors that may be encountered in sweet white wines include fruity and floral notes. They pair well with Indian and Thai cuisine, cream sauces, dishes containing citrus, dessert foods and strong cheeses. Sweet white wines are best served cold. Explore our sweet white wines.
Rosé Wine
This style of wine gets its rosy color from the skins of red wine grapes. It is described as fruity and crisp and is available in both dry and sweet varieties. The delicate flavors of rosé are more fully experienced in the dry variety. Rosé is a diverse wine that bridges the span between red and white wine. Varieties include:
- Grenache
- Syrah
- White Zinfandel
Flavors you may experience in rosé wines include red and citrus fruits, flowers, melon and rhubarb. They pair well with Mexican, Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisine, fried chicken, roast pork and foods containing exotic spices. Rosés are best served at cool room temperature. Explore our rosé wines.
Light-Bodied Red Wine
This style of red wine is described as pale in color and light-tasting. These wines are very popular and desired around the world since they combine the complex flavors of red wine without the high, sharp-tasting tannin content. Varieties include:
- Pinot Noir
- Cinsault
Flavors you may encounter in light-bodied red wines include those of red fruits. They pair well with creamy foods, chicken and other poultry. Light-bodied red wines are best served at cool room temperature. Explore all of our red wines or view our red wines by sweet, semi-dry, or dry if you know which you prefer.
Medium-Bodied Red Wine
This wine style is very popular since it pairs well with many types of foods. It can be described as zesty and flavorful. This style of red wine is an easy-drinking wine for enjoying with dinner. Varieties include:
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Marquette
- Chambourcin
- Petite Pearl
Flavors that may be experienced with medium-bodied red wines vary greatly like the regions in which their grapes are grown and can include those of both dark and soft fruit. These wines pair well with a wide variety of foods including Italian cuisine, hamburgers, hearty soups, roasted meats and foods with strong spices. Medium-bodied red wines are best served at room temperature. Explore all of our red wines or view our red wines by sweet, semi-dry, or dry if you know which you prefer.
Full-Bodied Red Wine
This style of red wine contains the most tannins and is a deep and dark color. Their flavor is described as sharp and bold. These wines pair well with high-fat foods such as steak, but they are also delightful by themselves. Full-bodied red wines are known for cleansing the palate, which makes them a great cocktail wine. Varieties include:
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Flavors you may experience in full-bodied red wines include rich, dark fruit flavors. They pair well with barbecued, smoked and red meats, along with Mexican food and dishes containing black pepper. Full-bodied red wines are best served at room temperature. Explore all of our red wines or view our red wines by sweet, semi-dry, or dry if you know which you prefer.
Dessert Wine
This style of wine, made from sweet grapes, is usually intense and flavorful. These wines are frequently enjoyed as after dinner drinks, as their sweetness and viscosity liken them to a dessert treat. Dessert wines are available in both dry and sweet. Varieties include:
- Port
- Sherry
- Madeira
Dessert wines are available in several different types including sparkling, slightly or richly sweet and also fortified. Many different flavors may be encountered in dessert wines including those of figs, raisins, florals, fruits, nuts, yeast, ginger, honey and even brown sugar. The different types of dessert wines pair nicely with certain foods such as strong cheeses and dessert foods, and they are also frequently enjoyed by themselves. The serving temperature of dessert wines varies according to the variety. Explore our dessert wines.
Ready to learn more about the styles of wine while having a fun and interactive experience at the same time? Stop by one of our tasting rooms and one of our wine consultants can help you as you learn more and start to tailor your wine preferences. They can even help you pick out a bottle or two for you to take home so you can continue to taste the many wines there are to explore!
