There are so many unnecessary wine “basics.”
Aroma, proper wine glasses and vintage, just to name a few. All that will (and needs) to be covered are the main types of wine. For starters, there are two main types of wine: red and white.
The four types of red wine are:
Shiraz/Syrah is basically the darkest/most alcoholic wine.
It is defined as full-bodied. Shiraz is there when you’re looking to get, well, drunk. However, shiraz is very flavorful, so only drink it if you’re in the mood to experiment. It might be fine to get at a restaurant, for example.Cabernet Sauvignon has a high alcohol percentage, but it goes down a lot smoother than shiraz. It also typically has a fruity taste to it, so it’s like the jungle juice of wine. Drink it with caution, as you’ll probably lose track of how much has been consumed and end up sobbing over Grey’s Anatomy.
Merlot & Pinot Noir, while different, exhibit many similar qualities. They have a bit more a berry taste as opposed to the oaken fruit of cabernet and shiraz. Because of this, they are typically lighter in color and more crowd pleasing. Bring it to girls’ night to ease into a gossip fest (or a Gossip Girl marathon).
Now for the whites. Let’s match the four white to the four red:
Chardonnay is the shiraz of white wine. It’s the most “white” in that it is the driest, aka not sweet. It has more alcohol than other types of whites. It’s great for a fall day at 5 p.m.
Sauvignon Blanc, like its cabernet partner, is as crisp as chardonnay, but it goes down smoother because of the higher fruit taste.
It’s perfect for drinking with your parents because it tastes good without as much alcohol as a red wine.Fruity Riesling & Pinot Grigio are, once again, similar. They are both much sweeter and lighter than other whites. Like merlot and pinot noir, they still exhibit characteristics of their wine type without being so harsh to the taste buds. We recommend trying one of these wines with spicy food.
When you’re out shopping, keep these types of wine in mind. It becomes easier to learn more about wine once you know these basics. It will allow you to find food pairs, as well as discover the types of wines you like. Happy drinking!
(Feature Photo via We Heart It)