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Wine, one of the oldest and most diverse beverages in the world, comes in a myriad of styles and flavours, catering to a wide range of tastes and occasions. The diversity in wine arises from the different types of grapes, regions of production, and winemaking processes.
1. Red Wines.
Made from black grape varieties, red wines are fermented with the grape skins, seeds, and stems, which impart colour, tannins, and a complex flavour profile. Popular red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah (Shiraz).
2. White Wines.
Produced from white grapes, and sometimes from black grapes with the skins removed. White wines are known for their lighter body, crisp acidity, and fruity and floral notes. Common varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio.
3. Rosé Wines.
Rosé can be made from a wide variety of grapes and is characterised by its pink colour, which it gets from a short period of contact with grape skins. Rosé wines strike a balance between red and white wine flavours, offering a range of dry to sweet profiles. They are perfect for spring and summer sipping.
4. Sparkling Wines.
Produced with secondary fermentation that traps carbon dioxide and creates bubbles, sparkling wines range from sweet to dry. Champagne, from the Champagne region of France, is the most famous, but other notable sparkling wines include Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain.
5. Dessert Wines.
Sweeter wines typically served with or as dessert. This category includes intensely flavourful and sweet wines like Port, Sherry, and Sauternes. The sweetness can be natural, or the wine can be fortified with spirits.
6. Fortified Wines.
These wines have spirits added to them, usually brandy, either during or after fermentation, increasing their alcohol content and altering their taste profile. Examples include Port, Sherry, Madeira, and Marsala.
7. Orange Wines.
Made by leaving the white grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice during fermentation, orange wines have a distinct colour ranging from deep amber to orange. They offer a robust flavour profile and tannic structure more reminiscent of red wines.
Each type of wine offers a unique experience, influenced by its grape varietal, terroir (the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown), and winemaking technique. The world of wine is vast and varied, inviting exploration and discovery with every glass.
Originally published at: GoSwifties.com
