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Understanding the Types of Wine
from: Maxx Guide to WineAn important question beginning wine makers have to answer before making their first batch is what type of wine to make. Sine there are so many different types of wines you can choose, understanding their differences will help you reduce the choices so you can select the type of wine best to your personal taste and preference.
Wine is most often made from grapes, but you can use almost any type of vegetable matter if you want to. When using grapes, your wine will fall into one of three categories: red, white and rose, which is a pinkish white wine.
Red wines are both different in color from white wines and rose wines plus their flavor is stronger and richer. The exact color of a red wine will vary from russet brown to full red to a dark purple. The skin of the grapes gives red wines their color.
White wines usually have a more delicate flavor. The color of white wines also varies from pale yellow to a deep gold. Some white wines even have a pale green color.
Rose wines, or blush wines, are made with the same grapes used for red wines, however, they're submitted to a much shorter period of contact with the skin of the grapes, resulting in a delicate blush color.
There are several different types of popular white wines. Chardonnay is very popular along with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a very popular red wine. Other popular reds include Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
As a wine maker, you'll need to understand the sugar content of wine. Wines with less sugar will be drier. Wines are classified in the stores as 1-3. The higher numbered wines have more sugar making them sweeter.
Now, on to the differences between various types of wines and how they're typically served.
Apefitif wines are commonly served prior to a meal and produced in either herbed or non-herbed varieties. These wines are consumed to stimulate the appetite, however, they aren't usually served with meals.
Table wine is served with dinner. This type of wine is often a dry wine and for a very specific purpose. It's meant to compliment the food rather than compete with it.
White wines are typically served with white meat, while red wines are served with red meat. The reasoning is that white wine flavors tend to be subtle in a similar fashion as the flavors of white meats.
Red meats have a stronger flavor and do well with red wines, which are also stronger. A rose wine has more flexibility. If the wine in question is somewhat dry, it can be served with either red or white meat.
Dessert wines, of course, are served as dessert since they've usually quite sweet. If a dessert wines is served at any other time, its sweetness may seem a bit overwhelming.
After-dinner wines are also sweet, however, they tend to be served, of course, after dinner. While after-dinner wines may be spirits, they may also be wines that are fermented. In addition, Brandy, Sherry, Port and other Liqueurs fall into this category.
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