Types of Wine

An Introduction To Various Wine Styles

There are many types of wine or wine styles which are produced throughout the world. While most people know the difference between basic red and white wine types, the other various styles can get a bit confusing. This section is meant to be an introduction to wine types you may encounter. Where applicable, we will include information about how the wine styles are produced differently and their unique characteristics in terms of aroma, flavor and food pairing. Although they are all wine, the character of wines can vary tremendously, from light and simple to big, deep dark and intense, bubble to still, dry to sweet, and many more! So grab a glass of wine and read on!

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Types of Wine:

Dry Wines

Often called "table wines", dry wines are the most common wine style which are produced in hundreds of regions around the world.

• Dry White Wine
• Rosé Wine
• Dry Red Wine

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Sparkling Wines

While Champagne is the most famous, many regions produce sparkling wines which have any where from a small amount to intense effervescence (bubbles). While most are white, some are pink (Ros&eacte;) and some are even red!

• Champagne
• Rosé Champagne
• Prosecco
• Sparkling Red Wine
• Other Sparkling Wine

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Sweet Wine or Dessert Wine

Some wines are produced with residual sugar in the finished wine, giving the wine a sweet taste. These can vary from only off-dry to super, sticky sweet. The most sweet are often considered dessert wines as they are often served after a meal.

• Sweet White Wine
  • Botrytis (Noble Rot)
  • Ice Wine (Eiswein)
  • Late Harvest Wine
• Sweet Red Wine (Late Harvest Wines and Fortified Wines)

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Fortified Wine

Fortified wines are produced with the addition of a small amount of grape spirit. The include both dry and sweet styles.

• Port Wine (Porto)
• Madeira
• Sherry

Trader Joe's Wine

No, this isn't really a type of wine. Trader Joe's carries wine from many different regions and of various different styles, from But I get a lot of people asking me if Trader Joe's wine selection is even worth their time. Here are my thoughts on Trader Joes wine and whether or not there are any decent values to be had at this popular market chain.

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