Types of Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is probably one of the most popular wines in the world in terms of both consumption and production. These highly resistant grapes and vines allow this specific blend to be produced almost everywhere in the world. The blend of vines to produce Cabernet Sauvignon generally is made of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, which gives it a hearty and rich taste, which on occasions could also be mild and mellow. These wines generally go well with red meat, lamb and goose, that are cooked with herbs. A lot of people also prefer drinking this wine while eating chees and chocolates. Most wine producing countries in the world have their very own unique Cabernet Sauvignon due to the ease in production and the high demand of consumers. This is by far one of the greatest productions in wine that has been received by the consumers and growers everywhere.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the second most planted variety in the world and by far is one of the most popular wines on the planet. It is a green skinned grape variety that originates from eastern France, and this wine is also used in Champaign. Many people mistake Chardonnay for Pinot Blanc because of the similarities they share. But upon closer inspection, subtle differences can be noted. Chardonnay is a very neutral variety and in many cases for new wine countries, is their right of passage into the world of wine cultivation. Although many people are against the popularity of this wine, seeing that many people consider this variety wine globalization over shadowing the not so popular varieties out there. Nonetheless, the popularity of this wine continues to remain second in the world. This particular wine goes very well with roast chicken and fish, but could depend on the age of the wine.

Merlot

A master blending wine, Merlot, softens the hardness of some wines and is considered to be one of the most popular wines in the world. It definitely is one of the most planted, as most Bordeaux have the blending softness and mellowness of Merlot in it. It wasn't used as a stand alone wine until recently due to the fact that Merlot doesn't age too well, and becomes more like vinegar quite quickly. This wine is best drunk within six months after harvesting. Also this grape variety buds quicker than most of the other grape varieties out there, and thus also can be harvested sooner. Countries that focus the most on the cultivation of Merlot are Chile and the United States, particularly the California area. Even though Merlot was mainly used to blend other stronger wines and to tone down the taste, it is becoming more and more popular as a stand-alone wine as time passes.

Pinot Noir

This elegant and romantic wine known as Pinot Noir is one of the most sought after wines on the planet. Even though it is difficult to cultivate and turn into wine, the sheer magnificence of these wines make wine experts go mad. The taste of a Pinot Noir widely ranges due to cultivation processes and climate changes. Although the general assessment of taste labels a Pinot Noir to be of light to medium body with a black raspberry taste to it, although this might change to a milder taste as it grows old. Pinot Noir is also used in the making of Champaign, which gives it even more of a foot in the door. Some interesting crosses happened between Pinot Noir and Hermitage creating a very unique variety called Pinotage. This wine is so popular that some people claim it to be the most romantic wine of all time, while others describe it as a seductive yet fickle mistress.

Red Zinfandel

Red Zinfandel is a robust and semi sweet tasting wine that is made from special red grapes found in California. There has been some DNA tracing that suggests the grape used in this wine is similar to a Croatian grape and also to an Italian grape. It is rumored that the grape reached the United States somewhere between 1830-1850 and became a popular brand of wine from 1850 and onwards. Joseph W. Osborne was the first man in the United States to actually produce wine from this particular grape, and even though White Zinfandel is a more popular wine than Red Zinfandel, it still became the most planted grape in the 19th century USA. Red Zinfandel was one of the few wines that survived the prohibition years in the United States due to the fact that it could be planted as a house wine, which was still allowed during this period.

White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is one of the most popular wines in the United States. This wine comes in a variety of tastes naturally due to processing, and by adding different flavors to the bottle have created an even wider range of tastes. This wine goes perfectly with foods such as pastas, pork, chicken, fish and so on, and is considered to be the third most consumed wine in the United States. In reality this pinkish wine actually derives from Red Zinfandel grapes but by taking the skin of the grape and then processing, it becomes white. This wine is much sweeter than its red sibling and also contains a smaller concentration of alcohol, which could be the reason that more people drink this particular wine. The price of this wine is very low compared to the rest of the wines produced, which makes it more accessible to the masses, and thus creating its popularity.

Riesling

Riesling is a grape variety that originally comes from German decent. Riesling is considered to be one of the top three white wines next to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It also gained the 20th position for most important wines globally, competing both with red and white wines. This variety generally grows in colder climates and is very expressive of where it is cultivated. Also Riesling wines age incredibly well, as some dated to be more than one hundred years old and still tasting very good. This is a particularly good cellar wine and only gets better with age. The Riesling variety is also very aromatic and in some cases can have very intense odors that are sweet and almost perfume like. This wine is one of the best white wines known to man and has been successfully cultivated since the 1400. The best foods to eat with this wine are ,white meats and in some cases beef, that is stir-fried.

Sauvignon Blanc

This green grape variety known as Sauvignon Blanc is one of the top choice white wines available in the world. Originally, this variety comes from France, but due to popularity it expanded all over the world. A perfect wine for desserts and most foods, as this wine has a wide variety of tastes due to cultivation processes. Some of the best countries in the world outside of France in the cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc would have be South Africa and New Zealand. This particular grape grows in colder climates but nonetheless is considered to be very fast growers and need to be kept well pruned during the growing season. In most cases barreling does not occur, but when it does it changes the taste of the wine significantly. Either way, this wine is placed in the top three best white wines in the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Syrah

The Syrah or also known as Shiraz is a very potent and well-known red wine. The origins of this wine are not completely definite, as some people believe that this wine originates from France, while others believe that the wine originates from Iran. Either way, the popularity of this wine is known by the entire world, and being the 7th most grown grape variety proves that point. This wine is also used at times for blending with lesser wines in order to raise the quality of these wines. Countries such as South Africa and Australia are very fond of these wines but rather call the variety Shiraz, as opposed to the majority of European countries that refer to it as Syrah. Either way, both names are accepted legally and internationally. The taste of a Syrah is powerful to the tongue, with an almost peppery taste to it. This wine goes perfectly with red meats and lamb, especially if spiced with herbs.