When it comes to wine, many people are familiar with the two most common types: red and white. However, our wine department has choices beyond these two categories. Each type offers a unique experience, with variations in color, sweetness, and production methods that can surprise and delight your palate. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking to expand your options, learning about different wine types can elevate your shopping and tasting experience.
Below, we explore six types of wine beyond red and white, including their characteristics, flavors, and best pairings.
Rosé Wine
Rosé wine strikes a balance between red and white wines. It’s made from red grapes, but the grape skins stay in contact with the juice for only a short period, giving the wine its signature pink color. This limited contact with the skins also keeps tannins to a minimum, making rosé lighter and more refreshing than a typical red wine.
Flavor Profile
Rosé can range from dry to sweet, with common flavors of strawberries, raspberries, and citrus. Provence Rosé, one of the most popular styles, is known for its crisp dryness and subtle fruit flavors.
Pairings
Rosé pairs well with a variety of foods, including light salads, grilled chicken, and Mediterranean dishes. Its versatility makes it a great choice for both casual meals and more elaborate dinners.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine brings effervescence to the table. This wine department selection is often associated with celebrations, sparkling wine is bubbly due to carbon dioxide trapped during fermentation. The production methods can vary, affecting the quality and flavor.
Types of Sparkling Wine
- Champagne: The most famous sparkling wine, produced only in the Champagne region of France, known for its elegance and complexity.
- Prosecco: An Italian sparkling wine, often lighter and fruitier than Champagne, making it a popular choice for casual gatherings.
- Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine, offering bright citrus and apple notes.
Pairings
Sparkling wines pair beautifully with salty foods like oysters, cheese boards, and charcuterie. They also make an excellent match for lighter fare such as sushi or salads.
Dessert Wine
If you have a sweet tooth, dessert wine may be the perfect option for you. These wines are intentionally sweet, designed to complement or replace dessert. The sweetness comes from various methods, such as allowing grapes to ripen longer or even encouraging a type of mold called “noble rot.”
Examples of Dessert Wine
- Sauternes: A sweet white wine from Bordeaux, known for its honeyed notes and rich texture.
- Tokaji: A Hungarian dessert wine, offering flavors of apricots, honey, and marmalade.
- Late Harvest Wines: Grapes are harvested late in the season, leading to a higher sugar concentration in the wine.
Pairings
Dessert wines are typically served with sweets like cheesecakes, fruit tarts, or chocolates. They can also be enjoyed on their own as a sweet end to a meal.
Fortified Wine
Fortified wine stands out due to its higher alcohol content, which comes from the addition of distilled spirits, usually brandy. This process not only strengthens the wine but also preserves it, making it a durable option for long-term storage.
Types of Fortified Wine
- Port: A rich, sweet wine from Portugal, often enjoyed after dinner.
- Sherry: A Spanish wine that can range from dry to sweet, depending on the style.
- Madeira: Known for its nutty, caramel flavors, Madeira is a long-lasting wine that can improve with age.
- Vermouth: An aromatized wine, frequently used in cocktails like martinis or Manhattans.
Pairings
Fortified wines can be sipped on their own or enjoyed with strong cheeses, nuts, or rich desserts. They also work well as aperitifs or digestifs.
Orange Wine
Orange wine is a bit of a hidden gem in the wine world. It’s made from white grapes, but the skins stay in contact with the juice for an extended period during fermentation, giving the wine an amber or orange hue. The result is a tannic structure more commonly found in red wines, combined with the flavors of white wine.
Flavor Profile
Expect complex flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and a touch of honey. Orange wine can have a slightly bitter edge, making it a bold choice for adventurous drinkers.
Pairings
Orange wine pairs well with strong cheeses, roasted vegetables, and spicy dishes. It’s also a great choice for dishes with bold flavors like curries or stews.
Blush Wine
Blush wine, often used as another name for rosé, generally refers to lighter, sweeter pink wines. White Zinfandel is the most famous example. These wines are easy-drinking and perfect for those who prefer a touch of sweetness in their wine department selection.
Flavor Profile
Blush wines tend to be light, fruity, and slightly sweet, with notes of berries and citrus.
Pairings
Blush wine pairs wonderfully with lighter fare like grilled chicken, salads, and fruit platters. It’s also a popular choice for summer picnics and casual barbecues.
While red and white wines dominate the shelves of our wine department, exploring different types of wine can enhance your drinking experience and open up new pairing possibilities. From the light, refreshing qualities of rosé to the effervescence of sparkling wines and the complexity of fortified options, there is a world of wine waiting to be discovered. Next time you’re shopping for wine, consider stepping outside the red and white categories to try something new. You might just find your next favorite bottle.