All white wines are not created equal. There are big differences in taste among different varieties of wine. If you have just reached drinking age and want to become a wine connoisseur, you need to learn the different kinds of white wines so you can be a knowledgeable wine consumer.

White wines are best when they are consumed within a year of purchase. Red wines are better for putting in a wine cellar and letting them age. White wines should all be served at very, very cold temperatures, as chilled white wine is delicious. Pour a small amount of wine into the glass and return the bottle to an ice bucket to avoid letting the wine in your glass warm up to room temperature, where it might develop an acidic taste.

Chardonnay White Wine

Chardonnay is probably the most popular white wine today. In the California wine region, 95% of California wineries produce at least one vintage of Chardonnay wine. This white wine comes from the chardonnay white grape, which will grow in virtually every region where wine grapes can be grown. Chardonnays are known for their crisp, mellow flavor. A chardonnay would never be described as a sweet white wine.

Sauvignon Blanc

Don't let the name scare you. The Sauvignon Blanc wine family (also sometimes called Fume Blanc) is an excellent starter wine for the beginning wine drinker. This crisp white wine is dry and light in body, making it perfect for drinking with fruit, cheese, or simply on its own as a cocktail. You may detect an undertone of smoky, tart, or herbal flavor. Sauvignon Blanc wines should be consumed soon after they are purchased, because this wine will not improve with age, and it might even worsen in taste and body if you store it for a prolonged period of time.

Riesling White Wine

Riesling is a very popular wine among beginning wine drinkers because it has a sweet flavor that appeals to novices. Rieslings are delicate, fragrant and fruity. They are excellent for serving with fruit, cheese and appetizer courses. Riesling is also a good wine to mix into a wine cocktail. To make an iced wine martini, just pour a glass of Riesling, add a shot of ice cold Vodka and garnish with three frozen seedless grapes - never olives. You may serve olives with chardonnay wines, but the strong taste of olives will overpower the taste of a delicate Riesling.

The history of red wine is as almost as long as mankind itself. There are countless types of red wine that people enjoy around the world every day, especially now that cancer experts have stated that drinking red wine prevents cancer. The biggest consumer of red wine in the world is the Catholic Church, since they use it in communion at every mass.

Bordeaux Red Wine

Wine has been grown in Bordeaux for over two thousand years. Most probably vines grew there before the arrival of the Roman in 56BC. But unlike most of the other French wine regions, wine in Bordeaux was developed by merchants. In other parts of France, wine was under the power of the monks.

At the beginning of the second millennium the Bordeaux region was under English domination. Hundreds of boats loaded with barrels of "Claret" were shipped to England. The "Claret" was a light red wine which Englishmen loved. The word is still used to refer to red Bordeaux. By the 14th century, half of the wine production was boarded on ships mainly to England. At that time, wines from Bergerac and Gaillac, east of Bordeaux, were very famous and strongly competed against Bordeaux wines. Nowadays they belong to the South West wine region.

Therefore the local winemakers and merchants banned those South West wines from entering the city of Bordeaux until their own wines were on board the ships.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, merchants from England, the Netherlands, and Germany controlled most of the red wines produced in the whole Bordeaux region. At that time, wineries sold their wines in barrels and casks just after they made them. Merchants bought barrels and casks, sometimes bottled the wines and matured them. In 1855, these merchants created a ranking to distinguish the finest Bordeaux red wines. The classification still exists and is known as Grands Crus Classes.

Baron de Rothschild

At the end of the World War II, Baron de Rothschild was the first wine maker to bottle his wines and mature them in a cellar, before all wine makers did the same. During the last decade, the trend in Bordeaux is to put a brand name on the bottle with grapes coming from all over the region and even beyond. Brand names such as Mouton Cadet and Malesan are increasingly popular.

Burgundy Red Wine

Burgundy wines are of a velvety and subtle red or sensual and characteristic white. The area of Burgundy experiences a continental climate characterized by very cold winters and hot summers. The weather is very unpredictable with rains, hail, and frost all possibly around harvest time. Because of this climate, there is a lot of variation between vintages from Burgundy.

A sparkling wine is simply a wine that contains a certain amount of carbon dioxide that will give the wine a fizzy quality. Sparkling wine is similar to champagne; the difference is that champagne is a sparkling wine that has been produced in the Champagne region of France.

Any sparkling wine produced outside this region cannot be called champagne. There are different methods to produce this type of wine and you can buy this type of wine from different countries. It is an elegant way to toast a special occasion or to spice up a dinner when combined with fruits to make a cocktail.

The Types of Sparklers

Usually sparkling wine are white wines, there are also rose wines that can be classified as sparkling. However you can now find red wines that fall under this categorization. The increase in producers of this wine has meant that you can now find a wide variety of sparkling wine from different parts of the world.

France no longer exclusively produces these wines and most wine producing countries also produce this wine. American wine makers have caught up with European wine makers and now produce wine of this type. Depending on where it is made, there are specific names that refer to this type of wine.

About The Names

In South Africa the term for this type of wine is Cap Classique. Wine bearing this name is made according to the traditional champagne method and was introduced to South African wine makers by French Huguenots.

The name is also a reference to the way in which this type of wine making was introduced to South Africa. In Italy the generic name for a sparkling wine is Spumante. Wine of this type made in the Asti region is referred to as Asti. In Italy this type of wine is usually served with dessert due to it being a sweet wine and generally having low alcohol content.

It may even surprise you to know that sparkling wine is made in Germany. In Germany it is usually called Sekt. Sometimes it is also called Perlwein. In the early years of Sekt production the base wines used to make this wine were partly comprised of imported wines from Italy, Spain, and France. Sekt is usually made with the traditional champagne method.

It doesn't matter where your bottle of sparkling wine was made. It is sure to add a touch of glamour to any occasion. Putting a pureed peach at the bottom of a champagne flute and then topping it off with your favorite sparkling wine will make a delicious cocktail and is sure to have everyone in a good mood by the end of the night.

There are quite a few different types of wine available to choose from, and port wine is definitely one of the most popular of all. If you are a wine novice then most likely you are wondering what port wine even is. For these people, here is some detailed information on port wine.

Port is a fortified red or white wine that is made with the grape varieties that grow specifically in the Douro River Valley in Portugal. As one of the leading wine production locations in the world, Portugal is known for its delicious, rich wine blends, their port wine selection being the most popular of all.

For the most part, this type of wine is blended and aged in the cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a city that is located just at the mouth of the Douro River in Portugal. It is usually enjoyed before or after the entrée in a meal, and compliments most foods. A rich blue cheese is probably the best known accompaniment to this wine but certainly not the only one, so have some imagination and mix it up. It also goes very well with fruit and nuts.

Things You Should Remember

This is not the only kind of wine that you can choose from however, so just make sure that you choose the specific wine that is going to go best with the particular dish that will be served. It can be hard to decide from the multitude of options available to you, especially if you do not have much experience with wine, but you will see how well worth it the effort of choosing the right one is.

If you ever need help choosing a wine, whether it is a port wine or other, one of the best things you can do is take some time and do some research. If you really want to come out of it all with the best possible results, gaining knowledge about the different types of wine is really going to help you out. Also keep in mind that wherever you shop for your wine there will usually be knowledgeable and helpful employees who will be able to talk with you, figure out what you need the wine for and then help you to decide on the best one for your needs.

It is well worth it to choose the right wine, especially when you pair it with a meal and they compliment each other so well.

Of all the different types of wine one can choose from, French wine is some of the very best. There are so many different uses for French wine, so many ways in which one can use it. This wine is considered by many around the world as being the very best, with no comparison. If you are interested in trying some of this wine out for yourself, there are a few things you are going to want to know so you will be able to choose the best French wines, depending on the situation that you need them for.

Virtually all the grape varieties that are used to create wine today were sourced from France, so this alone tells you just how major a role France has played in the world of wine, not only in the past but the present as well.

A few of the most dominant French grape varietals include chardonnay, chenin blanc, gewürztraminer, muscadet, pinot blanc, sauvignon blanc, and white burgundy.

French wine really tastes unlike any other, and if you know your wines and try one of these wines you can definitely tell the difference. It really stands out from a crowd, and is by far one of the most popular wine selections in the world and always has been.

What The Wine Producing Regions Are

There are a few popular wine producing regions in France, Bourdeaux being one of the most popular of all. With over 12,000 winegrowers and over 50 diverse growing appellations, it is really no wonder why.

French wines from the Left Bank (there are two prevailing red wine-producing subregions of Bordeaux: Left Bank and Right Bank) usually require more time to mature and so they are usually left to age for years.

If you are a novice with wine and want to try one that is going to really leave an impression on you, French wine is definitely the way to go. There are also so many different choices when it comes to French wine and so you definitely have a lot of variety and really can always find what you are looking for.

Just keep in mind that there are many other types of wine you can choose from as well, so never limit your selection to just one country's wine. Taste a few different wines from different counties and see what you think, because everyone's preferences are different so you may prefer another type of wine altogether.

Italy is known as one of the most romantic countries in the world and they are also known for their excellent Italian wine. The country produces more wine than anywhere else in the world and there are literally hundreds of different types of Italian wine that are exported globally. The world of wines from Italy can be quite complex as each wine producing area of Italy may produce a specific type of wine, based on the grapes they harvest.

For years it has seemed that Italy kept the best of the best wines for themselves and shipped out great tasting but mostly generic wines globally. Times have changed however thanks to technology, growing practices and global demand for a more exclusive selection of Italian wine. While there are many nuances for wine from Italy, there are basically two different types of Italian wine - table wines and more expensive, exclusive wines.

The Table Wines

Table wines are the perfect complement to hearty, down-home Italian food and can be found in most Italian restaurants and home tables. These wines are not as expensive as the higher end wines and are perfect for a more casual, convivial atmosphere among friends. The table Italian wine is likely in a large glass jug and mainly comes in red and white varieties, perfect for virtually any Italian dish. The majority of table wines from Italy are slightly fruity with a light sweetness and some being light bodied or even sparkling.

Chianti is a popular type of table wine that is well revered by many wine enthusiasts as being tasty as well as affordable.

The More Expensive Wines

Italy takes enormous pride in their Italian wine selections that are priced a bit higher than normal standards and as well they should. The exclusivity of the wines is based on the type of native grapes
they are derived from as well as the growing region. For this reason, you will see Tuscan wines that are from the province of Tuscany in Italy and other variations can be pinpointed to a specific region by not only the name of the wine but also the type of grapes used in its production.

There are approximately 2,000 types of grapes being grown in Italy today so you can imagine the variety of Italian wine available on the market. With the intermingling of the different varieties there are countless flavors from light to full-bodied with dry to fruity flavors to wines with smoky or oak undertones. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to Italian wine and therefore is the reason why this type of wine is one of the most complex to shop for.

The Italian Sparkling Wines

Sparklers are the sleeper secrets of Italy. These wonderful beverages are becoming the fastest growing segment of the Italian adult beverage industry.When most people think of Italian wine, they think of the lush, robust reds of the Tuscany or the delicate whites of Piedmont. They don't generally think of sparkling wines, but they should. Italy produces more different kinds of sparkling wines than any other country in the world. In fact, they have been crafting spumantes (literally, sparkling wines) since Roman times, long before Dom Perignon popped his first cork.

From the light off dry Proseccos, to the classic Franciacortas, Italian sparklers are varied, tasty, and often quite affordable.

The Art Of Spumante

Most of Italy's sparklers are produced in the cooler regions of northern Italy, particularly Piedmont, Veneto, and Lombardy. Unlike Champagne, most Italian sparklers are made using the Charmat method. Using this method, the wine's second fermentation is done in a tank instead of in the bottles, and the sulting wine is bottled young. This technique is articularly suited to crisp, low alcohol drinks, such as Asti and Moscato d'Asti. Generally, sparklers produced this way are best consumed when young and have little staying power.

The Fine Franciacorta

Franciacorta is Italy's sparkling wine star. Unlike most other Italian sparklers, Franciacorta is made using the Champagne method. That is, it is fermented in the bottles, rather than a vat. This leads to smaller, more plentiful bubbles and a more subtle taste. Franciacorta is a name of a place -- a region in the Lombardy Lake District. The Franciacorta is made using a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero grapes. It is a dry, somewhat complex product, with hints of almond, vanilla, and yellow ripe fruit. According to Italian law, Franciacorta must be aged for at least 18 months, vintage Franciacorta must be aged for at least 18 months, vintage Franciacorta for 30 months. Drink Franciacorta with risottos, seafood, white meat, and baked fish.

The Excellent Asti

Asti produces a considerable number of excellent sparkling wines. Asti is a place name, a lovely town, set in the gently rolling hills of Piedmont, in the north of Italy. The craggy, limestone soil there is ideal for growing grapes. In addition to the eponymous sparkler, the wine region of Asti also produces the light and crisp Moscato d'Asti as well as a red sparkler, called Brachetto. Asti has a light, slightly off dry, vaguely peachy flavor, made from 100% Moscato grapes. It has high acidity, which helps to balance its sweetness.

Asti is a non-vintage wine, and since it is best when consumed within one to three years of bottling, it is a good idea to buy Asti from a wine shop that turns its inventory frequently. Asti is ideal paired with Gorgonzola cheese and by itself as an aperitif.

Wineries are located all around the world, but if you want to know where the best are, you would want to look in either France or California. There are so many different types of California wine, and they are all full-bodied and delicious.

The red California wine is particularly popular, and there are a few different types that you can choose from.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a very popular type of California red wine, one which individuals usually drink on a frequent basis. You can serve it with a dinner or on a special occasion, but you may even prefer to have a glass or two just when you are relaxing or having a bath.

Merlot is another favored California wine. This is a wine that has a very nice deep red overtone to it, and you would want to stick to serving this wine with heartier meals, such as steak and potatoes for instance. Remember that you want the wine to compliment the meal and not overtake it, so you would not want to serve a full-bodied red wine like this with chicken or a salad, for instance.

There is also Pinot Noir, which is a very popular California wine and which is very versatile because it goes so well with so many different types of food. This is a wine that California vineyards produce year round, so it is always available.

There are many other wines available from California, including Syrah. Syrah is a type of wine that is very similar in nature to the Pinot Noir, but with many differences as well. It is much stronger and more full-bodied for one, so this is not a wine that you would want to drink on a regular basis or just pair randomly with any meal.

Last to be discussed here is the Red Zinfandel California wine. This is a wine that you will almost always find when you are dining in any California restaurant, and no doubt is one of your favorites. It is without a doubt one of the most popular California wines of all and for good reason. It is versatile, delicious, and compliments almost any meal, which is something that not many red wines are able to do.

You do not have to be a wine expert to be able to choose the right wine for the right occasion, you just need a bit of knowledge and need to be willing to put a little thought into it rather than just grabbing any random bottle.