A Simple Guide to the Different Types of Wine
Starting with wine can feel overwhelming. Along with the common types of wine, there are thousands of grape types to choose from. You also need to think about the region, colour, and style. Plus, do not start me on reading a wine bottle.
Let’s begin with the basics. Here are some kinds of wine you will find in your local grocery store, along with what makes each one special.
You never know; your new type of wine could be a blog post away.
This page contains affiliate links and/or sponsored content. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links at no cost to you.
TYPES OF RED WINE
Cabernet Sauvignon
“Kab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn”
Taste: Black cherry, black current, plum & spices.
Style: Full-bodied red wine.
Description: Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and widely planted red wine varieties in the world. It is a bold wine with high tannin levels.
Ageing: This type of wine is ideal for aging that develops complex flavours like tobacco and cedar.
If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, you should try....
Syrah/Shiraz: Slightly bolder, with spice, pepper and dark berry flavours.
Tempranillo: A beautiful classic Spanish wine, red fruit, spice and touch of smoke.
Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva Tempranillo - £15.99Cabernet Sauvignon: For a more structured, age-worthy version of dark fruit intensity. A lighter elegant, more aromatic, with fresh herb notes.
Malbec
“Mal-beck”
Taste: Blackberry, plum, cocoa and violet.
Style: Full-bodied with a smooth texture.
Description: Famous in Argentina but originally from France, Malbec is bold yet velvety, full of dark fruit and soft tannins.
Aging: Most supermarket Malbecs are best enjoyed young, offering smooth, fruity flavours of plum and blackberry. Higher-quality Malbecs from Mendoza or Cahors can age up to 15 years, gaining richer notes of leather, spice, and cocoa
If you like Malbec, you should try....
Zinfandel: Slightly bolder, with spice, pepper and dark berry flavours.
Syrah/Shiraz: Bolder, smokier, and peppery with deep richness.
Cabernet Sauvignon: For a more structured, age-worthy version of dark fruit intensity.
Merlot
“Mer-loh”
Taste: Plum, cherry, chocolate, and herbs.
Style: Medium to full-bodied.
Description: Merlot is soft, smooth, and silky, the perfect red for those who enjoy richness without harsh tannins.
Aging: Most supermarket Merlots are soft, smooth, and ready to drink, showing ripe plum, cherry, and chocolate notes. Premium Merlots from Bordeaux or California can age 10–15 years, developing richer flavours of truffle, tobacco, and dried fruit with a silky, elegant texture.
If you like Merlot, you should try....
Montepulciano: An Italian alternative with smooth tannins and ripe cherry flavours.
Malbec: Richer and darker, with a juicy mouthfeel and a smoky finish.
Cabernet Franc: Adds a touch of herb and red fruit brightness.
Pinot Noir
“Pee-noh-Nwahr”
Taste: Cherry, raspberry, spice.
Style: Light to medium-bodied.
Description: Light, elegant, and complex, Pinot Noir is beloved for its delicate red fruit and earthy undertones.
Aging: Pinot Noir is best enjoyed young for its bright red fruit and delicate freshness, but top-quality bottles, especially from Burgundy or Oregon — can age gracefully for up to 10–15 years, developing complex earthy and truffle notes over time.
If you like Pinot Noir, you should try....
Gamay (Beaujolais): Lighter, fresh, and juicy, with lively red fruit.
Grenache (Garnacha): Aromatic and silky, often a little warmer and spicier.
Nebbiolo: For something more structured but still fragrant, from Italy’s Piedmont region.
TYPES OF WHITE WINE
Chardonnay
“Shar-dun-nay”
Taste: Apple, pear, citrus, vanilla, and butter.
Style: Medium to full-bodied.
Description: Often called the queen of white wines, Chardonnay is versatile and expressive — capable of being crisp and mineral or rich and creamy, depending on where and how it’s made. It’s a true shape-shifter of the wine world.
Ageing: Most Chardonnay is meant to be enjoyed young, showing fresh flavours of apple, pear, and citrus. However, high-quality, oak-aged styles (especially from Burgundy or California) can age for 5–10 years, gaining richness with notes of honey, nuts, and butter. As one of the most popular grape varieties, Chardonnay balances freshness and depth better than many other varietals.
Affordable:
Premium : La Chablisienne Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2023 - £34.03
If you like Chardonnay, you should try....
Semillon: Smooth and waxy, showing citrus, honey, and toast as it ages.
Viognier: Lush and aromatic, with floral notes and ripe stone fruit.
White Burgundy: The most refined expression of Chardonnay; elegant, mineral, and balanced.
Sauvignon Blanc
“Saw-vin-yawn Blonk”
Taste: Lime, gooseberry, passionfruit, and herbs.
Style: Light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity.
Description: Fresh, zesty, and full of life, Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate palate refresher. It bursts with bright citrus, green fruit, and herbal energy — a white wine that’s always vibrant and expressive.
Ageing: Sauvignon Blanc is best enjoyed young to capture its zesty freshness and citrusy, herbal notes. Aged examples are rare, but some top wines from Bordeaux and the Loire Valley can age for up to 5 years, softening into richer, more rounded styles with hints of honey and toast.
If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you should try....
Albariño: Coastal and tropical, with bright minerality.
Vermentino: Similarly refreshing, with lemon and a hint of salinity.
Verdejo: Spain’s crisp, citrusy white with subtle grassy notes.
Pinot Gris
“Pee-no-Gree”
Taste: Green apple, lemon, pear, and white flowers.
Style: Light-bodied and dry.
Description: Light, crisp, and refreshing, Pinot Gris is loved for its simplicity and clean finish. It’s a perfect warm-weather white — vibrant, easy-going, and incredibly food-friendly.
Aging: Pinot Gris is typically made for early drinking, offering light, crisp flavours of pear, apple, and lemon. Only a few richer styles, such as those from Alsace, can age for several years, developing deeper honeyed and nutty tones.
If you like Pinot Gris, you should try....
Chablis: A mineral-driven French Chardonnay, lean and elegant.
Gavi: Crisp and floral, with a touch of minerality.
Vermentino: A Mediterranean white that’s aromatic yet fresh.
Riesling
“Rees-ling”
Taste: Peach, apricot, lime, honey, and floral notes.
Style: Light-bodied with vibrant acidity.
Description: Riesling is one of the most expressive and age-worthy white wines, known for its perfume, energy, and range — from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. It’s a wine that can truly evolve over time.
Aging: Riesling is one of the few white wines that ages exceptionally well. While vibrant and floral when young, it can mature for decades, developing complex layers of honey, petrol, and spice while retaining its lively acidity.
If you like Riesling, you should try....
Chenin Blanc: Crisp and versatile, balancing citrus, honey, and texture.
Moscato: Sweet, lightly sparkling, and bursting with fruit.
Gewürztraminer: Intensely aromatic with lychee, rose, and spice.
Types of Rosé
Provence Rosé
“Pro-vahnss Roh-zay”
Taste: Strawberry, watermelon, citrus, and Provençal herbs.
Style: Light and dry with bright acidity.
Description: Elegant, pale, and effortlessly refreshing, Provence Rosé is the definition of a classic dry rosé. Hailing from the sun-soaked south of France, it’s known for its delicate colour, crisp freshness, and subtle blend of fruit and herbs.
Aging: Most Provence Rosé is best enjoyed young, prized for its crisp freshness and delicate fruit. Within 1–3 years, it shows vibrant flavours of strawberry, citrus, and herbs. Aging beyond that can dull its lively character, though a few premium bottles may gain soft, savoury notes with short cellaring.
If you like Provence Rose, you should try....
Rosado (Spain): A bolder, fruit-forward take on dry rosé with a vibrant colour.
Côtes du Rhône Rosé : Deeper and more savoury, with herbal complexity.
Pinot Noir Rosé: Light, floral, and elegant with a silky texture.
White Zinfandel
“Why-t Zin-fen-dell”
Taste: Strawberry, melon, raspberry, and a hint of candy sweetness.
Style: Light to medium with a smooth, sweet finish.
Description: Playful, fruity, and irresistibly easy-drinking, White Zinfandel is the most famous sweet-style rosé. It’s bright pink, soft on the palate, and packed with juicy red-fruit flavour — a fun, approachable wine that suits any casual occasion.
Aging: White Zinfandel is meant to be drunk young, within a year or two of release. It’s at its best when fresh and fruity, showing juicy notes of strawberry, melon, and raspberry. Aging doesn’t improve its flavour, it’s all about bright, youthful sweetness.
If you like White Zinfandel, you should try....
Moscato Rosé: Lightly sparkling and floral, with delicate sweetness.
Grenache Rosé : For a slightly drier, fruit-driven alternative with balance and brightness.
Brachetto d’Acqui: Italian sparkling red with strawberry and rose petal notes.
Types of Sparkling
Champagne
“Shar-dun-nay”
Taste: Apple, pear, citrus, vanilla, and butter.
Style: Medium to full-bodied.
Description: Often called the queen of white wines, Chardonnay is versatile and expressive — capable of being crisp and mineral or rich and creamy, depending on where and how it’s made. It’s a true shape-shifter of the wine world.
Ageing: Most Chardonnay is meant to be enjoyed young, showing fresh flavours of apple, pear, and citrus. However, high-quality, oak-aged styles (especially from Burgundy or California) can age for 5–10 years, gaining richness with notes of honey, nuts, and butter. As one of the most popular type of wines, Chardonnay balances freshness and depth better than many other varietals.
If you like Chardonnay, you should try....
Semillon: Smooth and waxy, showing citrus, honey, and toast as it ages.
Viognier: Lush and aromatic, with floral notes and ripe stone fruit.
White Burgundy: The most refined expression of Chardonnay; elegant, mineral, and balanced.
Prosecco
“Pro-sek-oh”
Taste: Pear, peach, apple, and white blossom.
Style: Light and frothy with a smooth, refreshing finish.
Description: Joyful, fruity, and irresistibly light, Prosecco is Italy’s signature sparkling wine. Made from the Glera grape, it’s known for its soft bubbles, floral aroma, and easy-going charm, perfect for brunches or aperitifs.
Ageing: Prosecco is made for immediate enjoyment. Its light bubbles and fruity notes of pear, peach, and apple shine when the wine is young — typically within 1–2 years of bottling. Aging tends to diminish its freshness and fizz.
If you like Prosecco, you should try....
Moscato d’Asti: Lightly sparkling and sweet, with floral aromas.
Lambrusco: A fun, red sparkling wine that’s fruity and lively.
Prosecco Superiore: A more refined, elegant version from Italy’s best vineyards.
Cava
“Kah-vah”
Taste: Lemon, apple, almond, and toast.
Style: Dry, medium-bodied, with fine, lively bubbles.
Description: Spain’s answer to Champagne, Cava delivers quality and value in equal measure. Made using the same traditional method, it’s crisp, vibrant, and wonderfully food-friendly, perfect for pairing or casual celebrations.
Aging: Cava generally drinks best young, within a few years, when it’s bright and crisp with flavours of lemon and green apple. However, high-quality Reserva or Gran Reserva Cavas can age for up to 5–10 years, developing nutty, toasty complexity and a creamier texture.
If you like Cava, you should try....
Crémant de Bourgogne: A French sparkling with creamy texture and finesse.
Sekt (Germany): Elegant, delicate, and aromatic with floral lift.
Txakoli (Spain): Lightly sparkling, zesty, and perfect for summer sipping.
Overview of the different types of wine
Red Wine
Red wine is one of the most popular kind of wine, known for bold, rich, and full-flavoured characteristics. Expect darker fruit notes like cherries, blackberries, and plums, along with tannins that give a slightly dry, grippy finish.
White Wine
White wine is another classic among the main type of wines. It’s typically fresh, crisp, and fruit-forward — ranging from zesty and light to round and creamy, depending on how it’s made.
Rosé Wine
Rosé sits perfectly between red and white, bright, fruity, and refreshing. This style spans from dry and crisp to lightly sweet, making it one of the most versatile types of wine for casual sipping or summer meals.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is a celebratory, bubbly style and a favourite among many types of wine lovers. From Champagne to Prosecco, these sparkling styles bring finesse and energy, making them perfect for toasting special moments or pairing with everyday foods.
F&Qs
-
The main wine types are red, white, rosé, sparkling, dessert and fortified wines. (We deep dive into common red, white, rose and sparkling in this blog)
-
Light, fruit-forward wines like Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Rosé are great beginner-friendly picks.
-
Red wine is made with grape skins, giving deeper color and tannins; white is made without skins, so it’s fresher and lighter.
-
Rosé can be either, but many popular styles, especially from Provence, are dry.
-
No, Champagne is one type. Sparkling wine is made worldwide (Prosecco, Cava, Crémant, etc.).