Types of wine: varieties and classification

A wine can be red or white, and with woody or acidic tones. The creation of wines is a discipline of extensive techniques that involves a long process of preparation and preparation before reaching the palate of those who enjoy it. But how many types of wine really exist and how can they be classified? You are about to enter a world of unique essences and flavors, so go ahead.

How many types of wine are there?

Talking about the variety of wines that currently exists is an arduous and quite dissected task, and we cannot classify this emblematic drink in a single way, since factors such as age, color, flavor, sugar levels and gas carbon dioxide, must be taken into account for a rigorous analysis.

Another important factor when choosing a wine is related to the type of food you want to consume. For this process, called pairing, the main foods are taken into account in order to balance the flavors and essences with the notes of the wine.

Classification of wine types

Let's start discovering the types of wine that exist through these classifications.

According to its color

The classification of wines by color is the best known category in the world. This is because the tone is usually the calling card of this type of drink.

Red

It is the most consumed type of wine in the world. It obtains its color from the musts or juice of red grapes that make it up. Contact with skins, seeds and scratches is also necessary to obtain this characteristic color.

You may be interested in: Health benefits of red wine

White

This wine obtains its color from the absence of skins, since only the must is fermented at a controlled temperature. It usually includes white or black grapes, which gives it a yellowish tone.

Pink

Also known as Rosé in France, this wine is usually made only with the must or juice of certain selected grapes. Its tone can range between light and strong pink, or even violet without reaching the red tone.

According to your age

The classification of wines by age is determined according to the vintages (harvest year). Each vintage is different based on multiple factors that affect the quality of the wine.

Young

They are also known as wines of the year due to the timing of their harvest. These do not pass through barrels and are bottled immediately after alcoholic fermentation.

Breeding

Crianza wines are those that have been matured for at least 24 months, of which 6 months have been in barrels.

Booking

This variant stands out for having been made for a minimum of 3 years. Within these 3 years, 12 months have passed in oak barrels.

Great reserve

Gran Reserva wines are characterized by having been made for 5 years and having been kept in oak barrels for a minimum period of 18 months.

Depending on your sugar level

The sugar level is one of the most important factors when classifying a wine. This level is the residual that the final product has when bottled.

Dry

These wines have a total acidity content of less than 2 grams compared to the residual sugar content per liter.

Semi dry

Semi-dry wines have a total acidity content of less than 10 grams with respect to the residual sugar content per liter.

Lawyers

If a wine has less than 30 grams of residual sugar with respect to each liter of content, it can be considered of the concentrated type.

Sweets

Sweet wines have a content of less than 120 grams of residual sugar per liter.

So sweet

As their name indicates, these wines have a sugar level greater than 120 grams per liter.

Depending on the wine variety

The wine strain refers to the trunk of the vine or, more simply put, the type of grape from which the wine is made.

Among the main red or red wine strains are:

Cabernet Sauvignon

It comes from France and is a surly type strain. It is the type of grape most used for the preparation of red wines.

Pinot noir

This strain comes from French Burgundy and produces high quality wines. However, it is also a very delicate variant that works in cold climates.

Riesling

It is a strain little valued by the general public but highly appreciated by specialists. It is native to the Rhine region, Germany, and usually grows in light, rocky soils. Ideal for wines on ice.

Merlot

Another grape originally from France, it is distinguished for giving rise to fine wines and has a great personality, as well as an intense color.

Among the white strains the following stand out:

Chardonnay

It is the highest ranking strain when it comes to preparing white wines. It is also used to prepare generic white wines and champagne.

Sauvignon blanc

It is another of the most used and most frequently used strains for white wines. It is of French origin and is used largely for Spanish wines.