There are five main types of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert or fortified wine. Every bottle you see in a shop fits into one of these groups. Below you will find each type explained, plus the 15 most popular varieties and what they taste like.
Types of Wine at a Glance
| Type | Popular varieties | Taste | Serve at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Zinfandel | Dry, bold, dark fruit | 60 to 68°F (15 to 20°C) |
| White | Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Moscato | Crisp, citrus, floral | 45 to 55°F (7 to 13°C) |
| Rosé | Provence rosé, White Zinfandel | Light, fresh, red berries | 45 to 55°F (7 to 13°C) |
| Sparkling | Champagne, Prosecco, Cava | Bubbly, crisp | 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C) |
| Dessert and fortified | Port, Sherry, Sauternes, Ice wine | Sweet, rich | Slightly chilled |
1. Red Wine
Red wine is made from dark-skinned grapes that are fermented together with their skins. The skins give the wine its color and its tannins, the compounds that create a dry, slightly grippy feeling in the mouth. Red wines range from light and fruity to dark and full-bodied.
Cabernet Sauvignon
A full-bodied red with firm tannins and flavors of blackcurrant and dark cherry. It is the main grape of Bordeaux in France and Napa Valley in California, and it pairs well with steak and other red meat.
Merlot
Softer and rounder than Cabernet Sauvignon, with plum and black cherry flavors. Its smooth feel makes it one of the easiest red wines for beginners.
Pinot Noir
A light-bodied red with low tannins and flavors of cherry and raspberry. It is best known from Burgundy in France and from Oregon, and it goes well with chicken, salmon, and mushrooms.
Syrah (Shiraz)
A dark, full-bodied red with blackberry and black pepper notes. It is called Syrah in France’s Rhône Valley and Shiraz in Australia.
Malbec
A deep purple wine with ripe dark fruit and a smooth finish. Argentina is now its most famous home, and it is a classic match for grilled meat.
Zinfandel
A bold, jammy red, often higher in alcohol, most closely linked with California. The same grape is also used to make the sweet pink wine called White Zinfandel.
2. White Wine
White wine is usually made from green or yellow grapes, and the juice is fermented without the skins. That is why it has a pale color and very little tannin. White wines are generally lighter and more acidic than reds and are served chilled.
Chardonnay
The most widely planted white grape in the world. Its style changes a lot: unoaked Chardonnay is crisp with apple and citrus flavors, while oaked Chardonnay is richer and buttery.
Sauvignon Blanc
A crisp, dry white with high acidity and flavors of lime, green apple, and fresh herbs. France’s Loire Valley and New Zealand’s Marlborough region are its best-known sources.
Riesling
An aromatic white with high acidity, most associated with Germany. It can be bone dry or very sweet, so check the label. It pairs well with spicy food.
Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris)
A light, easy-drinking white with pear and lemon flavors. The Italian style is crisp and dry; the French Pinot Gris style is fuller and richer.
Moscato
A sweet, low-alcohol white with peach and orange blossom aromas, often lightly fizzy. It is popular with people who do not usually like dry wine.
3. Rosé Wine
Rosé is made from red grapes, but the juice stays in contact with the skins for only a short time, from a few hours to a couple of days. That gives it a pink color and a taste between red and white: light and fresh, with strawberry and melon notes. Provence in France is the most famous rosé region. Most rosé is dry, while White Zinfandel is a sweeter style.
4. Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine contains bubbles of carbon dioxide created by a second fermentation. It can be white or rosé, and ranges from very dry (brut) to sweet.
Champagne
Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France. It is made mainly from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and the second fermentation happens inside the bottle.
Prosecco
An Italian sparkling wine made from the Glera grape. The bubbles are created in large tanks, which keeps it fresh, fruity, and more affordable than Champagne.
Cava
Spain’s sparkling wine, made with the same in-bottle method as Champagne but with Spanish grapes. It is dry and crisp and is usually good value.
5. Dessert and Fortified Wine
Dessert wines are sweet wines usually served in small glasses at the end of a meal. Fortified wines have grape spirit added, which raises the alcohol level and often leaves natural sweetness in the wine.
Port
A sweet, fortified red wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal, with flavors of dark berries, chocolate, and spice.
Sherry
A fortified wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain. Styles run from pale and bone dry to dark and very sweet.
Sauternes and Ice Wine
Sauternes is a golden sweet wine from Bordeaux. Ice wine is made from grapes that have frozen on the vine, which concentrates their sugar; Germany and Canada are the main producers.
Wine and cheese are a classic pairing, so see our guide to types of cheese next. For dinner ideas, try types of pasta and types of bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 main types of wine?
The five main types are red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert or fortified wine.
Which type of wine is best for beginners?
Lighter, fruitier wines are easiest to start with. Try Moscato or Pinot Grigio for white, Merlot or Pinot Noir for red, or a dry rosé.
What does “dry” wine mean?
A dry wine has little or no sugar left after fermentation, so it does not taste sweet. Most red wines and many whites are dry.
What is the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?
Champagne comes from France and gets its bubbles from a second fermentation inside the bottle. Prosecco comes from Italy, is made from the Glera grape, and gets its bubbles in a tank. Prosecco is usually fruitier and less expensive.
Which type of wine is the sweetest?
Dessert wines such as Port, Sauternes, and ice wine are the sweetest. Among everyday wines, Moscato and sweet Riesling are the sweetest choices.