• Though there are many different types of wine, there are only a few basic ways to categorize them.red wine image by Wouter Tolenaars from Fotolia.com
  
  There are many different grape varietals grown throughout regions of the world that produce hundreds of different types of wine, so many so that it can be overwhelming for someone with little wine knowledge. However, while there are many different types, these may be grouped into a small list of basic categories: red, white, sparkling, rose and fortified wine. Learning these basics is the first step on the road toward becoming a wine connoisseur.
  
  

Red Wines

• Red wine gets its color from the grapes being fermented with the skins on.red wine image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  Red wine is made with red grapes. The wine gets its color not from the grapes themselves, but from the grapes being fermented with the skins on. The skins also increase the amount of tannin. Tannin gives red wines part of their flavor, and they also assist in the aging process. Popular varietals of red wine include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, Sangiovese, shiraz and red zinfandel.
  
  Cabernet is usually medium- to full-bodied and contains flavors of cherry and black currant. It is also high in tannin.
  
  Merlot is a softer wine with a low acidity and lower amounts of tannin. It has tastes of berry, spice, cherry and plum and blends well with cabernet.
  
  Pinot noir is a difficult wine to make and must be produced under certain conditions. It is lighter in color and softer than both cabernet and merlot and is often fruity with flavors of cherry, strawberry and vanilla. It also tends to have an earthy quality and pairs well with many foods.
  
  Sangiovese is a famous grape produced in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. It is a complex wine. Medium- to full-bodied and rich in tannin, it pairs nicely with well-seasoned foods.
  
  Known as syrah in France and the United States, and as shiraz in South Africa and Australia, this wine contains low acidity and is very easy to drink. It is known for its fruity and spicy or peppery qualities.
  
  

White Wines

• White wine is most often made with white grapes.white wine image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
  
  White wine is most often made with white grapes, though it is possible to make with red grapes, because the juice is separated from the skins before fermentation. For this reason, white wine also contains much less tannin than red wine. Popular varietals of white wine include chardonnay, Riesling, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc.
  
  Chardonnay is probably the most popular white wine in the United States though the grapes are grown all over the world. Almost all chardonnay is oaked, meaning it is aged in expensive oak barrels, or, for less expensive types, soaked in oak chips. This typically gives the wine flavors of smoke or vanilla. Other flavors often present in chardonnay are butter, apple and spice.
  
  Riesling is often made as a sweet wine though it can also be dry. It is known for its fruity and floral taste and aroma, and it is one of the few wines that pairs well with chocolate.
  
  Pinot grigio is produced in Italy; its counterpart, pinot gris, is produced in France and the United States. This wine is light and fruity yet dry and often contains flavors of peach, melon and citrus.
  
  Sauvignon blanc is a light, acidic wine that is rarely oaked and often contains flavors of grass or herbs, as well as apples and citrus. Because of its crisp acidity, it pairs well with highly flavored foods.
  
  

Sparkling Wine and Champagne

• Sparkling wine is characterized by bubbles.bubbly image by Anne-Marie Walker from Fotolia.com
  
  Sparkling wine is characterized by bubbles produced by carbon dioxide that forms in the bottle during a second fermentation process. Although there are several different types of sparkling wine, the most popular and well known is Champagne. It must come from the Champagne region of France for it to be called Champagne. There are several different types, ranging from dry to sweet: Brut, extra-dry, sec and demi-sec. Other types of sparkling wine include cava from Spain, cape classic from South Africa, Sekt from Germany, and Italy's Asti Supmanti.
  
  

Rose Wine

• White Zinfandel is a rose wine.rose wine in crystal glass, isolated on white image by Tamara Kulikova from Fotolia.com
  
  Rose wine is made from red grapes. It is pink in color, because the grapes are allowed to stay in contact with the skins for a short period of time. Rose wines can range from dry to sweet, though most wine drinkers prefer the dry type. White Zinfandel is a well-known type of rose wine, though it is often highly criticized for being too sweet. In general, rose wines have been gaining more popularity and respect in recent years as winemakers are realizing their potential.
  
  

Fortified Wine

• Port and sherry are usually served in smaller glasses as after-dinner drinks.Glass of Port image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com
  
  Fortified wine, also known as dessert wine, has a higher alcohol content than most other wines. The most well-known types are Madeira, Marsala, port and sherry. Madeira and Marsala are often used for cooking, while port and sherry are usually enjoyed as after-dinner drinks.