Guide to Wine

Wine says class. And often 12-13% alcohol by volume. Here's some basic info for the next time you're looking for a drink to complement your meal, trying to impress someone, or simply browsing ye old Spirit Shoppe for something new.

Types of Wine

The type of wine depends on the type of grape. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, these are all different types of grape/vine varieties. Knowing that is the first step.

Red Wines

• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel
• Cabernet
• Shiraz/Syrah
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chianti

White Wines

• Chardonnay
• Brut
• Muscat
• Pinot Grigio
• Riesling
• White Zinfandel
• Gewürztraminer

Comparison Guide

	RED	WHITE
Sweetest	Pinot Noir	Riesling
	Zinfandel	Chardonnay
	Cabernet	Chenin Blanc
	Syrah	Sauvignon Blac
Driest	Merlot	Brut
	RED	WHITE
Lightest	Merlot	Brut
	Zinfandel	Fume Blanc
	Chianti	Pinot Grigio
	Pinot Noir	Riesling
Heaviest	Cabernet	Chardonnay

Fortified Wines

Fortified wines are wines with more alcohol added, originally in order to preserve the wine on long trips overseas. The result is a sweeter, more powerful drink, referred to in the US as a Dessert wine.

• Sherry
• Port
• Marsala
• Madeira
• Vermouth
• Muscat
• MD 20/20
• Cisco
• Thunderbird
• Night Train
• Wild Irish Rose
• Ripple
• Boone's Farm
• Buckfast Tonic Wine
• After Dark
• Cool Breeze
• Red Rooster 21 / Red Lady 21
• Johnny Bootlegger

General Tips

Red wines are generally served at a cool room temperature. Many white whines should be chilled before imbibement with a meal. Really old wine is probably ok to drink because of its alcohol content, it's a matter of taste. Drink what you like, not what people tell you you should.

Sources

1. http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/basicwine/basicwine.html

2. http://www.wineintro.com