Wine is a spirit that is made from fermented grapes.  In the process of fermentation of grapes, yeast is added to grapes, and thus, ethanol and carbon dioxide are the resultant produce. The types of wine are the various types of grapes and strains of yeast being used as the taste of wine depends on the two of these.

Wine has been produced for almost a few thousand years, and its significant consumption is only for its alcoholic effect of intoxication. The wines are categorized into five varieties under which all other types of wine can be categorized.

 

Types of Wine

The primary types of wine are:

 

1) Red Wine

It is made by the same fermentation process like the white wine but, the grape seed, grape skin, and pip are all included in the process. Red wine is generally fermented at a higher temperature than other wines to extract bolder, deeper, more vibrant color and aroma to the wine.

Red wine can further be categorized as:

• Pinot Noir: The perfect red, red wine with amazing rosy and rhubarb like flavor to it.

• Zinfandel: This is a mediocre wine with a blast of flavors in your mouth.

• Syrah: It is a bold red wine with a blueberry like citric taste with hints of tobacco and black pepper zing to it.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: This is one of the best red wine varieties known today. It is a bold and robust red wine with Black currant like taste with hints of cedar.

• Merlot: One of the classic wines with its in-depth ad vibrant personality, this wine has hints of coffee in its flavor.

• Carmenere: A modest and mild wine. Perfectly acidic and not as bold as other red wines.

 

2) White Wine

White wine, as the name suggests, is not extracted from white grapes. It is actually extracted from red or black grapes, but the colored pigment is extracted out entirely, and only the uncolored juice is left behind. White wine has a robust flavor and character.

The various subtypes of white wine are:

• Riesling: This wine is high on its acidity value and subtly sweet with mild citric notes to its taste. 

• Pinot Gris: The delicacy of lime combines with the floral white and cheesy rind to form the perfect glass of this white wine. 

• Sauvignon Blanc: This one is a dry wine with citrus and herby taste to it. 

• Chardonnay: Chardonnay is a white-yellowish wine with citrus zing and cinnamon-like flavor to it.

• Tempranillo: A native Spanish grape used in many local wines with a bold and deep body and low acidity and yet it has a high kick to it.

 

3) Rose Wine: Rose wine has a beautiful pinkish color to it. It is not fermented for long. It has low tannin levels. Many consumers make rose win by mixing the red and white wine in quantity to get a perfect rose pink shade to their drink.

One of the most famous rose wines is:

• White Zinfandel: If you wish to enjoy a light and fruity wine. Then this peachy wine with rich flavors of peach and strawberries is just perfect for your day.

 

4) Sparkling Wine

The carbon dioxide content gives some fizz to this winemaking; it appears sparkly and pretty. These are generally associated with celebrations and festivities.

Champagne is sparkling wine but only if it has been manufactured in Champagne region in France.

 

5) Dessert Wine

As the name suggests, dessert wine is for after meals and is usually sweeter than the other types of wine. These are typically served in a short and small glass.

 

6) Fortified Wine

Those wines in which spirit or brandy is added during fermentation are called fortified wines.

 

7) Iced Wine

It is not just any wine with ice. It takes a whole lot of effort to make iced wine. The grapes for making iced wine are left on grapevines till December t=where the winter frost complete freezes them. Then the wholly frozen rock-hard grapes go through the process of fermentation, especially at night to get the perfectly flavored iced wine. These are pretty expensive and are considered sweet.

 

Different Types of Wine Extracted from Honey and Other Fruits

These were the commonly known categories. But, as time has progressed, wines are not just being extracted from grapes anymore. The best part is in the world today you have such varieties of wine available which are extracted from honey and other fruits. These wines are:

 

1) Mead: Unlike other alcoholic beverages, this is made by the fermentation of honey and water. It has a sweet taste. Further flavors and tastes of mead also depend on the source of honey and yeast being used for fermentation. Many variants of mead are available, including regional ones too.

Some mead varieties are: Metheglin, Mulled Mead, Melomel, and Pyment.

 

2)  Starch-Based Wines

At times grain fermented drinks are called wines instead of beers due to the similarity in the alcohol content between them and wine. Since grains are rich in starch, such varieties are called starch-based wines.

 

3) Fruit Wines

These days fruits other than grapes are also being used to make wines. They also have added flavors from herbs and other flowers at times. Various examples of the fruit wines are:

Plum Wine, Pineapple Wine, Rose Hip Wine, Cherry wine, and Orange Wine.

 

Health Benefits of Wine

After reading these benefits, you will be tempted to pour a glass but, remember it is still alcohol and does come with similar harmful effects too.

1) It has high antioxidant content and, thus, is excellent for your cardiovascular health. Anti – Oxidants prevent the free radical occurrence in your body, and so keep the risk of fatal diseases at bay.

2) It is also known to help in boosting your immunity.

3) Red wine is rich in silicon, and thus, it aids in maintaining healthy bones.

4) Regular but controlled consumption of wine prevents blood clotting, and so it reduces the risk of strokes by helping to thin of the blood.

5) Certain compounds in wine assist in the improvement of brain functioning by improving the health of your neurons.

Conclusion

As can be seen, Wine has several health benefits to offer, but like all other alcoholic drinks, even wine can cause addiction and has a varied list of its harmful effects as well. Just like other alcohols, wine can create addiction too. It can have the same side effect, like any other variety of ethanol. But, due to its beneficial effects, a little wine then and now does not harm. So, enlist your favorite ones in the comments section.