How to Drink Wine: The Different Styles You Should Know

You’re probably here because you’ve decided to dive into the world of wine. While it can be an extremely curious industry, there’s no doubt that it can be quite overwhelming and intimidating for first-time wine drinkers.

If there’s anything you need to know about wine, it has a lot to do with style. This is because the whole cultivating and harvesting process can produce different types of wines that fall into different categories. This is why it’s important for wine collectors to understand the different styles and characteristics of wine to categorise accordingly.

When you get into the world of wine, it’s easy to get bogged down with technical terms like ‘barrels’ and ‘cellar-ageing’. This can be confusing. Instead, you will benefit more by focusing on the three different characteristics of wine: body, aroma, and taste.

So, if you’re curious to know the different styles of wine, keep reading—we’re here to share with you the different styles and categories of wine you should know.

Full-Bodied Red Wines

This type of wine is perfect for those who are looking for not just fruity flavours, but for full-bodied wines that are well balanced and complex. These wines are recommended for those who like to savour the taste of their drinks and want the experience to be more complex. You will find that most full-bodied red wines contain higher alcohol concentrations and higher levels of tannin, which give them a longer finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc fall under this category.

Medium-Bodied Red Wines

If you’re on the lookout for a lighter and more approachable wine, but don’t want to compromise on quality, then you might consider a medium-bodied wine. This type of wine is perfect for dinner gatherings as it’s quite easy to drink and can go along with all the courses of a meal. Medium-bodied wines have a light to medium body, with a fairly lower alcohol concentration, and are generally fruity and flowery in taste. Examples of medium-bodied wines are Merlot, Barbera, and Malbec.

Light-Bodied Red Wines

As the name suggests, this type of wine is the lightest of the bunch. If you’re looking for an everyday, easy-drinking red wine, then light-bodied red wines will be just right for you. Light-bodied red wines are generally light in flavour and body. They are generally less acidic and less intense than their counterparts. It’s the perfect wine to take with you on a picnic or a bbq.

Examples of light-bodied reds that wine collectors will have include Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Blaufränkisch.

Full-Bodied White Wines

If full-bodied reds are what you’re looking for, you can also find full-bodied white wines. These wines are perfect for those who are looking for a rich, fruity, and complex flavour. That’s because full-bodied white wines can be considered as lighter versions of the red counterpart. Full-bodied white wines are generally easy to drink and are great for relaxing.

Light-Bodied White Wines

On the other hand, now you can also find light-bodied white wines. Light-bodied white wines are the perfect choice for those who want a light, crisp, and fresh wine that is perfect for all occasions. Light-bodied white wines are the perfect addition to a summer picnic, where less intense flavours are more appreciated.

Rosé Wines

If you’re looking for a wine that’s perfect for any occasion, then rosé wines are perfect for you. Rosés wines are perfect for any occasion and can be considered as the all-around friend of all wines. That’s because rosé wines are generally light and fruity but are still full-bodied and complex. They’re perfect for light meals and long meals alike. Rosé wines come in different variations and are the perfect addition to any wine collection.

If you want to try Rosé wines, you can go for Grenache, Sangiovese, or Mourvèdre.

Aromatic White Wines

If you’ve ever been to a restaurant and thought that the wine was not just fruity, but had a specific aroma to it, then you’ve probably tried an aromatic wine. Aromatic wines are known for their aromatic properties, making them complex, interesting, and beautiful to taste.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, then aromatic wines are perfect for you because of their complex aromatic properties. However, these wines can be quite high in acidity, so you might have to take breaks between sips.

Dessert Wines

If you’re looking for a chilled out, sweet, and refreshing drink, then you might want to try a dessert wine. That’s because this wine category is all about sweet and sweet wines that can be served with or after meals. If you’re wondering whether it’s boozy, then it might come as a surprise that dessert wines actually contain low alcohol concentrations.

Dessert wines are high in sugar content and usually have high acidity levels. That’s because dessert wines are almost meant to be paired with desserts, not unlike Viognier and Riesling.

If you wonder what dessert wines are, then you might want to check the most popular dessert wines: Muscat, Sauternes.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are just one of those types of wines that are really fun to drink. That’s because sparkling wines are created by the process of fermentation and carbonation.

Sparkling wines are great for celebrations and other occasions that call for a celebratory drink. That’s because their carbonated properties and crisp acidity make them perfect for guests.

Now that you know the different styles of wine, you can categorise and organise them accordingly, just like seasoned wine collectors. That way, you can start collecting wine and revisit your favourites each time you drink them. You’ll be surprised to know that over time, you’ll develop your own taste and preference when it comes to wines, and you’ll know exactly which ones best suit your taste buds.

Cru Wine provides clients and wine collectors in the UK with a modern approach to wine by enriching their buying experience. At Cru Wine, we only offer the best of the best, so depending on what you’re looking for, whether you’re out to find the best vintage champagne or you’re looking for a specific region, we’re here to help.

Reach out to us and learn more about our selections today!