Wine Styles Explained
Every wine style — how it's made, what it tastes like, its best food matches and what to buy.
Sparkling Wine
Carbon dioxide trapped during fermentation creates the trademark bubbles.
LuxuryChampagne
The chafing climate of the Champagne region gives bracing acidity that underpins every great cuvée.
Everyday JoyProsecco
Made largely from the Glera grape, usually by the Charmat (tank) method for fresh, pure fruit.
SummerRosé
Colour comes from brief skin contact - the paler the pink, usually the drier the wine.
TraditionRed Wine
Red wine's colour and tannin come from the grape skins in contact with the juice during fermentation.
FreshnessWhite Wine
Most whites are made from green-berried grapes with no skin contact, giving pale colour and fresh fruit.
PowerFull-Bodied Red
Dense colour, ripe dark fruit, firm tannins and moderate-to-high alcohol.
EleganceLight-Bodied Red
Bright, fresh fruit with gentle tannins and lively acidity.
BalanceOff-Dry & Semi-Sweet White
Perceived sweetness from residual sugar, balanced by high acidity.
IndulgenceSweet Dessert Wine
Intensity of sweetness balanced by bracing acidity.
StrengthFortified Wine
Port is sweet and concentrated; Sherry is dry and savoury (Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso).
CraftsmanshipOrange / Skin-Contact Wine
Based on white grapes (Rkatsiteli, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio) fermented with skins for days or weeks.
MinimalNatural Wine
Fermented with native yeasts, typically without added sugar.
Value SparkleCava
Made by traditional method from Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes.
French CharmCrémant
Made like Champagne, by traditional method, but from local grapes.
Winter TreasureIcewine & Eiswein
Grapes must be naturally frozen on the vine and picked at -8°C or lower.
After-DinnerPort-Style Wine
Fermentation is halted by adding brandy, leaving natural sweetness and higher alcohol.
Dinner & AperitifSherry-Style Wine
Fino and Manzanilla develop under flor, a film of yeast that protects against oxidation and imparts a briny, almond character.
Perfume & FloralsAromatic White
Aromatic varieties include Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Torrontés, Viognier and Riesling.
The Art of AssemblyBlended Wine
A blend draws on complementary grapes: structured tannins from one variety, perfume from another, acidity from a third.
Balance & Food-FriendlyMedium-Bodied Red
Medium-bodied reds fall between light Pinot Noir and powerful Cabernet: moderate tannins, fresh acidity, cherry and berry fruit.