An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
While rosé isn't the most popular type of wine out there, it’s still an important part of the spectrum. These grapes may be red, but they’re commonly used to make these types of wine.
Gewürztraminer may be hard to say, but it’s definitely not hard to drink. An aromatic white, it has a tropical fruit flavor and smells of lychee.
Not as big on reds? No worries. These whites from all around the world are here to impress.
Moscato comes in many shapes and forms, but all of them are sweet. Some have bubbles while others don’t, but in general the wine is both light-bodied and tropical.
A German wine, riesling is described as crisp. It is initially very acidic, with notes of orchard fruits such as apricots and nectarines, but then it’s balanced out by a sweet honey finish.
Another Italian grape, while this wine may look dark, it actually has a very light taste. It has a high acidity and light tannins, with a flavor profile boasting cherries, strawberries, and raspberries.
More full-bodied than many other rosés, this wine is a coral color and has floral notes that mix with red plum and cherry flavors.
See also: How to wine taste like a pro
A dry white wine, sauvignon blanc comes out of the same area as a cabernet sauvignon. It consists of heavy citrus notes with some herb/grass aromas.
A diamond in the rough, this Slovenian wine is definitely not well known. It's crisp and fresh, and contains some nuttier notes.
While still containing the blackberry and black cherry notes of many red wines, this central European wine also has allspice and pepper flavors. Highly acidic, it is medium-bodied.
These are the grapes that are used to create both merlot and cabernet sauvignon, but the grape can also be vinified on its own. Medium-bodied and dry, the cabernet franc has notes of cherry, black currant, and green vegetables.
Much like Champagne and Champagne, France, Chianti must come from the Chianti region of Italy to hold this name. It is made of 80% sangiovese grapes, and therefore bears much of the same flavor profile. The remaining 20% must be a mix of grapes grown in the Chianti region.
One of the most popular wines in the world, this type of wine originally comes from the region of Bordeaux in France. It is a full-bodied red, and is now grown all over the world.
Low amounts of tannins make this a light-bodied wine. It has berry notes and high acidity, and is one of the most planted grapes in the world.
A near relative of pinot noir (and definitely a cheaper alternative), gamay has floral notes, a fruity tone, and even has hints of banana!
While the merlot is a relative of the cabernet sauvignon, its flavor profile is not the same. It’s medium-bodied, and touts red fruit flavors.
Harvested in the cooler climates of the world, the pinot noir is made up of red-fruit notes and florals. It is light- to medium-bodied.
If you're a fan of reds, this is the section for you. Find out which wine should be paired with your next meat dish.
Though you may think of malbec as an Argentinian wine, its roots actually lie in France. A deep, full-bodied wine, it’s known for its fruity bouquet including black cherry, plum, and blackberry.
A wine full of bold flavor, this grape is known for its peppery and spicy taste in addition to its dark red fruit notes. It goes by the name shiraz in Australia, where the wine is the most popular.
The most widely planted grape in Italy, sangiovese changes flavors with its environment. It’s a savory wine, but some of the grapes can offer earth tones while others are more fruit oriented. Cherry flavors are almost always present, however.
Grown primarily in the US, zinfandel is a bold wine known for smoky and spicy notes, in addition to jam-like fruits. It’s one of the more alcoholic types of wine.
The tempranillo wine grape is the pride of Spain, as it is the main grape used in Rioja wine. Its name alludes to the fact that the grapes ripen earlier than many others. It has notes of dried fig and cedar.
Perfect for a summer day, the Italian pinot grigio is dry, crisp, and incredibly refreshing. This acidic wine has notes of pear, apple, lime, and lemon, but the flavor may vary depending on the location.
Fruity and floral, ribolla gialla is grown in northeast Italy and Slovenia. It can also be fermented with its skin to create what is known as “orange wine.”
This often full-bodied wine is arguably the most popular white in the world. It is often aged in oak barrels, and has a flavor profile that combines apple and pear with a buttery mouthfeel.
A thrilling mix of hibiscus, allspice, and orange, this rosé is one you’ll want to keep chilled. It has a fuller body, and is ruby red in color.
One of the biggest wines in Italy, the trebbiano yields fruit flavors such as lemon and white peach. It is also commonly used in the production of balsamic vinegar.
While its wine might not be as well known as some others on this list, Airén is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world. It’s from Spain, and has a medium body with an apple, citrus, and banana flavor profile.
If you're a wine drinker, you've probably figured out what kind of wines you like overall. However, do you find yourself reaching for the same type again and again? Indeed, once you find a wine you like, it's hard to change it up, especially if you don't know what else is out there.
Maybe you prefer dry and crisp, or maybe you're more into full-bodied and fruity. No matter what kind of wine you like, you're sure to find it here. Explore this gallery to find out what wine would suit your taste—you may be surprised!
Wine 101: A beginner's guide to flavor profiles
May 25 is Wine Day!
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If you're a wine drinker, you've probably figured out what kind of wines you like overall. However, do you find yourself reaching for the same type again and again? Indeed, once you find a wine you like, it's hard to change it up, especially if you don't know what else is out there.
Maybe you prefer dry and crisp, or maybe you're more into full-bodied and fruity. No matter what kind of wine you like, you're sure to find it here. Explore this gallery to find out what wine would suit your taste—you may be surprised!