<p>Certain wine glasses perform better than others (there&#8217;s actually some science to back this up). So, what are the best wine glasses for you? </p>
<p>You can drink wine from whatever vessel you want, be it a wine glass, coffee mug, mason jar, or Dixie cup. You can ditch the glass altogether and drink straight from the bottle for all I care.</p>
<p>However, using the right glass can greatly improve the taste of wine. And the good news is, they won&#8217;t cost you a fortune either. (Unless of course, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/we-tested-5-of-the-worlds-best-wine-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">you&#8217;re obsessed&#8230;</a>)</p>
<h2>The Importance of a Proper Glass</h2>
<figure id="attachment_11479" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11479" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-11479" src="https://media.winefolly.com/selecting-the-proper-wine-drink-glass.jpg" alt="Selecting the best wine glasses" width="1200" height="900" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11479" class="wp-caption-text">There are many different wine glasses to choose, but the fundamental shape is the same.</figcaption></figure>
<p>There is scientific evidence that supports the importance of glass shape.</p>
<p>In 2015, a Japanese medical group used a special camera <a href="https://media.winefolly.com/EA112021-BA5A-4D7A-BB7B-93C70833DDC3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">to record images</a> of ethanol vapors in different glasses. In their <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2015/AN/C4AN02390K?referring_site=WFY" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">study</a>, the research group showed how different glass shapes affected the density and position of vapors at the openings of various glasses.</p>
<p>Why do vapors matter? Well, they carry <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/where-wine-flavors-come-from/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">aromatic compounds</a> into your nose. Aromatic compounds are responsible for producing the vast majority of <a href="https://shop.winefolly.com/collections/tasting-tools/products/wine-flavors-chart" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">flavors in wine.</a></p>
<p class="alert alert-secondary"><strong>WATCH VIDEO:</strong> We tested 5 of the <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/we-tested-5-of-the-worlds-best-wine-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">world&#8217;s best wine glasses.</a></p>
<hr class="soften">
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7269" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Types-of-Wine-Glasses-Chart.png" alt="Types of Wine Glasses Chart by Wine Folly" width="1600" height="2045" /></p>
<h2>Why Are There So Many Glasses For Wine?</h2>
<p>Of the many different wine glasses available, you&#8217;ll find that certain shapes are better for enjoying certain types of wine.</p>
<p>By the way, it doesn&#8217;t really matter if your glass is stemmed or stemless. It&#8217;s more about how the shape of the vessel collects aromas and deposits wine into your mouth. (I know some of you enthusiasts will strongly disagree! 😉 )</p>
<p>Below is a summary of the primary glass shapes and the wines that tend to perform well in these shapes.</p>
<figure id="attachment_15739" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15739" style="width: 416px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/not-a-good-wine-glass.jpg" alt="Not a good wine glass at all" width="416" height="448" class="size-full wp-image-15739" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-15739" class="wp-caption-text">Nope.</figcaption></figure>
<p>First things first: You know those stemmed glasses that you fill all the way to the top? Those aren&#8217;t wine glasses. They&#8217;re hipster cups.</p>
<p>To taste flavors in wine, you need space above the wine to collect aromas.</p>
<hr class="soften">
<figure id="attachment_11481" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11481" style="width: 900px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-11481" src="https://media.winefolly.com/white-wine-glasses-choices.jpg" alt="Types of white wine glasses by Wine Folly" width="900" height="900" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11481" class="wp-caption-text">One type of white wine glass is better at maintaining a cool temperature. The other is better at collecting aromas.</figcaption></figure>
<h4>White Wine Glasses</h4>
<p>White wines are typically served in smaller bowled glasses. Smaller glasses:</p>
<ul>
<li>Preserve floral aromas</li>
<li>Maintain cooler temperature</li>
<li>Express more acidity in wine</li>
<li>Delivers more aromas (even at cooler temperatures) due to proximity to the nose</li>
</ul>
<p>You&#8217;ll notice that full-bodied white wines like <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/chardonnay-wine-guide/">oak-aged Chardonnay</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/viognier-vee-own-yay-wine-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Viognier</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/amazing-white-rioja-wines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">White Rioja</a>, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/orange-wine/">orange wines</a> are better with a larger bowl.</p>
<p>The larger bowl, initially introduced by Riedel as a <a href="https://www.riedel.com/restaurant/collection/d/sommeliers-black-tie/montrachet-chardonnay/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">&#8220;Montrachet&#8221; glass</a>, better emphasizes a creamy texture because of the wider mouth.</p>
<hr class="soften">
<figure id="attachment_15736" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15736" style="width: 900px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-15736" src="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/types-of-red-wine-glasses-winefolly.jpg" alt="Different types of red wine glasses to consider by Wine Folly" width="900" height="900" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-15736" class="wp-caption-text">The 3 primary red wine glass shapes help moderate high tannin wines, deliver more aromas, or make spicy-tasting wines more rounded.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Red Wine Glasses</h3>
<p>The choice of a red wine glass has a lot to do with mitigating the <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-tannins-in-wine/">bitterness of tannin</a> or spicy flavors to deliver a smoother-tasting wine.</p>
<p>After a few years of tasting wines from different glasses, we&#8217;ve noticed that red wines tend to taste smoother from a glass with a wide opening. Of course, the distance to the actual fluid affects <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/how-to-taste-wine-develop-palate/">what you smell.</a></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15737" src="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/red-wine-glass-shape-matter-winefolly-infographic.jpg" alt="Red wine glass shapes and wines. Illustration by Wine Folly" width="900" height="900" /></p>
<h4>Large &#8220;Bordeaux&#8221; Glass</h4>
<p>This glass shape is best with bolder red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/cabernet-franc-wine-guide/">Cabernet Franc</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/alicante-bouschet-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alicante Bouschet</a> or <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-grape-varieties-make-up-a-bordeaux-blend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bordeaux Blends.</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Delivers more aroma compounds vs. the burn of ethanol from being farther from the nose</li>
<li>Larger surface area to let ethanol evaporate</li>
<li>Wider opening makes wines taste smoother</li>
</ul>
<h4>&#8220;Standard&#8221; Red Wine Glass</h4>
<p>A great glass for medium- to full-bodied red wines with spicy notes and/or high alcohol.</p>
<p>Spice is softened because flavors progressively hit your tongue from the smaller opening. Try wines like Zinfandel, Malbec, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/the-secrets-to-syrah-wine/">Syrah (Shiraz)</a>, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/petite-sirah-wine-guide/">Petite Sirah</a> with this glass.</p>
<h4>Aroma Collector &#8220;Bourgogne&#8221; Glass</h4>
<p>A great choice for lighter, more delicate red wines with subtle aromas. The large round bowl helps collect all the aromas. Try this glass shape with <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/pinot-noir-wine-facts/">Pinot Noir</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/tasters-guide-to-gamay-wine/">Gamay</a>, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/cotton-candy-wine-schiava/">Schiava</a>, Freisa, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/valpolicella-wine-pyramid/">Valpolicella blends,</a> and even <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/barolo-barbaresco-italy-nebbiolo-regions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nebbiolo!</a></p>
<hr class="soften">
<p><a href="https://media.winefolly.com/sparkling-dessert-wine-glasses-choices.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11484" src="https://media.winefolly.com/sparkling-dessert-wine-glasses-choices.jpg" alt="Sparkling wine, dessert wine and other specialty wine glasses by Wine Folly" width="900" height="900" /></a></p>
<h3>Specialty Wine Glasses</h3>
<p>Depending on what you drink the most, you may find a reason to pick up a few specialty wine glasses.</p>
<p>For example, we cannot live without our official Port glass (shown above on the right). It&#8217;s small size and narrow mouth reduces evaporation (it&#8217;s a high alcohol wine).</p>
<p>That said, I&#8217;ve broken almost every <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/champagne-flutes-or-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Champagne flute</a> I&#8217;ve purchased (flailing arm syndrome).</p>
<hr class="soften">
<figure id="attachment_17050" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17050" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-17050" src="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/glass.jpg" alt="We tested the best wine glasses - Wine Folly" width="1920" height="1080" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17050" class="wp-caption-text">We tested five universal wine glasses and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/we-tested-5-of-the-worlds-best-wine-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here&#8217;s what we learned.</a></figcaption></figure>
<h3>What About &#8220;Universal&#8221; Glasses?</h3>
<p>A few glass manufacturers, including Zalto and Gabriel-Glas, offer a &#8220;universal glass.&#8221;</p>
<p>This is a great idea for the space-saving, pragmatic enthusiast who doesn&#8217;t want to bother with all the different shapes. Both aforementioned glass brands are of exceptional quality (starting at $30 a stem!), so it&#8217;s hard to fuss over the subtle differences in taste delivery.</p>
<p>That said, if you&#8217;re someone who &#8220;only drinks bold reds&#8221; you might be better served with a biggy-sized Bordeaux glass (like the one displayed above).</p>
<hr class="soften">
<h4>Questionnaire: Which Wine Glasses Should <em>I</em> Buy?</h4>
<p>Answer these questions <em>truthfully</em> to figure out what kind of stemware to buy.</p>
<ol>
<li>Do you hand wash special kitchen tools such as knives?</li>
<li>Do you have places to store tall wine glasses?</li>
<li>Do you enjoy a glass of wine almost every night?</li>
<li>Do you wash your dishes after dinner?</li>
<li>Do you find pleasure <a title="How to Clean Wine Glasses Properly" href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/how-to-clean-wine-glasses-properly/">in cleaning and organizing</a> your kitchen or bathroom?</li>
<li>Do you have safe areas that are off-limits to kids?</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>If you answered mostly &#8220;No&#8221;</strong> Owning fine <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/crystal-vs-glass-when-it-comes-to-wine-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">crystal stemware</a> will drive you insane. Instead, get glassware or stemless crystal glasses. These will be easier to maintain and won&#8217;t give you a conniption if they break. You can also wash them in the dishwasher.</p>
<p><strong>If you answered mostly &#8220;Yes&#8221;</strong> You are neurotic enough to keep crystal glassware clean and sparkly. (Yes!) You should look into getting a set of 6 matching crystal wine glasses that you can use for years to come.</p>


How To Choose The Best Wine Glasses For You

<p><strong>Get ready to take the wine challenge.</strong>  Tasting through the 9 styles of wine and <a href="https://winefolly.com/update/top-wine-regions-of-the-world/">12 top wine producing countries</a> offers the most profound knowledge of wine. You&#8217;ll never see wine the same way again. </p>
<div class="alert alert-secondary"><strong><i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i></strong> Prepare for the <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/wine-tasting-challenge/">wine challenge.</a></div>
<p><a href="https://media.winefolly.com/9-styles-of-wine1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/9-styles-of-wine1.jpg" alt="Everything you need to know about wine" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10883" /></a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>The 9 Styles of Wine</h5>
<ol class="uk-margin-top-remove">
<li><a href="#sparkling">Sparkling Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#light-white">Light-Bodied White Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#full-white">Full-Bodied White Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#aromatic-white">Aromatic (sweet) White Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#rose">Rosé Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#light-red">Light-Bodied Red Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#medium-red">Medium-Bodied Red Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#full-red">Full-Bodied Red Wine</a></li>
<li><a href="#dessert">Dessert Wine</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<h4>A little back story&#8230;</h4>
<p>I can recall the single moment when wine became a fascination.  Believe me, it wasn&#8217;t classy.</p>
<p>I was slouching in this $5 Goodwill velveteen swivel chair (that I rolled home on a skateboard) while clinching a glass of wine.  </p>
<p>I was a 22-year-old-art-school-grad living in Los Angeles with a low-paying day job. (but a job, none-the-less!) My dad bought me a wine subscription and for someone like me, it was precious!   </p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;The disarming flavor quickly turned into an obsession&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>In fact, the wine subscription became the highlight of my month: dinner with my best friend Justin and a bottle of wine.  That particular night, I tasted my first-ever Côtes du Rhône and it smelled like black olives.</p>
<p>This was the first time I can remember really tasting more than fruit in a wine.  The disarming flavor quickly turned into an obsession, the only problem was: I had no idea what to explore next.</p>
<hr class="soften">
<h3>The 9 Styles of Wine</h3>
<p>As diverse as wine is, most bottles can be categorized into 9 different styles. Once you taste an example the 9 styles, you&#8217;ll gain a good understanding of wine <em>as a whole. </em> </p>
<p>It&#8217;s important to note that there are many nuances and subtle differences (and a few exceptions). That being said, if you&#8217;re just getting started, this is a great way to do it.  </p>
<p><strong>Consider it a homework assignment.  </strong></p>
<p>Taste a wine from the 9 different styles over the next month and a half…(or so) and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/write-excellent-wine-tasting-notes/">take good notes.</a></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Cava-Wine-Folly.png" alt="Flavor Profile Cava Sparkling Wine by Wine Folly Book" width="700" height="700" id="sparkling" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10874" /></p>
<h4>Sparkling Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd> If you already love sparkling wine, give yourself a pat on the back for your exquisite taste.  This wine first came about in France and is synonymous with the region of Champagne.  Despite the lowly appeal of many grocery store options (e.g. Cook&#8217;s), sparkling wines are the most technically challenging and time intensive wines made in the world.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>Champagne is often too price restrictive, so instead, keep your eyes peeled for <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/how-much-sugar-in-brut-champagne/">Brut-level sparklers</a> (i.e. not sweet) like Cava, Prosecco, Crémant or perhaps a $12–16 American bubbly.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Pinot-Gris-Wine-Folly.png" id="light-white" alt="Flavor-Profile-Pinot-Gris-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10875" /></p>
<h4>Light-Bodied White Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>These light easy-drinking dry white wines are some of the most-sold wines in the world (even if red wines get more attention).  Light whites are like the &#8220;beer of wine&#8221; and, for this reason, they are perfect to drink with most foods.  Some of these wines are perfect for savory lovers (like Sauv. Blanc and Grüner) with green herbal flavors of gooseberry and bell pepper.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>Wines that fit into this category include Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) and Sauvignon Blanc but they also include many lesser known wines like Grüner Veltliner, Albariño and Soave (&#8220;swah-vay&#8221;).  I would highly recommend looking for a wine from a cool climate region (imagine the places with a rainy month of June).   Cool climates produce some of the best examples of this light, zesty style.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Chardonnay-Wine-Folly.png" alt="Flavor-Profile-Chardonnay-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" id="full-white" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10876" /></p>
<h4>Full-Bodied White Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>Full-bodied white wines are perfect for red wine lovers because of their rich smooth taste with subtle creaminess.  What makes them different than light white wines usually involves special winemaking techniques including the use of oak-aging, (just like aged whiskeys, wine becomes smoother with barrel aging too).</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>The classic choice for this wine is <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/chardonnay-wine-guide/">Chardonnay</a> and particularly Chardonnay from a warmer climate (like California, Spain or Italy).  Beside Chardonnay, another great option in this style is Viognier.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Riesling-Wine-Folly.png" id="aromatic-white"  alt="Flavor-Profile-Riesling-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10877" /></p>
<h4>Aromatic (sweet) White Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>Aromatic grapes are some of the oldest wine varieties in the world.  In fact, <a href="https://winefolly.com/update/8-details-about-wine-that-will-cultivate-you/">Cleopatra is noted for her love of Muscat of Alexandria</a> from Greece<em>–a lovely rich aromatic white wine.</em>  These wines have explosive, almost perfumed, aromas that spring out of the glass into your nose.  They can be either dry or sweet, but most will taste a touch sweet due to all those perfume-y aromas.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>There are many great aromatic wines to try, and most are shockingly affordable.   A few examples of these include Moscato d&#8217;Asti, <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/dry-gewurztraminer/">Gewürztraminer</a>, Torrontés (great if you like a more dry style), and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/the-tasters-guide-to-riesling-wine/">Riesling</a>.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Rose-Wine-Folly.png" alt="Flavor-Profile-Rose-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10878" id="rose" /></p>
<h4>Rosé Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-rose-wine/">Rosé is a true winemaker&#8217;s wine</a> because it&#8217;s made by &#8220;dying&#8221; a wine for only a short time with the skins of red wine grapes.  Rosé wines were first popularized in the late 1700&#8217;s when French wines imported in England <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/8-wines-every-red-wine-lover-know/">were called &#8220;Claret&#8221;</a> (sounds like &#8220;Clairette&#8221;) to describe their pale red color.   Today, you can find rosé wines <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/guide-styles-of-rose-wine/">of all styles (sweet or dry)</a> made from many different grapes from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel (known commonly as White Zinfandel)</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>Instead of the sweet version, try a more dry style Rosé to taste its subtle elegant flavors. Some of the most classic versions of dry rosé come from <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/provence-wine-region-guide-with-maps/">Southern France in Provence</a> and the Pays d&#8217;Oc region.  The varieties used to make these wines include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/mourvedre-wine/">Mourvèdre</a> -which are all red wine varieties!  Since rosé is made everywhere, perhaps stick to one made with one or several of the aforementioned varieties to experience a classic rosé.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Pinot-Noir-Wine-Folly.png" id="light-red" alt="Flavor-Profile-Pinot-Noir-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10879" /></p>
<h4>Light-Bodied Red Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>Light-bodied red wines are typically <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-color-chart/">pale in color</a> (you can see through them in a glass) and have very light tannin.  FYI, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-tannins-in-wine/">tannin tastes astringent</a> in wine and dries your mouth out in the same way that putting a wet tea bag on your tongue would.  For this reason, light red wines are some of the most coveted wines in the world.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>The classic light red wine that most people know is <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/5-facts-about-pinot-noir/">Pinot Noir</a> but, besides that, Gamay Noir is another great wine to try in this category.  Gamay is most known by the name of a region where it grows <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/beaujolais-wine-region-map/">called Beaujolais.</a></dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Grenache-Wine-Folly.png" alt="Flavor-Profile-Grenache-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" id="medium-red" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10880" /></p>
<h4>Medium-Bodied Red Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>Medium red wines are what I like to call &#8220;food wines.&#8221; They offer up tons of flavor with a balance of zesty acidity which makes them match with a wide variety of foods (from zesty salads to rich and cheesy lasagna).  These are the perfect mid-week wines for red wine lovers.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>There are many varieties that span the mid-weight red wine category so, to name a few familiar ones, check out Grenache, Sangiovese, Merlot, Zinfandel, Montepulciano, Cabernet Franc and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/guide-to-barbera-wine/">Barbera</a>.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Syrah-Wine-Folly.png" id="full-red" alt="Flavor-Profile-Syrah-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10881" /></p>
<h4>Full-Bodied Red Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>Full-bodied red wines are the deepest darkest and most tannic of all the red wines.  Tannin might sound weird and bitter but the tannin in wine binds to proteins in our saliva and it has a palate-cleansing effect.  This is why a bold red wine <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-with-lamb-steak-red-meat/">pairs so wonderfully with a juicy, fatty steak like ribeye.</a>  Full-bodied red wines are also quite pleasing and stand on their own as a cocktail wine.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>You&#8217;ve no doubt experienced one of these wines if you&#8217;re a wine lover, they include Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and even <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/give-pinotage-wine-taste/">Pinotage</a>.  These are perfect examples of how bold a wine can be.</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
<hr>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Flavor-Profile-Port-Wine-Folly.png" alt="Flavor-Profile-Port-Wine-Folly" width="1000" height="1000" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10882" id="dessert" /></p>
<h4>Dessert Wine</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Background</dt>
<dd>In the mid to late 1800&#8217;s, sweet wines were more popular than dry wines.  In fact, several of the most exalted wines in the world, from Sauternes in Bordeaux to <em>Essencia</em> from Hungary, are practically as thick as maple syrup.  Dessert wines today now range from dry to sweet and are some of the boldest, most intensely flavored (and aromatic) wines in the world.</dd>
<dt>What to try</dt>
<dd>There are many <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/types-dessert-wine/">different types of dessert wines</a> to explore however, if you can start with a <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-port-wine/">Port </a>or a Sauternais-styled wine (a late harvest white wine), you&#8217;ll have a great preview of what dessert wines can offer.</dd>
</dl>
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<h3>Your Homework</h3>
<p>It&#8217;s time to get tasting a wine from each of the styles listed above!  I highly recommend <strong>finding wines through a local specialty wine store.</strong>  These shops tend to be curated and retailers often take the time to help you find the wines you&#8217;ll like (and what you&#8217;re looking for).  As you get into it, you&#8217;ll quickly hone in on your favorite style.  </p>
<p>Happy drinking and Salut!</p>
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<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/wine-tasting-challenge/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/34-wine-challenge-400x300.jpg" alt="The 34 Wine Tasting Challenge by Wine Folly" width="400" height="300" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10885" /></a></p>
<h5>Take on the Wine Tasting Challenge</h5>
<p>Challenge yourself to taste 34 wines from 12 different countries.  </p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/wine-tasting-challenge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="btn btn-secondary btn-lg">See List</a></p>
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The 9 Primary Styles of Wine

<p>To simplify the concept of wine sweetness, you can compare wines on this chart.  Although not all wine conforms to the generalizations within, you can still learn a great deal about how to find wine in the sweetness range you prefer.  </p>
<figure id="attachment_25627" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25627" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/wine-sweetness-chart-tiny.jpg" alt="2022 Wine Sweetness Chart" width="1200" height="1595" class="size-full wp-image-25627" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25627" class="wp-caption-text">Wine Folly&#8217;s <a href="https://shop.winefolly.com/collections/posters/products/wine-sweetness-chart-poster" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Wine Sweetness Chart</a> (updated in 2022).</figcaption></figure>
<h2><i class="fa fa-graph"></i>Wine Sweetness Chart</h2>
<p>Some wines are so dry that they scrape the moisture from your tongue and make the inside of your mouth stick to your teeth.  On the other end of the spectrum, some wines are so sweet that they stick to the sides of your glass like motor oil.  </p>
<h3>Why Some Dry Wines Taste “More Dry” Than Others</h3>
<p>Wine writers <a href="https://winefolly.com/tips/wine-descriptions-chart-infographic/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">have put words</a> to the concept of dryness for years and food scientists have actually studied why some wines taste drier than others. Both groups claim that aroma, <a href="https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-are-wine-tannins/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">tannin</a>, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/understanding-acidity-in-wine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">acidity</a> are key components to why a wine might taste &#8220;dry.&#8221;  </p>
<figure id="attachment_25628" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25628" style="width: 1314px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/wine-sweetness-chart-RED-1.jpg" alt="Wine Sweetness Red" width="1314" height="872" class="size-full wp-image-25628" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25628" class="wp-caption-text">Red wines have tannin, making them taste less sweet than they actually are.</figcaption></figure>
<h4>You Might Be More Sensitive to Tannin Than Others</h4>
<p>What&#8217;s interesting <a href="https://winefolly.com/episode/what-are-wine-tannins-wine-101-videos-ep-6/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">about tannin</a> is that some people have higher sensitivities to tannin based on the number of proteins naturally present in their saliva.  </p>
<p>People with more proteins in their saliva do not feel the drying effect of tannin as much as people with less.  Another interesting fact is that the taste of tannin is reduced when paired with salty and fatty foods. </p>
<figure id="attachment_25629" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25629" style="width: 1314px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/wine-sweetness-chart-WHITE-1.jpg" alt="Wine Sweetness White" width="1314" height="874" class="size-full wp-image-25629" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25629" class="wp-caption-text">White wines have higher acidity, which can make them taste less sweet.</figcaption></figure>
<h4>Acidity Tricks Our Perception of Wine Sweetness</h4>
<p>Sour counterbalances sweet. A wine that has higher acidity will taste more ‘dry’ than a wine with less acidity. Several producers of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will leave a couple of <a href="https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-is-residual-sugar-in-wine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grams of residual sugar</a> in their wines because the acidity is so high.  </p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/smell-red-wine-nose.jpg" alt="Women Smelling a Glass of Red Wine by Wine Folly" width="800" height="483" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9450" /></p>
<h4>Smell “Primes” Our Sense of Taste</h4>
<p>Our sense of smell also greatly affects our perception of sweetness. As you can imagine, a wine that smells sweeter will also taste sweeter.  Wine varieties are often referred to as <a href="https://winefolly.com/tips/common-flower-aromas-in-wine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&#8216;aromatic&#8217; because of their sweet floral aromas</a>.  </p>
<p>A few examples of this are <a href="https://winefolly.com/riesling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Riesling</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/gewurztraminer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gewürztraminer</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/torrontes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Torrontés</a>, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/moscato-wine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moscato.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.winefolly.com/collections/posters/products/wine-sweetness-chart-poster" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="btn btn-lg btn-primary">Explore the Wine Sweetness Chart Poster</a></p>
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Wine Sweetness Chart

Common Types of Wine (The Top Varieties)

<p>Want more confidence in buying Burgundy wine? This simple guide includes maps, infographics, and the essential facts on Burgundy&#8217;s five major sub-regions. Know which regions are better for Chardonnay vs. Pinot Noir.</p>
<h2>Guide to Burgundy Wine Regions</h2>
<p>The French Wine region of Burgundy (aka &#8220;<em>Bourgogne</em>&#8220;) may be small in size, but its influence is huge in the world of vino. The complexity of Burgundy can cast fear into the heart of even a seasoned wine pro, but fear not – the region need only be as complicated as you want it to be.</p>
<p>Yes, it is home to some of the most expensive wines in the known universe, but there are also tasty and affordable wines.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/chardonnay-pinot-noir-bourgogne-blanc-rouge-winefolly.jpg" alt="Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the two primary grapes of Bourgogne (Burgundy) Blanc and Rouge wines - illustration by Wine Folly" width="1200" height="1200" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15195" /></p>
<h3>Just The Facts</h3>
<p>The easiest way to wrap your brain around Burgundy is to understand that there are only two grape varieties to remember:<br />
<a href="/grapes/pinot-noir">Pinot Noir</a> and <a href="/grapes/chardonnay">Chardonnay</a></p>
<p>There are others too, of course, like <a href="/grapes/aligote">Aligoté</a>, <a href="/grapes/pinot-gris">Pinot Gris</a>, <a href="/grapes/gamay">Gamay</a>, and <a href="/grapes/sauvignon-blanc">Sauvignon Blanc</a>, but the primary focus of Burgundy&#8217;s production is Pinot Noir for <em>Bourgogne Rouge</em> and Chardonnay for <em>Bourgogne Blanc.</em></p>
<p>To the Burgundy <em>vigneron</em> (winemaker), the region is not only the original home of these grapes, but the <em>terroir</em> (&#8220;tear-wah&#8221;) that best expresses their character: elegant, aromatic, and complex.</p>
<p><strong>What is Terroir?</strong> <em>Terroir</em> is the symbiosis of grapes, soil, climate, vineyard placement, and human touch all rolled into one. Burgundy is all about terroir – <a href="https://winefolly.com/episode/minerality-in-wine/" title="3 Ways to Taste Minerality in Wine" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">it&#8217;s not just the taste of rocks!</a> </p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/burgundy-wine-guide-map.jpg" alt="burgundy-wine-guide-map" width="960" height="720" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20632" /></p>
<h3>Where Exactly is Burgundy?</h3>
<p>Located in the east-central part of France, Burgundy has five primary wine-growing areas (not including Beaujolais and Châtillonnais):</p>
<ul>
<li>Chablis &#8211; <em>&#8220;shab-lee&#8221;</em></li>
<li>Côte de Nuits &#8211; <em>the night slope</em></li>
<li>Côte de Beaune &#8211; <em>the slope of Beaune</em></li>
<li>Côte Chalonnaise &#8211; <em>the Chalon slope</em></li>
<li>Mâconnais &#8211; <em>the region of Mâcon</em></li>
</ul>
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<h4>A Brief History of Burgundy Wine</h4>
<figure id="attachment_7515" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7515" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/limestone-fossil-France-paul-grand.jpg" alt="Limestone Fossil in France by Paul Grand" width="1024" height="868" class="size-full wp-image-7515" target=”_blank” /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7515" class="wp-caption-text">Fossil in limestone. Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulgrand/362610130/sizes/o/in/photolist-y3tmN-2c2P55-8yE7Bv-cgW4xq-cgWb7N-8nUFqQ/" target="”_blank”" rel="noopener">Paul Grand.</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>About 200 million years ago, the region was part of a vast, tropical sea. Time transformed the seabed into limestone soils. These soils are the secret behind the zesty minerality that&#8217;s the hallmark of Burgundy wines. If you venture into the vineyards, you can find chunks of limestone or marl (limestone mixed with clay) that contain fascinating fossilized sea creatures.</p>
<p>Winemaking goes back to the Romans in the 1st century AD, but it was the Catholic monks that really established the vineyards in the Middle Ages.  These guys grew the grapes for the church and the aristocratic Dukes of Burgundy. The French Revolution returned the vineyards to the people who, today, pride themselves on their attachment to the land. The personal relationship to the land has inspired growth in organic and bio-dynamic viticulture and winemaking. </p>
</div>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/France-Burgundy-Chablis-Wine-Map-Folly.jpg" alt="Chablis Wine Map in Burgundy France by Wine Folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11730" /></p>
<h4>Chablis</h4>
<p><strong>Famous for:</strong> lean, unoaked Chardonnay.</p>
<p><a href="/wines/chablis/">Chablis</a> is the growing region located furthest north and is geographically set apart from the rest of Burgundy. The river Serein (Serene) flows through the area, moderating the climate, and the grapes have been grown here since the Cistercian monks first started the vineyards in the 12th century.</p>
<p>In reality, it&#8217;s closer <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/how-to-choose-champagne/">to Champagne</a>, both in terms of location and climate, with harsh cold winters, spring frost, and hot summers. The dominant soil here is called &#8220;Kimmeridgian&#8221; limestone, just like in Champagne. Its white, chalky texture is great at retaining and reflecting the sun&#8217;s warmth, sorely needed this far north, which also helps the grapes ripen and gives the wines a purity and crispness that just says, &#8220;Sha-blee!&#8221;</p>
<p>All the wines are white and made with Chardonnay grapes.</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/chablis-wine-guide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="button button-tertiary button-medium">More About Chablis</a></p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/cote-de-nuits-bourgogne-wine-map-winefolly-1.jpg" alt="Côte de Nuits Bourgogne Burgundy Wine Map by Wine Folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15197" /></p>
<h4>Côte de Nuits</h4>
<p><strong>Famous for:</strong> Pinot Noir.</p>
<p>The Côte de Nuits (named after walnut trees) is home to 24 Grand Cru vineyards and some of the world’s most expensive vineyard real estate. The area begins just south of Dijon and ends at the village of Corgoloin. 80% of the wines produced here are Pinot Noir, and the remaining 20% are either Chardonnay or Rosé &#8211; <em>a specialty of Marsannay</em>.</p>
<p>The Grand Cru vineyards form a patchwork on the eastern slopes facing the valley of the Saône River, starting at the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, past Morey-Saint-Denis and south to Vougeot and Vosne Romanée. Most are small and can have many owners due to the structure of post-French Revolution inheritance laws. These renowned expressions of Pinot Noir can age for decades – and it might just take that long to save up for them, as prices can easily creep up into thousands of dollars!</p>
<p>But don’t give up! Try some Côte de Nuits Village wines from Fixin, Brochon, Premeaux-Prissey, Comblanchien, and Corgoloin. Mostly Pinot Noir, the wines show classic full-bodied Burgundy notes of black currant, cherry, fresh red fruits, and earthy mushroom and spice. Offerings in the Premier Cru category can also be good buys and perfect for special occasions.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Cote-de-beaune-wine-map-burgundy-bourgogne-winefolly.jpg" alt="Côte de Beaune wine map of Burgundy Bourgogne by Wine Folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15198" /></p>
<h4>Côte de Beaune</h4>
<p><strong>Famous for:</strong> rich Chardonnay. </p>
<p>The <strong>Côte de Beaune</strong>, named after the medieval village that is the heart of wine commerce in Burgundy, produces wine that is quite different from that of its neighbor to the north.</p>
<p>Here, the valleys are open and rolling, the vineyards have more of a southeasterly exposure, and Chardonnay plays a more important role. Seven of the eight Grand Cru vineyards produce white wine — Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, and Montrachet (literal translation: Bald Mountain) are some of the well-known names. Again, you don’t need to mortgage the farm to enjoy amazing wines from this region. </p>
<h5>Buying Tip:</h5>
<p> Look for the <strong>Côte de Beaune Village</strong> and <strong>Premier Cru</strong> wine from</p>
<ul>
<li>Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin, Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune</li>
</ul>
<p>  The whites are filled with aromas of soft white flowers, dried grasses, fresh apple and pear, and sometimes a touch of hazelnut.</p>
<p>There are many amazing red wines, too. These wines have flavors of plum, cherrystone, and white tobacco, as well as that Burgundian signature earthy minerality and good acidity.</p>
<div class="alert alert-secondary">
<h4>In The Know</h4>
<p><strong>Together, Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune are called Côte d&#8217;Or.</strong><br />
Côte d&#8217;Or means <em>Golden Slope.</em> The Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune are historically considered the most important regions in Burgundy.
</div>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/cote-chalonnais-wine-map-winefolly.jpg" alt="Cote Chalonnais Wine Map - Burgundy - Wine Folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19584" /></p>
<h4>Côte Chalonnaise</h4>
<p><strong>Famous for:</strong> value-driven Pinot Noir and sparkling Crémant.</p>
<p>Our next stop in our tour of Burgundy is the Côte Chalonnaise, situated between the towns of Chagny and Saint-Vallerin. Here, there are no Grand Cru vineyards. The Dukes of Burgundy were centered in Dijon and liked to keep their holdings close to home. They considered these areas to the south to be more rural and for the peasants. What a shame; they really missed out on some superb wines!</p>
<p>The first village in the northern part of the region is Bouzeron, the only appellation devoted to the other white grape of Burgundy, Aligoté. This is a perfect summer sipper or choice for fish and shellfish. Aligoté is floral, with notes of citrus and flint and perhaps a touch of honey. Delicious.</p>
<p>Another village that does something a bit different (do we see a pattern emerging? ) is Rully, a vibrant center of Crémant de Bourgogne production since the 19th century. These white and rosé sparklers are made in the traditional method, just as in Champagne.</p>
<figure id="attachment_7522" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7522" style="width: 1235px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Cote-Chalonnaise-Burgundy-Wine-Region.jpg" alt="Côte Chalonnaise Burgundy Wine Region Picture" width="1235" height="883" class="size-full wp-image-7522" target=”_blank”/><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7522" class="wp-caption-text">A brisk day in Côte Chalonnaise. Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lautergold/4529206494/sizes/o/in/photolist-7Ueni9-8aYjLh-8aYkSC-ddEARi-8V2ry5-dv6ZUR/" target="”_blank”" rel="noopener">LauterGold.</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>The villages of Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny lie atop wonderful soils: layers of Jurassic limestone and marl, with topsoils of eroded pebbles and clay. </p>
<p>The area around Givry, in the middle of the Chalonnaise, has over 13 soil types. These different plots give the wines individual character, and the winemakers here really know their soils, with some having held the vineyard lands since the 17th century.</p>
<p>The wines from this area are good value. They range from smooth Chardonnays with subtle oak influences and ripe tree fruits to more rustic Pinot Noirs, filled with dried strawberry, cherry, earth and forest influences, and even suede-like tannins.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/maconnais-wine-map-winefolly.jpg" alt="Mâconnais Wine Map - Burgundy - Wine Folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19585" /></p>
<h4>Mâconnais</h4>
<p><strong>Famous for:</strong> awesome-valued Chardonnay</p>
<p>The most southerly region, and the largest of Burgundy, is the Mâconnais. Once thought of as &#8220;ordinary,&#8221; this region is somewhat the &#8220;rogue&#8221; of the family. During hard times, like the worldwide depression of the 1920s and the two World Wars, this region felt the brunt of the misfortune. </p>
<p>Many of the local growers sold their grapes to co-operatives to survive. By the 1960s and 1970s, tastes began to change, and wine consumption began to drop. The growers realized they needed to improve their wines if they wanted to compete. Fruit quality standards were set, and many younger growers, inheriting the family vineyards, decided to make their own wines.</p>
<p>Located between the town of Tournus and Saint-Véran, it lies at the crossroads between Northern and Southern France. The change is striking. As you travel south, even the buildings appear different – more Mediterranean in color and style with curved tiles on the rooftops. The climate is decidedly warmer, too; harvest begins a full two weeks earlier here than in Chablis.</p>
<p>In the centre of the region is Viré-Clessé. Although it was declared an appellation in 1999, outstanding wines have been made here for centuries.</p>
<p>The influence of the warmer climate shows up in the well-structured Chardonnays, with notes of ripe stone fruits, honeysuckle, citrus peel, and wild herbs.</p>
<p>The main and most famous area in the south: Pouilly-Fuissé. This region is a beautiful, open amphitheater of vineyards. The surrounding villages lay in the valley bottom, cast in the shadow of Roche de Solutré and Roche de Vergisson. Many vineyards border Beaujolais, just over the hills to the south. The soils here are full of limestone with a little granite as well.</p>
<p>The wines are white, made from Chardonnay, and display soft apple, pineapple, and white peach aromas with wonderful structure and freshness.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/wine-classification-bourgogne.jpg" alt="Bourgogne Wine Classification System Appellation AOP" width="1400" height="971" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9084" /></p>
<h3>Burgundy Wine Classifications</h3>
<p>Find better quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Burgundy by understanding how the wines are classified.  There are over 100 &#8220;appellations,&#8221; or approved wine growing areas, and these are divided into 4 levels of quality.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>1% Grand Cru</strong> (e.g. Grands-Échezeaux, Montrachet, etc) Wines from Burgundy&#8217;s top plots (called <em>climats</em>). There are 33 Grand Crus in the Côte d&#8217;Or and about 60% of the production is dedicated to Pinot Noir.</li>
<li><strong>10% Premier Cru</strong> (e.g. Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru) Wines from exceptional <em>climats</em> in Burgundy. There are 640 Premier Cru plots in Burgundy. </li>
<li><strong>37% Village Wines</strong> Wines from a village or commune of Burgundy.  There are 44 villages including Chablis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Mâcon-Villages.</li>
<li><strong>52% Regional Wines</strong> (e.g. Crémant de Bourgogne, Bourgogne Rouge, etc.) Wines from overarching <em>Bourgogne</em> appellations.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Regional Wines</h4>
<p>Regional Wines can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy and tend to be fresh, light, and lively, making them terrific sippers or aperitif wines. You will find them labeled “Bourgogne Rouge” (red) or “Bourgogne Blanc&#8221; (white). Don’t forget to check out the back label on these wines! They are now allowed to note the grape variety, which can be really helpful.</p>
<p>If you like sparkling wines, the delightful “Crémant de Bourgogne” is also in this category.</p>
<h4>Village Wines</h4>
<p>The next step up is the “Village” wines, named after the towns near where the grapes are sourced. These wines are still fresh and fruity, with little to no oak, but they are a tad more complex. Look for names like “Pouilly-Fuissé,” “Santenay,” “Givry,” or “Mercurey.”</p>
<h4>Premier Cru Burgundy</h4>
<p>“Premier Cru” wines are from special vineyard areas within a village. These bits of vineyard are called “climats” (clee-mats) and produce wines that are a bit more intense than the regular old Village wines! </p>
<p>This might be because of the type of soil, the way the vineyard faces the morning sun, longer aging in oak, or a myriad of other reasons. Premier Crus are still affordable and make marvelous food wines. The label will say “Premier Cru” or “1er Cru.”</p>
<h4>Grand Cru Burgundy</h4>
<p>And finally, the big daddies of Bourgogne – the &#8220;Grand Cru&#8221; with famous names like Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Montrachet, etc., and a label that will proudly proclaim the &#8220;Grand Cru&#8221; status! </p>
<p>Although they account for just over 1% of Burgundy’s annual production, these are the wines for which people are willing to pay top dollar. Bold, powerful, complex and made for cellaring, they are the epitome of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  There are a total of 33 Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy – some are just inches away from a Premier Cru vineyard.</p>
<div class="panel">
<p>It&#8217;s important to remember that in Burgundy, <strong>there are always exceptions to every rule</strong>. Here&#8217;s one: remember the classifications of wine that apply to Burgundy? Well, they don’t apply in Chablis. The area is known for zesty Chardonnay and has its very own ranking system.
</div>
<h4>Chablis Classification System</h4>
<p><strong>Petit Chablis:</strong> Produced from grapes grown surrounding the village, which are higher in acidity and have lots of light citrus character. These are wonderful when drunk young, so look for recent vintages.</p>
<p><strong>Chablis:</strong> These wines are a bit rounder and more minerally, with grapes sourced from the limestone slopes near the village of Chablis. Most of the wines we see on our local shelves are in this category.</p>
<p><strong>Premier Cru Chablis:</strong> Only about 15% of the annual production, these wines are more nuanced and elegant from vineyards filled with that wonderful Kimmeridgian limestone marl, giving them a distinctive character. Look for climate names on the label like &#8220;Mont de Milieu&#8221; (&#8220;Mount in the middle&#8221;), &#8220;Côte de Léchet&#8221; (really zesty), or &#8220;Fourchaume&#8221; (fruity).</p>
<p><strong>Grand Cru Chablis:</strong> These vineyards are located in a beautiful arc north of the town of Chablis, where the steep slopes face south-southwest. There is technically only one Grand Cru, but there are 7 &#8220;climats&#8221; inside that Grand Cru, and their names will be on the label: Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, and Vaudésir. The Grand Cru wines in Chablis can taste dissimilar to the rest of Chablis mainly because many are aged in oak.  The Grand Cru vineyards produce wines that age beautifully with floral honey notes and a refreshing flinty acidity.  </p>


A Simple Guide to Burgundy Wine (With Maps)

<h3>Q: How long does wine last after it&#8217;s opened?</h3>
<p><strong>And&#8230; does wine go bad?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Answer:</strong> Most wines last open for only about 3–5 days before they start to go bad. Of course, this greatly depends on the type of wine! Find out more about this below. </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t worry though, &#8220;spoiled&#8221; wine is essentially just vinegar, so it&#8217;s not going to harm you.  Here&#8217;s how long different styles of wine last open. </p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10082" src="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/2015/05/how-long-wine-lasts-open.png" alt="how-long-wine-lasts-open" width="900" height="1993" /></p>
<h2>How Long Does an Open Bottle of Wine Last?</h2>
<dl>
<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Sparkling Wine</h4>
</dt>
<dd><em>1–3 days in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper </em>Sparkling wines lose their carbonation quickly after opening. A <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/champagne-bubbles-how-is-champagne-made/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">traditional method sparkling wine</a>, such as Cava or Champagne, will last a little longer than a tank method sparkling wine like Prosecco. The traditional method wines have more atmospheres of pressure (more bubbles) in them when they&#8217;re bottled, which is why they tend to last longer.</dd>
<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Light White, Sweet White and Rosé Wine</h4>
</dt>
<dd><em>5–7 days in fridge with a cork </em>Most light white and rosé wines will be drinkable for up to a week when stored in your refrigerator. You&#8217;ll notice the taste will change subtly after the first day, as the wine oxidizes. The overall <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/identifying-flavors-in-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fruit character of the wine</a> will often diminish, becoming less vibrant.</dd>
<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Full-Bodied White Wine</h4>
</dt>
<dd><em>3–5 days in fridge with a cork </em>Full-bodied white wines, like oaked Chardonnay and Viognier, tend to oxidize more quickly because they saw more oxygen during their pre-bottling aging process. Be certain to always keep them corked and in the fridge. If you drink a lot of this type of wine, it&#8217;s a really smart idea to invest in vacuum caps.</dd>
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<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Red Wine</h4>
</dt>
<dd><em>3–5 days in a cool dark place with a cork </em>The more tannin and acidity the red wine has, the longer it tends to last after opening. So, a light red with very little tannin, such as Pinot Noir, won&#8217;t last open as long as a rich red like <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/petite-sirah-wine-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Petite Sirah</a>. Some wines will even improve after the first day open. Store open red wines in a chiller or a dark cool place after opening them. If you don&#8217;t have a chiller, your fridge is better than letting the wine sit out in a 70°F (21°C) room.</dd>
<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Fortified Wine</h4>
</dt>
<dd><em>28 days in a cool dark place with a cork </em>Fortified wines like <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-port-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Port</a>, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/dry-sherry-wine-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sherry</a>, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/marsala-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marsala</a> have very long shelf lives because of the addition of brandy. While these wines do look marvelous displayed on a high shelf, they will lose their vibrant flavors more quickly from exposure to light and heat. The only wines which will keep forever when open are Madeira and Marsala–they&#8217;re already oxidized and cooked! Just so you know,the sweeter the dessert wine, the longer it will last open. The same temperature-based rules apply here: best to keep them stored in the fridge.</dd>
<div class="panel">
<h5><i class="fa fa-book"></i> Why Wine Goes Bad</h5>
<p><strong>Short Answer:</strong> Wines stored after opening can go bad in two major ways. The first way is when acetic acid bacteria consumes the alcohol in wine and metabolizes it into acetic acid and acetaldehyde. This causes the wine to have a <strong>sharp, vinegar-like smell</strong>.  Additionally, the alcohol can oxidize, causing a<strong> nutty, bruised fruit taste</strong>, that robs the wine of fresh, fruity flavors. These are both chemical reactions, and so <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-storage-temperature/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the lower the temperature you keep a wine</a>, the more slowly this will happen.</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/2012/06/wine-in-a-box-brands-box-wine-bag-wine-pouch-wine.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://winefolly.com/app/uploads/2012/06/wine-in-a-box-brands-box-wine-bag-wine-pouch-wine.jpg" alt="" width="1004" height="700" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5721" /></a></p>
<dt>
<h4><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i> Special Containers</h4>
</dt>
<dd>
<ul class="uk-list">
<li>
<h5 class="uk-margin-remove">Bag-in-a-Box</h5>
<p><em>2–3 weeks stored in the fridge (red and white wine) </em>Bag-in-a-Box is a wonderful thing for daily drinkers, since the bag is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">anaerobic</a> environment. A few producers even have decent-tasting box wines without any flaws. Still, you&#8217;ll won&#8217;t want to keep these wines for longer than a month because box wines have expiration dates, due to regulations on food stored in plastics.</p>
</li>
<li>
<h5 class="uk-margin-remove">Wine-in-a-Carton</h5>
<p><em>Follow the same rules for bottled wines.</em></p>
</li>
</ul>
</dd>
</dl>


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