<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 conform 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"><a href="https://shop.winefolly.com/collections/posters/products/wine-sweetness-chart-poster"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/wine-sweetness-chart-tiny-1.jpg" alt="2022 Wine Sweetness Chart" width="1200" height="1595" class="size-full wp-image-25627" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-25627" class="wp-caption-text">Wine Folly&#8217;s Wine Sweetness Chart has been updated in 2022</figcaption></figure>
<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">Buy Poster</a></p>
<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 &#8220;more dry&#8221; than others</h3>
<p>Wine writers <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-descriptions-chart-infographic/" title="120 Most Common Wine Descriptions (Infographic)">have put words</a> to the concept of dryness for years and food scientists have actually studied why some wines taste more dry than others. Both groups claim that aroma, <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-tannins-in-wine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" 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 tastes &#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 which makes wines taste less sweet than they actually are.</figcaption></figure>
<h4><i class="fa fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> 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 a recent study demonstrated that some people have higher sensitivities to tannin based on the amount 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 wines taste less sweet.</figcaption></figure>
<h4><i class="fa fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> 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/review/how-much-sugar-in-brut-champagne/" title="How Much Sugar in Brut Champagne?">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" /></p>
<h4><i class="fa fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> Smell &#8220;primes&#8221; 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/tutorial/common-flower-aromas-in-wine/" title="6 Common Flower Aromas in Wine">&#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>
<hr>
<h2>Keep Learning:</h2>
<h3>What&#8217;s Residual Sugar in Wine?</h3>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-residual-sugar-in-wine/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="300" src="https://media.winefolly.com/residual-sugar-graphic-winefolly-small.png" alt="Residual Sugar - Sweetness in Wine Graphic - by Wine Folly" class="size-full wp-image-19489" /></a></p>
<p>Is sugar added to wine or does it come from somewhere else? </p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-residual-sugar-in-wine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="btn btn-secondary btn-lg">Residual Sugar?</a></p>
<h3>Looking for carb-friendly wines?</h3>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/update/the-realists-guide-to-keto-wines/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="300" src="https://media.winefolly.com/carbs-in-wine-keto-winefolly.png" alt="Carbs in Wine - Keto Wines - Wine Folly" class="size-full wp-image-19490" /></a></p>
<p>Get the dish on keto-friendly wines.</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-is-residual-sugar-in-wine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="btn btn-secondary btn-lg">Keto-Friendly wines</a></p>


Wine Sweetness Chart

<h5>Types of Wine Grapes</h5>
<p>Wine is made with grapes, but not typical table grapes you&#8217;ll find at the grocery. Wine grapes (latin name: <em>Vitis vinifera</em>) have thick skins, are small, sweet, and contain seeds. </p>
<p>There are many different kinds of wine grapes<em>–over a thousand,–</em> but here some common choices you&#8217;ll find in the grocery store.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.winefolly.com/common-types-of-wine-by-wine-folly.jpg" alt="common-types-of-wine-by-wine-folly" width="1200" height="900" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10148" /></p>
<h2>Common Types of Wine</h2>
<p>The 8 wines included in this article represent 6 of the <a title="Learn Wine With The 9 Major Styles" href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/the-9-major-wine-styles/">9 styles of wine</a>. </p>
<p>Trying all 8 wines will give you a good example of the potential <a title="Updated Wine Aroma Wheel with 100+ Flavors" href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-aroma-wheel-100-flavors/">range of flavors</a> found in all wine. </p>
<p>Each wine listed below also includes alternative varieties that taste similar. So, if you prefer a particular wine, you might also like its alternatives. </p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10140" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Cabernet-Sauvignon-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Cabernet Sauvignon wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Cabernet Sauvignon</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Kab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Black Cherry, Black Currant, Baking Spices, and Cedar (from <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/how-wine-barrels-affect-the-taste-of-wine/">oak</a>)</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Full-Bodied Red Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red grape first heavily planted in the Bordeaux region. Today, it&#8217;s the most popular wine variety in the world! </p>
<p>Wines are full-bodied with <a title="What Are Tannins In Wine?" href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-tannins-in-wine/">bold tannins</a> and a long persistent finish driven mostly by the higher levels of alcohol and tannin that often accompany these wines.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> lamb, beef, smoked meats, French, American, firm cheeses like aged cheddar and hard cheeses like Pecorino. </p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/cabernet-sauvignon/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Cabernet Sauvignon</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Cabernet Sauvignon</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/merlot/">Merlot:</a></strong> Middle weight, lower in tannins (smoother), with a more red-fruited flavor profile</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/cabernet-franc/">Cabernet Franc:</a></strong>  Light to middle weight, with higher acid and more savory flavors, one of Cabernet Sauvignon&#8217;s parent grapes.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/carmenere/">Carménère:</a></strong> Usually from Chile, very similar to Merlot in body, but with the aggressive savory flavors of Cabernet Franc</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/bordeaux-blend-red/">The Bordeaux Blend:</a></strong> Usually dominant to Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but also includes any of the other Bordeaux varieties</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10141" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Syrah-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Syrah wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Syrah</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Sear-ah&#8221; (aka Shiraz)</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Blueberry, plum, tobacco, cured meat, black pepper, violet</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Full-Bodied Red Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Syrah (aka Shiraz) is a full-bodied red wine that&#8217;s heavily planted in the Rhône Valley in France and Australia. The wines have intense fruit flavors and medium-weight <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-tannins-in-wine/">tannins.</a> Syrah is commonly blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to create the red Rhône blend. The wine often has a meaty (beef broth, jerky) quality.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> lamb, beef, smoked meats; Mediterranean, French, and American firm cheeses like white cheddar, and <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/6-tips-on-pairing-wine-and-cheese/">hard cheeses</a> like Spanish Manchego.</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/syrah/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Syrah</a></p>
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<h5>Great Alternatives to Syrah</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/malbec/">Malbec:</a></strong> (Argentina) More black-fruited, often with more aggressive oak usage, less meaty, but with more coffee and chocolate flavors</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/petite-sirah/">Petite Sirah:</a></strong> (United States) This grape has no genetic relation to Syrah, but has even more aggressive tannin and a fuller body</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/monastrell/">Monastrell:</a></strong> More broad texture, with similar meaty notes, but more of a mixture of red and black fruits</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/pinotage/">Pinotage:</a></strong> (South Africa) Similar in terms of body, with even more intense, smokey notes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10142" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Zinfandel-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Zinfandel wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Zinfandel</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Zin-fan-dell&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> A broad, exotic array of fruits from stone (overripe nectarine), to red (raspberry, sour cherry), to blue (plum, blueberry), to black (blackberry, boysenberry), Asian 5 Spice Powder, Sweet Tobacco</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Medium-bodied to full-bodied Red Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) is a medium-bodied red wine that originated in Croatia. Wines are fruit-forward and spicy with a medium length finish. Zinfandel is a red grape that may be better known in its pink variation, <a title="What Rosé Should I Drink? A Guide to Styles of Rosé Wine" href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/guide-styles-of-rose-wine/">White Zinfandel</a>.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> chicken, pork, cured meat, lamb, beef, barbecue, Italian, American, Chinese, Thai, Indian, full-flavored like cheddar and firm cheeses such as Manchego</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/zinfandel/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Zinfandel</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Zinfandel</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/grenache/">Grenache:</a> </strong>More middle-weight and red-fruited flavors, with the meaty and peppery qualities you get with Syrah</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/tempranillo/">Tempranillo:</a></strong> (Spain) Tempranillo has more savory cherry notes, as well as lower alcohol and body. </li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/rhone-gsm-blend/">GSM / Rhône Blend:</a></strong> This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre originally from Rhône Valley of France. It&#8217;s very similar in terms of taste, but not usually as fruity!</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/carignan/">Carignan:</a></strong> This wine doesn&#8217;t have the cinnamon-spice that Zinfandel often exudes.  Expect more candied cranberry notes and sometimes a funky, meaty note.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10143" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Pinot-Noir-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Pinot Noir wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Pinot Noir</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Pee-no Nwar&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Very red fruited (cherry, cranberry) and red-floral (rose), often with appealing vegetal notes of beet, rhubarb, or mushroom</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Lighter-bodied Red Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Pinot Noir is a dry, light-bodied red that was first widely planted in France. The wines typically have <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/understanding-acidity-in-wine/">higher acidity</a> and a soft, smooth, <a href="https://winefolly.com/tutorial/low-tannin-red-wines/">low-tannin</a> finish. </p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> chicken, pork, veal, duck, cured meat, French, German, cream sauces, soft cheeses, nutty medium-firm cheeses like Gruyère</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/pinot-noir/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Pinot Noir</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Pinot Noir</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/gamay/">Gamay:</a></strong> Lighter, juicier, more floral, with subtle herbal notes on the finish. Look for wines labeled <a href="https://winefolly.com/beaujolais/">&#8220;Beaujolais&#8221;</a> from France.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/schiava/">Schiava:</a></strong> (Italy) A rare find from <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/alto-adige-wine-region/">Trentino-Alto Adige</a> with candied cherry, rose hip, and allspice notes. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10144" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Chardonnay-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Chardonnay wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Chardonnay</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Shar-dun-nay&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Yellow citrus (Meyer lemon), yellow pomaceous fruits (like yellow pear and apple), tropical fruits (banana, pineapple), and often a touch of butterscotch, vanilla or toasted caramel notes from oak</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Medium- to Full-Bodied White Wine.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Chardonnay is a dry full-bodied white wine that was planted in large quantities for the first time in France. When oak-aged, Chardonnay will have spicy, bourbon-y notes. Unoaked wines are lighter and zesty with apple and citrus flavors. Chardonnay is the <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/white-burgundy-tasting-pairing-and-french-chardonnay/">white grape of Burgundy.</a></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> lobster, crab, shrimp, chicken, pork, mushroom, French, cream sauces, soft cheeses such as triple cream brie, medium-firm cheeses like Gruyère</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/chardonnay/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Chardonnay</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Chardonnay</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/semillon/">Sémillon:</a></strong> More middle weight, although often with oak as well, more citrus and herbal aromatics</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/viognier/">Viognier:</a></strong> Often richer in body, with lots of perfumed, floral-driven aromatics when oaked. Unoaked Viognier are lighter and more zesty.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<hr class="soften">
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10145" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Sauvignon-Blanc-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Sauvignon Blanc wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Sauvignon Blanc</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Saw-vin-yawn Blonk&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Aggressively-citrus-driven (grapefruit pith), with some exotic fruits (honeydew melon, passion fruit, kiwi) and always an herbaceous quality (grass, mint, green pepper)</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Light- to Medium-Bodied White Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white grape first widely planted in France. Wines are tart, typically with herbal, &#8220;green&#8221; fruit flavors. </p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> fish, chicken, pork, veal, Mexican, Vietnamese, French, herb-crusted goat cheese, nutty cheeses such as Gruyère</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/sauvignon-blanc/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Sauvignon Blanc</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Sauvignon Blanc</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/vermentino/">Vermentino:</a></strong> from Italy is less herbaceous, but with more appealing, bitter flavors (bitter almond)</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/verdejo/">Verdejo:</a></strong> from Spain is almost identical, although sometimes fuller in body</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/gruner-veltliner/">Grüner Veltliner:</a></strong> from Austria has more savory vegetable notes (arugula, turnip, white pepper)</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<p><a href="https://media.winefolly.com/Pinot-Gris-wine-profile-glass.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10146" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Pinot-Gris-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Pinot Gris wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></a></p>
<h3>Pinot Gris</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Pee-no Gree&#8221; (aka Pinot Grigio)</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Delicate citrus (lime water, orange zest)  and pomaceous fruits (apple skin, pear sauce), white floral notes, and cheese rind (from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lees_(fermentation)">lees usage</a>)</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Light-Bodied White Wine</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Pinot Gris is a dry light-bodied white grape that is planted heavily in Italy, but also in France and Germany. Wines are light to middle-weight and easy drinking, often with some bitter flavor on the palate (bitter almond, quinine)</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing: </strong>Salad, delicate poached fish, light and mild cheeses</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/pinot-gris/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Pinot Gris</a></p>
<div class="panel">
<h5>Great Alternatives to Pinot Gris</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/albarino/">Albariño:</a></strong> from Spain is similar, but has more acid and more citrus-driven aromatics (tangerine, orange juice) and floral aromatics</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/how-to-find-great-soave-wine/">Soave:</a></strong> The grape is Garganega, but often more bruised and oxidized apple-y character, still relatively bitter</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/melon/">Melon:</a></strong> The grape is Melon de Bourgogne, and the wine region is called <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/tasting-and-pairing-muscadet-wine/">Muscadet in France.</a> It&#8217;s often much higher <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/understanding-acidity-in-wine/">in acidity,</a> but with <a href="https://winefolly.com/review/what-are-wine-lees-sur-lie-explained/">heavy lees</a> and relatively neutral flavor</li>
</ul>
</div>
<hr class="soften">
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-small wp-image-10147" src="https://media.winefolly.com/Riesling-wine-profile-glass.jpg" alt="Riesling wine in a glass with taste profile and pronunciation" width="500" height="1135" /></p>
<h3>Riesling</h3>
<p><span class="muted">&#8220;Reese-ling&#8221;</span></p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="taste profile"></i> Taste:</strong> Citrus (kefir lime, lemon juice) and stone-fruit (white peach, nectarine) always feature prominently, although there are also usually floral and sweet herbal elements as well.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="wine style"></i> Style:</strong> Floral and fruit-driven aromatic white that comes in variable sweetness. Some producers choose not to ferment all the grape sugar and therefore make the wine in an &#8220;off-dry&#8221; style.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="description"></i> Description:</strong> Always very high in acid, when made as a table wine Rieslings can be harmoniously sweet (sweet and sour) or dry (very acidic). The wine is polarizing because some people find dry styles too acidic and sweet styles too cloying, but sweetness is always a wine making decision and not inherent to the grape.</p>
<p><strong><i class="fa fa-caret-right" title="food-pairing"></i> Food Pairing:</strong> chicken, pork, duck, turkey, cured meat, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Moroccan, German, washed-rind cheeses and fondue</p>
<p><a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/riesling/" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Learn more about Riesling</a></p>
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<h5>Great Alternatives to Riesling</h5>
<ul class="uk-list" style="margin-left: 15px">
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/review/moscato-wine/">Moscato</a></strong> Less acidic with a much more aggressively floral flavor profile</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/gewurztraminer/">Gewürztraminer:</a></strong> richer, with less acid and more broad texture, rose candy and lychee are typical aromatics</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/torrontes/">Torrontés:</a></strong> Related to Moscato, but always in a dry style, more full-bodied and bitter</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://winefolly.com/chenin-blanc/">Chenin Blanc:</a></strong> Also very acidic and made in sweet and dry styles, but much more savory with more apple-y, savory aromatics</li>
</ul>
</div>


Common Types of Wine (the top varieties)

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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