Wine is an alcoholic drink that is typically made from the fermentation of fruits, like grape, apple or elderberry. Wine is produced by combining crushed grapes with various types of yeast which feed off of the sugar in the grapes and thus creates alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, they do not add sugar in the wine making process but instead the more natural sugar a fruit has the higher the alcohol content and the sweeter the finished product will be.

When we think of wine we often think of reds, whites and varietals, but even within these varieties we know there are even more wines. Each one has its own distinct flavor and aroma though some of it depends on the age and how the wine was made or preserved. It is quite amazing to know that such little differences can change the whole way wine is experienced.

There are possibly hundreds of variations of the most popular wines but the classics will always remain the same. The grape always makes the wine, and most varieties of wines are called by the same name as the grapes that are used to make them. However, the flavor of the finished wine will depend upon where the grapes were actually grown.

Syrah, or Shiraz is a spicy and hardy red with overtones of black pepper and roasted meat. Slight toffee notes are also evident due to the oak barrels but also aromas and notes of wild fruit. It pairs best with meat dishes of all varieties.

Merlot is a great beginners red wine with its soft taste due to less tannic acid. Fruit notes of black cherry and plums are typically present too. Merlot is quite versatile and can be paired with any type of food, or course.

Cabernet Sauvignon, is a more of a blend of Merlot and Cabernet franc, together they create a bold wine that is best consumed young for a strong bite. Aged, the wine really tones down and notes of curran
t shine through. Cabernet Sauvignon is best served with undressed red meats like grilled steak.

Bordeaux, is a French wine with its roots in the Bordeaux region and is a blend of several different grapes. However, where it is grown greatly impacts its flavors, but typically it has notes of plums, berries and spices. It pairs best with Mexican, Cajun and Indian dishes.

White Zinfandel, although a blush but not a true red, features notes of pepper and berries. It pairs wonderfully with anything from pasta to pizza, and due to its lower alcohol content, it is a popular choice for prolonged sipping. White Zinfandel is only made in California, and is actually made from red grapes, but in a special processing it makes it a blush wine.

Chardonnay is likely one of the most popular white wines whether it is sparkling or flat. It pairs well with seafood and chicken too. Depending on how it is fermented it can have very different flavors and levels of dryness. It could have anything from melon, to citrus, or even notes of vanilla.

Riesling is an aromatic white wine that is almost never aged in oak barrels. The taste of Riesling is ever so dependent upon where the grapes are grown. It is usually sweet or semi-sweet and often blended with other wines to create sparkling wines. However, Riesling drinks well on its own with notes of tropical fruit, or paired alongside white fish, pork, Thai and Chinese food.

Sauvignon blanc is one of those white wines where it really depends on where the grape was grown. It can be described as creating a wine with extreme grassy and sweet tropical notes when served chilled. It pairs best with sushi and various cheeses.

As you can see these are just a small sampling of the more popular wines that are made today. Each wine that is crafted is a form of art, often times never tasting exactly the same way one year after another. The one thing most winemakers, and those who enjoy a glass, can agree upon is that it is delicious.