A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Wine

After you read this guide, you should have a better understanding of different types of wine and enough vocabulary to impress your friends.

Let's be real. Wine is really intimidating when it comes down to it. There are dozens of different types of wine, each with its own ideal pairing foods. And then there's wine snobs – people who describe fermented grape juice as “unctuous.”

It's a shame because wine is delicious. With a basic understanding of different types of wine and their tastes, you can take a workday meal and make it extraordinary…or transform a regular hangout into something truly memorable.

Understanding Wine Makes It Taste Better

Studies have shown that more complex descriptions of red and white wine actually make those wines taste better. Intuitively, this makes sense. If you have more vocabulary to describe what you're imbibing, your brain is better able to discern subtler flavors.

So we've put together a beginner's guide to different wine types that will break down the basics of what makes different wines, well, different, and the key descriptors you need to know to get the most out of whatever wine you're drinking.