An overview of different types of wines

You may think you don’t know much about wine but you will know which you prefer. A crisp dry or a rich succulent red. Are you one that sticks to white with fish and red with meat? There are no rights and wrongs in teaming wine with food just preference, taste and balance.

I once went into a restaurant and ordered Lemon Sole and half a bottle of medium red wine (Shiraz Grenache). My friends looked, but, after trying…. they were eating their words together with their food.

HOW IMPORTANT IS PRICE

In the UK, the tax and duty on the wine is the same, whatever the price. So the more you pay, the greater the value of the wine in the bottle. A 6.99 wine will have much more character than a 3.99 wine.

Some high priced wines are not quite what they seem. They may be sold at 6.99 in order to be discounted’ to 4.99 a month later.

Don’t forget fair-trade wines. You may want to spend a little extra to support fair-trade wineries in countries ranging from South Africa to Chile and Argentina.

WHITE WINE

There are three key styles: aromatic, fresh and oak-aged.

Remember that most of these wines will benefit from being served cold or in the case of sweet wines, very cold.

CHARDONNAY

Flavours vary from citrus and honey to exotic fruit. Best enjoyed with: fish and seafood, smoked salmon, pasta, chicken, semi-hard cheeses.

CHENIN BLANC

In the Loire Valley France it produces everything from dry sec’ to off-dry demi-sec’ to exceptional luscious sweet moelleux’ wines. In South Africa, it has a long tradition. Best enjoyed with: pork, pasta, chicken; sweet: with creamy blue cheeses, fruit tarts.

MUSCAT

Muscat comes in three styles. Dry Muscat is a lightly grapey dry wine, not very exciting. Sweet Muscat is altogether more fun and is great value. From Italy, low alcohol sparkling Moscato d’Asti is a fun, sweet fizz.

Best enjoyed with: sweet muscats are a good match with rich fruity desserts. Moscato d’Asti is fun with very sweet recipes like Pavlova and ice creams

REISLING

One of the great varieties of the world. Riesling can also age very well, developing characters of petrol (really!) as well as honey.

Best enjoyed with: the sweeter styles with Thai foods; the dry lime styles with seafood; the very sweet wines with fruit tarts.

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Originally a classic crisp dry wine from France’s Loire Valley

Best enjoyed with: goat’s cheese, seafood, salads

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CHOOSING RED WINE

Many red wines are made from blending