There are about 175,000 unique wines tracked by Liv-Ex and approximately 1,400 wine grape varieties, according to industry leaders Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and Dr. Jose Vouillamoz. People talk about a bouquet of cherry and violets in Pinot Noir or notes of green pepper and truffles in Cabernets. Throw in tannins, mouthfeel, acidity, and body, and it’s understandable that to a casual connoisseur, “understanding wine” can start to seem utterly mind-boggling.
Quick Summary:
- Understanding Wine Basics: Learn about the five main wine types, key regions, and grape varieties to simplify wine appreciation.
- Exploring Red Wine: Discover red wine’s winemaking process, from grape to glass, and the unique characteristics of popular varietals.
- Investing with BlockCellar: BlockCellar uses blockchain for secure, easy wine investing, making premium wine collecting accessible to all.
But don’t worry. After reading this series, you should be able to:
- Describe the five main types of wine
- Name the most important wine regions
- Describe some of the most popular grape varieties
We’ll also tell you about some of the best investment-grade wines in each of these categories and introduce you to a simple and secure way to start your collection.
The 5 Main Types of Wine
The combination of terroir (French for soil or earth), climate, altitude, grape varietals, and winemaking techniques employed by the vintner all play a role in shaping the expression of the wine.
Broadly speaking, wine can be broken down into five main categories:
- Red wine
- White wine
- Sparkling Wine/Champagne
- Rose
- Dessert
Let’s dive deeper into our exploration of red wine.
Red Wine
What makes red wine – red?
Once the vintner decides the best time to harvest, dark-skinned grapes are crushed to release their juice. The sugary grape juice and bitter skins (and sometimes stems) are transferred to fermentation tanks to begin the process of converting the grapes’ natural sugar to alcohol.
In the stage of fermentation called maceration, the proto-wine acquires tannins, color, complexity, aromatic compounds, and flavor compounds from the grape skins – a process that can unfold over the course of several days to weeks. At pressing, the wine is separated from the grape solids and is further developed based on the vintner’s artistic vision and winemaking techniques.
Red Wine Characteristics
Color
The final color profile of red wine can range from transparent pale purple for lighter-body wines (like Pinot Noir) to deep ruby for fuller-body wines (like Syrah).
Aromas
Red wine aromas can be complex, ranging from plums, cherries, and berries to spices, earthy, floral, or herbal tones. You aren’t actually smelling berries or flowers but rather a complex assortment of hundreds of terpenes, aldehydes, pyrazines, esters, ketones, diketones, mercaptans, and other aromatic molecules. For example, when you hear someone say that a Cabernet Sauvignon smells like black currant, they are probably picking up on the presence of a compound called 4-Mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone.
Flavors
Red wines are often described as having flavors associated with dark fruits and berries. Oak-aged wines often hint at woody, chocolate, coffee, pepper, and other spices. Like aromas, flavors are a complex interplay of flavor molecules. For example, the flavor of a blackberry is an expression of olfactory and gustatory sensations experienced through a multitude of chemical processes triggered by 150 unique molecules interacting with a thousand different taste and olfactory receptors. Scientists have identified approximately 167 natural flavor molecules in red wine.
Tannins
Red wines typically have a higher tannin content due to longer exposure to the grape skins during fermentation. Tannins are the phenolic compounds in the wine that make the wine dry or astringent, also described as puckery or dusty. They contribute more to the tactile sensation of drinking wine rather than the flavor.
Acidity
Red wines are generally less acidic than white wines. Higher acidity is what makes a wine taste tart and refreshing, while lower acidity leads to a smoother, richer wine.
Body
This refers to the weight and fullness of the wine in your mouth. Red wines can be light-bodied (like some Pinot Noirs), medium-bodied (like Merlots), or full-bodied (like Cabernet Sauvignons). A wine’s body is influenced by factors such as alcohol content, tannin levels, and, in some cases, residual sugars. A light-bodied wine is lower in alcohol content and tannins, while full-bodied wines are typically above 13.5% alcohol and contain more tannins.
Let’s Talk about Red Wine Grapes
Some wines are made from a single varietal, while others are made from a blend of complementary varietals. New-world wine regions are typically labeled by grape varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir), while old-world wines are often labeled by their region (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne).
The most popular red wine grape varietals globally have been cultivated for their distinct flavors and aromas, versatility in pairing with food, and the hardiness of the vines across varied growing regions. Some grapes are temperamental, others thrive in a wide range of climates. Some grapes are meant to play a dominant role in the wine, others exist to add complexity and depth to the blend – like pepper on a steak. Of the thousands of recorded varietals that have survived countless years of selective pressure, the most widely utilized red wine varietals today include:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Believed to be a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, this grape has been cultivated for centuries and is a staple in regions like Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Known for its depth and complexity, Cabernet Sauvignon is often full-bodied with notes of black currant, dark cherries, green bell pepper, and minerality.
Merlot
Believed to have originated in the Bordeaux region of France, Merlot is a grape that has gained worldwide popularity and is a key player in many regions, including its homeland in Bordeaux as well as in areas like California’s Napa Valley. Merlot, which is known for its soft, ripe, and elegant profile, is typically characterized by a medium to full body and a range of flavors that can include ripe red fruits such as cherries and plums, often complemented by notes of chocolate, bay leaf, black tea, and vanilla.
Pinot Noir
Originating from the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir is finding notable success in regions such as Oregon’s Willamette Valley and California’s Sonoma Coast. The grape is known for its aromatic complexity, offering a spectrum of aromas and flavors ranging from red fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries to floral notes of rose and violet, complemented by earthy undertones of mushroom, forest floor, and spice. Pinot Noir is a challenging grape to cultivate. Its sensitivity to the environment produces some of the most diverse expressions of any varietal across regions and vintages.
Syrah/Shiraz
Known as Syrah in Europe and Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, this grape produces rich, bold wines that exhibit flavors reminiscent of dark fruits like blackberry, blueberry, and plum, often accented with spice notes such as black pepper, licorice, and sometimes smoked meat.
Zinfandel
Popular in the United States, Zinfandels are medium to full-bodied wines with “jammy” dark fruit flavors such as blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry balanced with spice, pepper, and sometimes a smoky finish. Riper grapes can add hints of tobacco and dark chocolate.
Sangiovese
This Italian grape is the backbone of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. It offers a spectrum of flavors, from red fruits like cherries and plums to earth and herbs that remind one of oregano or tomato leaves. With age, this wine can develop notes of dried fruit, tobacco, and roasted coffee.
Tempranillo
A staple in Spain, especially in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, Tempranillo produces wines with flavors shared by red fruits like cherry, strawberry, and plum while complimented with hints of earth and leather.
Malbec
Originally from France but now more associated with Argentina, Malbec produces rich, dark wines with flavors of plum, blackberry, and black cherry while complimented with hints of cocoa, violets, and tobacco.
Grenache
Originally from Spain, this drought-resistant varietal produces rich and smooth wines with flavors of red fruit characteristics, such as strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries, often with hints of white pepper, leather, anise, and tobacco.
Explore the World of Wine with Tokenized Real-World Assets
BlockCellar is revolutionizing the world of wine investing through its innovative blockchain-enabled platform. A game-changer in the industry, BlockCellar is designed to simplify and secure the journey of investing in premium wines. Their mission is to democratize the world of investment-grade wine collecting, making it accessible and trustworthy for investors and collectors of all levels.
Why choose BlockCellar?
Here are some compelling reasons:
- Collecting Simplified: BlockCellar streamlines the entire process of buying wine and managing a blockchain-based collection.
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- Transparency & Traceability: Leveraging blockchain technology for complete product security.
The process of engaging with BlockCellar is straightforward and user-friendly:
- Connect Your Wallet: Use an existing wallet or create a new one through BlockCellar.
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Discover the World of Wine Collecting with BlockCellar
Are you ready to step into the future of wine collecting? Visit the BlockCellar marketplace to embark on your journey into the dynamic world of wine collecting. BlockCellar’s innovative approach was built for everyone – whether you’re a seasoned wine collector or just starting out, their platform is designed to be intuitive and simplify your collecting experience.
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