There is no such thing as a perfect wine… in absolute.
Like there is no such thing as perfect people.
But there is such thing as a perfect wine for an occasion.
This is simply the one that matches your needs and expectations of the moment. Like the right friend would, getting along well with your mood.
So how do we find that perfect friend of a wine that pairs perfectly with the moment?
- First, by having a little bit of wine knowledge
- Second, by knowing your wine styles
Those are essentially the 2 keys.
When you go to a restaurant (imagine a Chinese, French or Italian one), and you haven’t got a clue what the dish names stand for, chances are you WILL be disappointed by what you’ve ordered.
But know your Crème Brulée from your Tiramisu, and you will always pick the dessert that’s right for you, right?
To make your life easier we’ve designed the above infographic that allows you to easily select the type of wine that’s right for you.
This infographic organizes over 60 types of wine by taste, origin and style.
Also Find How to Always Pour the Perfect White Wine:
How does it work?
- From the central bottle of red wine that represents the perfect pick for your taste and what you feel like on the occasion, first select your desired style of wine among the four main types: sparkling, dry, sweet, or dessert.
- Then select your favorite country or refine which wine taste style you feel like having (e.g. bold, tannic, spicy, etc.) before selecting your country.
The chart then provides you with a few wine types that correspond to your choices: the prefect bottle of red wine for you at that moment.
60+ Main Red Wine Categories by Style:
-
Dessert:
Dessert wines are called this way for a reason. They’re sweet, strong, and go particularly well with sweet dishes: desserts. But many also like to enjoy before a meal, as an aperitif to accompany cheese or nibbles.
Most wine countries produce dessert wines. Travel a little with a glass of wine picking one from the main types below:
- Portugal:
- Ruby Port
- Reserve Port
- Tawny Port
- LBV Port
- Vintage Port
- France:
- Banyuls
- Maury
- Rivesaltes
- Pineau des Charentes Rouge
- Italy: Marsala
- Spain: Malaga
- Greece: Mavrodaphne of Patras
- California & Australia: Ports
-
Sparkling:
Sparkling reds are actually not very common in the world of wine. This is a niche category. But it doesn’t mean it is not filled with wines well worth exploring.
- France:
- Loire Cabernet Franc
- Italy:
- Lambrusco
- Aglianico Spumante
- Brachetto d’Acqui
- Freisa di Chieri
- Sangue di Giuda
- Australia: Sparkling Shiraz
-
Sweet:
When reds are sweet but not overly rich and alcoholic like dessert wines are, they make for wines that go well with certain foods for those who likesome extra sweetness in their meal and in their life.
- Italy:
- Recioto di Valpolicella
- Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
- Schiava
- Chocolate wine
- California:
- Sweet Red Blend
- Black Muscat
- Germany:
- Dornfelder
- Trollinger
-
Dry:
Dry reds are obviously the main red wine category, counting with the largest number of wine styles, so it needed a bit more dividing.
Whether you like it bold and powerful, tannic, light, spicy or rather savory and earthy, we’ve got the right style for you from all around the world.
- Bold:
- Aussie Shiraz
- California Zinfandel
- Puglia Primitivo
- Argentina Malbec
- Chilean Cabernet
- Amarone della Valpolicella
- Languedoc-Roussillon Red
- Tannic:
- Madiran
- Piedmont Nebbiolo
- Priorat
- Super Tuscan
- Bordeaux Red
- Portuguese Touriga
- Ribera del Duero
- Light & Fruity:
- Beaujolais Nouveau
- Macon Pinot Noir
- Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil
- Ciliegiolo (Umbria or Liguria)
- New Zealand Pinot Noir
- Earthy:
- Chinon
- Burgundy Cotes de Nuits
- Chianti Classico
- Spanish Monastrell
- Piedmont Dolcetto
- Chilean Carmenere
- Spicy:
- Valpolicella
- Barbera d’Alba
- South Africa Pinotage
- Cotes du Rhone Syrah
- USA Petite Sirah (Durif)
- Trentino-Alto Adige Lagrein
Also Find How to Always Pour the Perfect White Wine:
Find out more and all of Social Vignerons Wine Infographics
This infographic was designed and developed by Fernanda Franco on an original concept by Social Vignerons.
Fernanda Franco is fine artist and designer, she finds inspiration in her travels and in nature and in color, recent art/wine trips include France, Italy, England and Spain. Her ever-growing body of fine art includes monotypes, blockprints, drawings and watercolors on paper. Fernanda has worked as a senior graphic designer for JPMorgan Private Bank, MoMa, the Whitney Museum and several design studios in New York.
Find more about Fernanda and her work at www.fernandafranco.com
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