3 types
Still Wines are the majority.
Still means without Carbon Dioxide (CO2), so no bubbles.
They have an ABV (alcohol by volume) between 8-15%.
They are named after the region of origin or the grape variety.
Examples of wines named after region: Chianti and Valpolicella (Italy), Bordeaux and Burgundy (France), Rioja and Ribeira del Duero(Spain).
Examples of wines named after grape: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay.
Sparkling Wines wines are effervescent (fizzy).
The bubbles come from the Carbon Dioxide gas (CO2) trapped in the bottle.
Examples of Sparkling Wines are: Champagne, Cremant, Cava, Prosecco, Sekt.
There are 3 methods to get bubbles: 1) Secondary Fermentation in the bottle 2) Pressurized Tank 3) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) injection.
Most Sparkling Wines are white or rosé. Exceptions are Lambrusco and Sparkling Shiraz.
Sweetness: from very dry (Brut Nature, Zéro Dosage) to Sweet (Doux).
Fortified Wines means that distilled spirit is added to a wine base.
As a consequence they have an ABV (alcohol by volume) between 15-22%.
Examples of fortified wines are: Port, Madeira, Marsala, Sherry, Vermouth.
Sweetness: from dry to sweet.