A beginner's guide to wine

Wine has been a universal drink staple since pre-Biblical times. Here in Utah wine can only be purchased in liquor stores, but it remains a staple for dinner parties and special occasions anyway. However, if you are a wine novice, walking through the selection at the liquor store can be a little overwhelming. So for your next visit, here is a brief summary of the six most common wine groups with examples of each one to help you make the right purchase. If you would like more detailed information about different wines, click here.

White wines: White wines are almost always made from white grapes so they have little to no pigmentation. White wines can range from sweet to dry and include chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (dry), Riesling (medium sweet to dry) and Sauvignon Blanc (fairly light and sweet).

Red Wines: Red wines are made with red or black grapes and the grape skins are allowed to sit in the juice during the fermentation process. Another difference between white and red wines is tannins. Tannins are naturally occurring chemicals that, among other things, make the wine dry, leaving a pucker sensation in your mouth and throat. So, red wines tend to be drier than other wines. Some popular types include merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti.

Rose wines: Rose wines are also known as blush or pink wines and tend to be lighter and sweeter than red or white wines because they are a blend of the two. They are more ‘drinkable’ and can be paired with almost any type of meal. Popular types include white merlot and white zinfandel. These are great beginner wines.

Sparkling wines: These are wines that contain carbon dioxide bubbles and are made from any type of grape. Champagne is the most popular type of sparkling wine but others include Crémant d’Alsace, Moscato d’Asti and Prosecco.

Dessert wines: Dessert wines are made specifically to keep as much natural sugar in them as possible. This makes them highly drinkable, but they are best used with or as a dessert, not with dinner.

Refined wines: Refined wines are made differently than other wines by adding brandy or another type of juice during the fermentation process. This halts the fermentation of the wine so the sugar concentration stays very high. Some popular types include Madeira, Port, Sherry and Sauternes.