What are the different varieties of wine?

There are many types of wines and the way to classify them is often complicated. There are many criteria under which we can organise them: age (No Crianza, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva), type of grape, sugar content (Dry, Abocado, Semi-Dry, Semi-Sweet and Sweet), ageing in barrel or bottle and more.

On this occasion, we will focus on the best-known wine classifications such as the result from the colour of the grape (red, white and rosé), and their production (sparkling and fortified).

Red wine

First of all, there is red wine.

As the name suggests, red wine is made mainly from red grapes. The colour of these wines can be purple, pale red or ruby.

The alcoholic fermentation of red wine is carried out with the must and skins of the grapes. This gives red wine its characteristic colour. It also acquires tannin, unlike white wines.

White wine

Secondly, we can find white wine.

White wine is made from the must of white grapes. Red grapes may also be used, as long as they do not have coloured pulp and are not macerated with their skins.

For the production of white wine, the grapes are pressed, obtaining their characteristic yellow, golden, greenish or pale yellow tone.

Rosé wine

Regarding rosé wine, there are three ways of producing it:

– By contact with the skins or by direct pressing (the red grapes are pressed and left to macerate for a short period of time).

– By bleeding after destemming and pressing (mashing the must for a short period of time, after which about 10% of the must is removed).

– Blend of red and white grapes

Rosé wines absorb very little tannin.

Sparkling wine

There is also sparkling wine.

Sparkling wines naturally contain carbon dioxide gas. This happens thanks to a second fermentation, in closed bottles or tanks. That is, when the carbon dioxide that has been released cannot “escape” and dissolves. 

If they follow the traditional method (champenoise method) and belong to the D.O. in the Champagne vineyard, they can be considered champagne or equivalent.

Sparkling wines produced in Spain are called cavas. They also use the champenoise method.

Fortified wine

Finally, we find fortified wine.

Fortified wines are characterised by an increase in alcohol content and a halt in fermentation. They generally have a high alcohol content (between 15 and 25º). 

Spain is one of the world’s leading producers of fortified wines.

LEV2050

At LEV2050 we have products and services for all types of wine, regardless of how it is made or the colour of the grape.

If you would like to know more about these products, services or about LEV2050, do not hesitate to visit our website, where you can find all the information you are looking for. There you will find all the information you are looking for, we hope you liked it!