The world of wine can be a big and overwhelming one. With all the information out there and the dozens of varietals to choose from, where does someone new to this fine beverage even begin? Knowing some of the basics of the most common wines on the market today can give anyone a good head start in learning about and enjoying wine on a deeper level.

We talk about ten popular wines that you’re bound to encounter. A note on the flavor profiles: the flavors for each will vary from wine to wine and are dependent on where the grapes came from, how the wine was made, etc. Here, we’re aiming to give a few notes on what you may commonly experience with each of these wines. 

Cabernet Sauvignon

Countries of Origin: France, United States, Australia, South America, Italy, and Spain. 

Common Flavor Profiles: Red and black fruits like cherry and blackberry, cinnamon, and dark chocolate

Fun Facts: It is the most widely planted grape in the world. 

Chardonnay

Countries of Origin: France, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, North America

Common Flavor Profiles: Apple, butter, vanilla, chalk/minerals

Fun Facts: Chardonnay is the most popular wine in the United States. 

Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio

Countries of Origin: Italy, United States, France

Common Flavor Profiles: Peach, lemon, minerals, apple

Fun Facts: This white wine is made from a red-colored grape.

Pinot Noir

Countries of Origin: France and North America

Common Flavor Profiles: Cherry, raspberry, earth, mushroom

Fun Facts: They are very challenging grapes to produce due to the “pine cone” like structure pattern in which they grow. 

Sauvignon Blanc

Countries of Origin: France, New Zealand, Chile

Common Flavor Profiles: Lime, grapefruit, grass, passionfruit

Fun Facts: Sauvignon Blanc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. 

Merlot

Countries of Origin: France, Italy, Chile, United States

Common Flavor Profiles: Cherry, plum, chocolate, vanilla

Fun Facts: Merlot is considered one of the six historical noble grapes along with: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

White Zinfandel

Countries of Origin: United States

Common Flavor Profiles: Red berry, citrus, melon, pineapple

Fun Facts: This is a rosé wine made from Zinfandel grapes.

Malbec

Countries of Origin: Argentina and France

Common Flavor Profiles: Tobacco, cocoa, vanilla, red plum

Fun Facts: Originally born in France, today Argentina is known for producing some of the finest Malbec in the world. 

Riesling

Countries of Origin: Germany

Common Flavor Profiles: Apricot, lemon, lime, apple, honey

Fun Facts: Riesling can be either dry or sweet and the flavor and aroma profiles will vary significantly depending on which variety you select. 

Shiraz / Syrah

Countries of Origin: Australia and France

Common Flavor Profiles: Smoke, herbs, red and black fruits, vanilla, spices

Fun Facts: Syrah is the French name for this type of wine and Shiraz is from Australia. 

 

There you have it! A few handy facts about some of the most common wines on the market today. The world of wine has so much to explore and enjoy don’t be afraid to try a few out and find out what you like. Maybe pour yourself a little flight at home with friends or family.

 

Wine Tasting Basics

Need more details? Full article on How to Drink Wine here.

There are four basic elements of tasting wine: seeing, swirling, smelling, and sipping (this one is definitely our favorite). When you’ve finally got that glass in your hand then the fun can begin!

1. Sight: Take a few moments to really examine your wine. Notice how light or dark in color it is. Tilt it slightly forward and look for any impurities, cloudiness, or clarity.
2. Swirl: Place the glass on the table, hold it by the stem, and swirl it around a few times. While swirling notice if the wine is leaving little streaks (legs) on the side of the glass. Swirling is a crucial part of tasting as the act of moving the wine around allows the aromas to rise up making them available to your nose for the next step: smelling!
3. Smell: While holding the wine, stick your nose into the glass and deeply inhale. Notice any familiar scents: lemon, apple, berries, smoke, earth, minerals, etc. Giving your wine a good sniff excites and prepares your brain for the best part of the wine tasting experience: sipping. 
4. Sip: Last but not least, take a sip of the wine and swirl it around your mouth before swallowing. Observe the flavors, acidity, sweetness or dryness.

With this information, you can better enjoy your wine.

Need more wine basics? Check out our Wine Guide below!