While some people might assume different types of wine are segregated merely into reds and whites, this is an oversimplification. While red and white wines have their differences, it is the variety within each group that reveals something about its taste. Although prices range from very cheap to extremely expensive, it is not necessary to spend a fortune for good wine.
Generally speaking, white wines go well with seafood, chicken, turkey, Chinese food and some pork dishes. Red wines go well with red meats such as beef, roasts and filets, lamb, duck, veal, pastas and sausages. This rule is not absolute, however.
Some types of white wine might go very well with red meat, while a particular red could be the perfect complement to your seafood cuisine. Generalizations are simply guidelines developed by professionals within the wine community, and individuals should feel free to experiment with different types of wine and food combinations.
Various types of wine are made and imported from all over the world. To list them all would be an all-consuming task, but a look at a smaller sample within the United States might be helpful. In particular, California wines have become widely known due to the state's excellent conditions for growing and harvesting certain wine grapes. Of the many types of wine that California produces, people can find chardonnay, French colombard, gewurztraminer, Johannisberg riesling, and sauvignon blanc among the whites. White wines range in style from bone dry to sweet and are usually not aged in wood barrels to preserve freshness and taste. Chardonnay can be the exception, as many are aged in oak.
At the other end of the spectrum are red wines. California produces cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite syrah, pinot noir, zinfandel and blush wines. These wines tend to be more dry and are slightly more acidic. Red wines are commonly aged in wood for a complex, deep flavor, or are produced with a light, fruity flavor. Pure grape juice is naturally clear, so red wines gain their color from the skin of the grapes.
Whether red or white, there are plenty of flavorful types of wine to satisfy the desire of any palette. Consumers should try not to limit themselves to just one variety, even if they enjoy it, since there is a wide world of wines to explore.