Types Of Wine

From red wine to white wine, there are good varieties of wine that you must know before sipping and relishing its taste. Although many of us may think that recognising wines into the red or white wine can be as simple as identifying a colour, each type has its own taste, character and identity according to grape varieties, aroma, sweet, the percentage of alcohol and wine region. In fact, the process of winemaking in Queensland is different in every way – it is diverse and sophisticated. If you are new in the world of wine, then have a look at this blog post.

Here is the list of the most popular types of red and white wine in Queensland. Also, discover the best ways to pair wine with food.

Let’s get started!

Types of Red Wine

Red wine is one of the most popular cocktails across Australia. It has many varieties, styles, aromas, and flavours. There around three different varieties of red grapes including Cabernet, Syrah and Zinfandel. All the different brands and types of wine are produced from these grape varieties. Today, we will unveil the most popular red wine types along with its food pairing.

Syrah (Also known as Shiraz)

Syrah or Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape variety, which is primarily used to produce red wine. It is Australia’s most consumed red wine and is popularly known as Shiraz. The aroma of Syrah is quite peppery, minty and floral. It can sometimes be spicy or smoky. In cool climates, it brings out the mint and pepperiness flavour, while the warmer it gets the taste changes from raspberry to blackberry and looks chocolaty in colour.

Origin: France, Rhone wine region

Popular in: Australia (particularly in Queensland), California, South Africa, etc.

Food Pairings: This dark and smoky wine can be best tuned with meat (beef, steak, stews and wild game).

Fun fact: Syrah or Shiraz is used to produce some of the finest and darkest red wines with exceptional longevity and intense flavours.

Merlot

A dark blue-coloured and exotic wine grape variety, Merlot is used for producing a variety of wines. The Merlot name is originated from the French name for the blackbird called ‘Merle’ which is purely justified with its colour. It is one of the most predominant varieties of red wine which is popular across Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

It typically brings out plums, black cherry and herbal flavours. The red wines produced from Merlot are less rough (tannic) than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Origin: France

Popular Regions: Australia, Bordeaux, Central Valley

Food Pairings: This type of red wine can be paired up with any food.

Fun Fact: It is the fourth most popular wine grape variety after Sultanine Blanche, Grenanche noir and Airen blanc.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Renowned as one of the best red wine grape varieties across the world, Cabernet Sauvignon is dark-red coloured grape used to produce peppy and minty red wines. It is grown in almost every major wine producing country including Australia. Cabernet Sauvignon is best blended with merlot and cabernet franc. The best part about this red wine grape type is that it is firm and peppy in taste.

Origin: France

Popular Regions: Australia’s Margaret River and Coonawarra Regions, Brisbane, Gold Coast, New Zealand, California, and all the major wine producing regions of Europe.

Food Pairings: Goes best with simple and authentic red meat.

Fun Fact: Cabernet Sauvignon has many health benefits as it has multiple antioxidant properties.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the world’s noblest red wine grapes, which is unique and difficult to grow grape type. The name is derived from the French words called ‘Pine and Black’. The pine word refers to the grape variety having cone-shaped pine bunches of fruit. When it comes to the tasting, Pinot Noir is soft, aromatic and delicate. It simply brings out fruit flavours and is rarely blended with any other wine grape variety.

Origin: France

Popular Countries/Region: Australia, New Zealand, California, Oregon and Austria.

Food Pairings: It goes perfectly with grilled chicken, salmon and lamb.

Fun Fact: Pinot Noir is a very difficult grape variety to grow and transform into wine. This means it is precious and of course delectable.

Types of White Wines

There are some of the best varieties of white grapes that are used to produce white wines. The types of white wine grapes are Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Moscato. All these are categorised by names, flavours and texture.

Chardonnay

A green-coloured grape variety, Chardonnay is often used to produce white wine. It is produced in all wine producing countries including Australia (Queensland), England, California, New Zealand, etc. The white wines produced from Chardonnay are usually fermented in oak barrels and adds a buttery flavour such as toast, toffee or vanilla. It simply gives citrus fruit flavours along with some toasty character and unique aroma.

Origin: Burgundy Wine Region, Eastern France

Popular Regions: Brisbane, Gold Coast, New Zealand, California, England, etc.

Food Pairings: Excellent with grilled fish and chicken dishes.

Fun Fact: Despite the most versatile and successful cultivated records in viticultural areas, it only amounts to around 2 % of world vine areas.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is also a green-skinned grape variety used to produce exotic white wine. The grape variety originated from the Bordeaux region, Franc and derived its name from the French words ‘Sauvage and blanc’. It is one of the most popular white wines among winemakers across France and Australia. The Sauvignon Blanc taste is quite different from other white wines – it gives more herbaceous and green flavours. It offers the flavours of lime, passion fruit and green apple.

Origin: Bordeaux Region, France

Popular Regions: New Zealand and Loire Valley

Food Pairings: Its taste blends best with seafood and salads.

Fun Fact: Some Sauvignon Blancs produced in Australia tends to be flat and less fruity in taste. It is because of warmer climate conditions.

Moscato

It is a very famous variety which belongs to the Muscat family of grapes. It is a wine from Italy which can be sipped without any food as it is sweet, tasty and low in alcohol. Moscato is best known as a dessert wine – as it brings out the flavours of fresh orange, peach along with a slight fizz.

Origin: Italy

Popular Regions: Austria, Rhone Valley and other vine-friendly climate regions.

Food Pairings: It shows best on its own. You can pair it with any dessert.

Fun Fact: Moscato wines are easily recognisable- thanks to its sweet and fruity flavour.

Gewurztraminer

It is one of the most aromatic wine grape varieties, used to produce white wines. It is born in the Alsace region of France and smells identical to Lychee Fruit. If you are searching for a sweet, mild and aromatic wine, then Gewurztraminer is a perfect option. It smells good and tastes exceptionally amazing.

Origin: France

Popular Regions: Germany, The U.S, West Coast.

Food Pairings: Can be sipped ideally or can be consumed with Asian food or grilled sausages.

Fun Fact: It is one of the most refreshing white wines across the world.

Conclusion

These are the eight different types and flavours of red and white wine grape varieties. You can indulge more in the world of wines by exploring more about the varieties and styles of wines available in Queensland.