Wine types, explained by taste
Every wine page shows the same five dials (body, sweetness, acidity, tannin and alcohol) so you can compare at a glance. Filter by type or style, then open any wine for food pairings, serving tips and what to try next.
All wines & grapes
Full-bodied redCabernet Sauvignon
blackcurrant · black cherry · cedar · tobacco · vanilla (from oak)
Medium-to-full redMerlot
plum · black cherry · chocolate · bay leaf · soft vanilla
Light-bodied redPinot Noir
red cherry · raspberry · cranberry · mushroom · forest floor
Full-bodied redSyrah / Shiraz
blackberry · blueberry · black pepper · smoked meat · olive
Full-bodied redMalbec
plum · blackberry · cocoa · violet · sweet tobacco
Bold, fruity redZinfandel
blackberry jam · raspberry · black pepper · cinnamon · dried fig
Medium-bodied redSangiovese (Chianti)
sour cherry · tomato leaf · dried herbs · leather · balsamic
Medium-to-full redTempranillo (Rioja)
cherry · dried fig · tobacco · leather · dill and vanilla (American oak)
Medium-bodied redGrenache (Garnacha)
strawberry · raspberry · white pepper · orange peel · dried herbs
Full-bodied redNebbiolo (Barolo)
sour cherry · rose · tar · licorice · dried herbs
Medium-bodied redCabernet Franc
raspberry · red currant · bell pepper · graphite · violet
Very full-bodied redPetite Sirah
blueberry · blackberry · black pepper · dark chocolate · plum
Light-bodied redGamay (Beaujolais)
raspberry · cherry · banana (Nouveau) · violet · pepper
Medium-bodied redBarbera
sour cherry · plum · licorice · dried herbs · black pepper
Medium-to-full redCarménère
red plum · black cherry · green peppercorn · paprika · cocoa
Full-bodied redRed Bordeaux blend
blackcurrant · plum · cedar · graphite · tobacco
Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)Chardonnay
yellow apple · lemon · pineapple · butter · vanilla and toast (oak)
Light, crisp whiteSauvignon Blanc
grapefruit · lime · passion fruit · cut grass · green bell pepper
Light whitePinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
lemon · green apple · pear · almond · white flowers
Aromatic white, dry to sweetRiesling
lime · green apple · peach · honey · petrol (with age)
Sweet, lightly sparkling whiteMoscato
peach · orange blossom · grape · honeysuckle · mandarin
Medium white, dry to sweetChenin Blanc
quince · yellow apple · honey · chamomile · lanolin
Aromatic, rich whiteGewürztraminer
lychee · rose petal · ginger · grapefruit · sweet spice
Full-bodied aromatic whiteViognier
apricot · peach · honeysuckle · orange blossom · vanilla
Light, crisp whiteAlbariño
lime · nectarine · grapefruit · sea salt · white flowers
Light-to-medium crisp whiteGrüner Veltliner
lime · green apple · white pepper · celery · radish
Dry pink wineRosé
strawberry · watermelon · red currant · citrus peel · rose petal
Dry sparkling wineChampagne
green apple · lemon · brioche · almond · toast
Light, fruity sparkling wineProsecco
green apple · pear · honeydew · white flowers · lemon
Dry sparkling wineCava
lemon · quince · almond · toast · chalk
Sweet fortified redPort
blackberry · raisin · chocolate · caramel (tawny) · walnut (tawny)
Sweet whiteSauternes & dessert whites
apricot · honey · marmalade · saffron · toasted nuts
The five things that make a wine taste the way it does
- Body: how heavy it feels. Skim milk (Pinot Grigio) to cream (Cabernet).
- Sweetness: most wines are dry; Moscato, Port and some Rieslings are sweet.
- Acidity: makes your mouth water; high-acid wines are the most food-friendly.
- Tannin: the drying grip in reds, from grape skins and oak.
- Alcohol: higher alcohol feels warmer and fuller.
Find a wine you love, then use the “If you like this, try…” suggestions on its page to explore similar styles.