What is Wine?
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes. Yeast converts the sugars in grape juice into ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process — a practice dating back over 8,000 years.
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GRAPE VARIETIES
WINE TYPES
WINE PAIRINGS
WINE BASICS
Four main types
Red
Made from dark-skinned grapes. Rich, bold, tannic.
White
Made from green or yellow grapes. Light and crisp.
Rosé
Brief contact with grape skins. Fruity and refreshing.
Sparkling
Contains CO₂ bubbles. Festive and lively.
How wine is made
Wine is made by fermenting crushed grapes using natural or added yeast. During fermentation, the sugars in the grapes turn into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The liquid is then separated, filtered, and sometimes aged in barrels to develop flavor. Different grape varieties and techniques create different types of wine. The final product is bottled and ready to drink.
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What Is Wine? FAQ
What is wine?
Wine is an alcoholic drink made when grape juice ferments. During fermentation, yeast turns the natural sugar in grapes into alcohol. Different grapes, regions, and winemaking methods create different styles of wine.
What is wine made from?
Wine is most commonly made from grapes, but the flavor depends on the grape variety, climate, soil, fermentation style, and aging process. Learn more in our grape varieties guide.
What are the main types of wine?
The main types of wine include red wine, white wine, rosé, sparkling wine, and dessert wine. Each type has its own flavor, color, body, and food pairing style.
What is the difference between red wine and white wine?
Red wine is usually made with darker grapes and has more tannin, body, and structure. White wine is often lighter, crisper, and more refreshing. Start with our wine types guide to compare styles.
Is wine sweet or dry?
Wine can be sweet, dry, or somewhere in between. Dry wine has little residual sugar, while sweet wine keeps more natural grape sugar after fermentation.
What wine is best for beginners?
Beginner-friendly wines are usually smooth, balanced, and easy to pair with food. White wine, rosé, sparkling wine, and lighter reds are good places to start. Visit our wine for beginners guide.
How do you pair wine with food?
Wine pairing works best when the weight, acidity, sweetness, and flavor of the wine match the food. Crisp whites work well with seafood, reds pair with richer meats, and sparkling wine is great with salty foods. Explore our food and wine pairing guide.
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