The 9 Main Types of Wine: A Simple Guide to What's in Your Glass

It’s a feeling we all know. You’re standing in the wine aisle, faced with a wall of bottles. There are hundreds of names from dozens of countries, and all you want to do is pick a bottle you’ll actually enjoy without feeling like you’re just guessing.

Let's end that confusion for good.

Welcome to your definitive, no-snobbery guide to the main types of wine. Forget memorizing obscure regions or complicated jargon. This is about understanding the core players—the wines you’ll see on every menu and in every store. Learning these nine types will give you the confidence to navigate that wine wall like a pro and find incredible value along the way.

We'll break down what each one tastes like, what food to pair it with, and—most importantly for us—which regions offer the best bang for your buck.

The 5 Main Types of Red Wine

Red wines are made from black grapes, where the juice is fermented with the grape skins, giving the wine its color, flavor, and texture. The secret word here is tannins, a natural compound in grape skins that creates that drying sensation in your mouth, like strong black tea.

1. Cabernet Sauvignon

AKA: "The King"

What Does It Taste Like? This is a bold, full-bodied wine. Think of dark fruits like black cherry and blackberry, with notes of vanilla, cedar, and sometimes a hint of green bell pepper.

Try It If You Like: A strong cup of black coffee or a perfectly seared steak.

Pour Man's Pairing: The classic match is a burger or a juicy steak. The wine’s tannins are a perfect match for the fat in the meat.

Value Regions to Look For: While Napa Valley is famous (and pricey), look for incredible value from Paso Robles, California, and Chile.

2. Merlot

AKA: "The Crowd-Pleaser"

What Does It Taste Like? Softer and smoother than Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a rounder, silkier texture with flavors of plum, black cherry, and notes of chocolate and herbs.

Try It If You Like: A rich piece of dark chocolate or a comfortable leather chair.

Pour Man's Pairing: Works with almost anything, from roasted chicken to pasta with a red sauce.

Value Regions to Look For: Look for fantastic and affordable examples from Washington State and right-bank Bordeaux blends from France.

3. Pinot Noir

AKA: "The Heartbreaker"

What Does It Taste Like? This is a light-bodied red wine that’s all about elegance. It’s bursting with bright red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, with earthy notes of mushroom and a silky-smooth finish.

Try It If You Like: Freshly picked berries or a cozy, earthy scent after it rains.

Pour Man's Pairing: The ultimate "food wine." It’s perfect with salmon, roasted chicken, or mushroom risotto.

Value Regions to Look For: Great Pinot is famously expensive, but you can find amazing value from Chile, New Zealand, and less-famous regions of California.

4. Syrah / Shiraz

AKA: "The Powerhouse"

What Does It Taste Like? This is a dark, rich, and powerful red. In France (Syrah), it’s more savory with notes of blackberry, olive, and bacon fat. In Australia (Shiraz), it’s jammier with big flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and black pepper.

Try It If You Like: A peppery steak or smoky BBQ.

Pour Man's Pairing: The bold flavors are a match made in heaven for grilled meats, BBQ ribs, and hearty stews.

Value Regions to Look For: The Rhône Valley in France (look for "Côtes du Rhône") offers some of the best wine values on the planet.

5. Zinfandel

AKA: "The All-American"

What Does It Taste Like? A bold, fruit-forward red that’s often described as "jammy." Expect big flavors of strawberry jam, blueberry, and a distinct sweet tobacco and spice finish.

Try It If You Like: A slice of warm berry pie.

Pour Man's Pairing: A perfect match for anything off the grill, especially sausages, or a classic pepperoni pizza.

Value Regions to Look For: While Dry Creek Valley is a benchmark, look for killer value Zinfandel from Lodi, California.

The 4 Main Types of White Wine

White wines are typically made from green grapes and are fermented without the grape skins, resulting in a lighter color and no tannins. They are all about fresh fruit flavors and bright acidity.

1. Chardonnay

AKA: "The Chameleon"

What Does It Taste Like? It’s a tale of two styles. Unoaked Chardonnay is crisp and clean, with flavors of green apple, lemon, and pineapple. Oaked Chardonnay (the classic California style) is richer and creamier, with notes of butter, vanilla, and toasted nuts.

Try It If You Like: A crisp apple (Unoaked) or a buttery pastry (Oaked).

Pour Man's Pairing: Unoaked is great with shellfish and sushi. Oaked is perfect for lobster, crab, or roasted chicken.

Value Regions to Look For: For unoaked, look to Western Australia. For a buttery, oaked style at a great price, check out Chile.

2. Sauvignon Blanc

AKA: "Savvy B"

What Does It Taste Like? This is a dry, zesty white wine known for its high acidity and herbal notes. Expect in-your-face flavors of grapefruit, passionfruit, and a characteristic "green" note of freshly cut grass or jalapeño.

Try It If You Like: A tart grapefruit or a zesty lime margarita.

Pour Man's Pairing: Fantastic with salads, goat cheese, and anything with fresh herbs.

Value Regions to Look For: New Zealand is the benchmark, but you can find incredible value from Chile and the Loire Valley, France.

3. Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

AKA: "The Porch Pounder"

What Does It Taste Like? Clean, simple, and refreshing. Pinot Grigio (the Italian style) is light and crisp with flavors of lemon, lime, and green apple. Pinot Gris (the French style) can be a bit richer and more full-bodied.

Try It If You Like: A cold glass of lemonade on a hot day.

Pour Man's Pairing: The perfect aperitif or a match for light fish dishes, salads, and appetizers.

Value Regions to Look For: It's already a value superstar, but the best examples come from the Veneto region of Italy.

4. Riesling

AKA: "The Secret Superstar"

What Does It Taste Like? Riesling is incredibly versatile and can range from bone-dry to super sweet. It always has high acidity and aromatic notes of lime, green apple, and beeswax. Don't assume it's always sweet!

Try It If You Like: Sweet and sour candy or biting into a juicy green apple.

Pour Man's Pairing: This is the undisputed champion for pairing with spicy food, like Thai or Indian curry.

Value Regions to Look For: Germany is the homeland, but you can find amazing and affordable dry Rieslings from Washington State and the Finger Lakes in New York.

What About Rosé and Bubbly?

You might notice Rosé and Sparkling Wine aren't on this list. That's because they are styles of wine, not types of grapes. Rosé can be made from almost any red grape, and Sparkling Wine can be made from a blend of red and white grapes. They are essential categories to know, but that's a story for another article!

The goal isn't to become an expert overnight. It's to start a conversation and an exploration. Pick one wine from this list that sounds good, find a value bottle from one of the regions we mentioned, and give it a try. You’re on your way to drinking better.

 

Cheers!