Wine and Wines in the Philippines.

The rule of wining and dining is simple: White meat = white wine; red meat = red wine. But different grape varieties make different types of wine. The difference does not end with red wine or white wine either. Here’s a helpful guide to knowing your wines.

Champagne

Make no mistake. Not every sparkling wine is a champagne. Only sparkling wines from the Champagne region in the northeast of France is rightfully called Champagne. These party drinks can be made from three grape varities: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Maunier.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the most popular of white grapes and the most purchased dry white wine. Chardonnay is grown in nearly every wine producing area of the world, including New Zealand, California and Australia. They are usually aged in oak barrels producing a wine that is rich in strong flavors and aromas. Excellent Chardonnays are recognized by their fruity character with vanilla and buttery components.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Called the King of Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is known for producing big, complex, aged red wines. The best variety comes from Bordeaux in France. It is grown in most of the major wine producing areas like the Napa Valley, California. Cabernet Sauvignon can make dark, purple, full bodied wines.

Merlot

The Merlot grapes are mainstays of the Bordeaux region. Similar to the Cabernet Sauvignon but less tannic, more lush and with silky texture. Full-bodied with flavors of cherry, plum, and chocolate. Produces fruity and dark wine when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the premier grape variety of the Burgundy region in France. Produces wine that is rich and complex, tasting of black cherries, raspberries, and mint but a difficult variety to cultivate. Production of pinot noir dates back over two thousand years.

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc is distinct from Pinot Noir as it produces a soft, fruity dry white wine that is comparable to Chardonnays, but less complex and does not age well.. Pinot Blanc is high in acidity and has hints of apple and spice. Another Pinot variety is Pinot Gris, brown colored grape that also produces white dry wine and successfully grown in Oregon, USA.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a widely grown grape variety in California wine region. Offers a very fruity character and blends very well with Chardonnay. But mainly viewed as cheap and common, and doesn’t fetch a high price at the wineries.

Grenache

The world’s second most widely grown grape variety, Grenache produces sweet wine that doesn’t have a lot of character. Grown in places that deals with drought and extreme heat.

Riesling

Riesling is a white grape variety of wines grown historically in Alsace (France), Austria, Germany (see German wine), and northern Italy. has a high level of acidity and are very floral and fruity.

Semillion

Sémillon is a golden-skinned grape used to make dry and sweet white wines, most notably in France and Australia. The grape has low acidity and peachy roundness. Usually very inexpensive and often criticized for lack of complexity and intensity.

Zinfandel

Also known as Zin is European in origin but now widely cultivated in California. Zinfandel grapes produce a wide range of wine styles including sweet White Zinfandels and light-bodied reds reminiscent of Beaujolais nouveau. Zinfandel wines are very popular among American wine drinkers.