What is the difference between white wine, red wine, and rosé wine?

Unless you’re a wine aficionado, you may only have a vague idea of the differences between white, red, and rosé wine.  While it’s true that all three do share some characteristics, it’s also true that there are some very large differences between the three, and it doesn’t all have to do with taste, though that is one of the biggest differences.  Some people may wonder why it matters to know the difference between the three.  Choosing the wrong wine to go with a meal, especially in a social setting, can be a major faux pas in some social circles. 

All wines are made from grapes, and this is where the differences between the different types of wines begin.  There are actually six different types of wines: white, red, rosé, sparkling, dessert, and fortified wines.  However, white, red, and rosé wines are the most popular.  One of the sparkling wine, especially champagne, is also fairly popular, especially at events like weddings.

White wines have very little pigmentation, and almost all white wines are made from white grapes.  However, black grapes can also be used because their juices are actually clear.  The grape skin is removed before the wine is fermented.  White wines vary in taste—some are quite dry, while others are fairly sweet.  There are a number of popular white wines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer.  White wines work well with pork, fish, and chicken, among other things.

Wine makers use black grapes to make red wine, as well, but unlike White Wine, red wine has a red or sometimes even a blue colour to it.  This colour comes from the grape skins, which are kept with the juice during the fermentation process.  These skins include tannins, a polyphenol that causes a dry feeling in the throat and mouth.  These tannins also make red wine last longer, so it can be aged longer than white wine.  Red wines include Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Red wine is perfect for red meat, pasta, and grilled food of all types.

Some people have never heard of rosé wines.  This is because they are sometimes called pink wines or blush wines.  They are also made from black grapes, but unlike red wines, the skins are removed after a few hours.  This gives the wine a slight pink colour and a bit of that dry taste caused by tannins, but not as much as red wine.  Rosé wines are usually pretty sweet, although traditional rosé wine from Europe is some of the driest wine available.  Rosé wines include White Merlot and White Zinfandel.

Finally, champagne is a type of sparkling wine that is usually drunk on New Year’s Eve and at major events.  Technically, a sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it is made from grapes from the Champagne region of France.  The major difference between champagne and other wines is that champagne contains carbon dioxide.  This is what gives champagne and other sparkling wines their bubbles.