The different types of wine that exist

Wine, more than a drink, is an millennial culture that has captivated palates throughout history. Its production, influenced by the climate, the soil and the passion of the winemaker, results in a universe of flavors, aromas and colors that invite you to a sensory journey without equal.

Embark on this fascinating tour and prepare to submerge yourself in the secrets hidden by the various types of wine that exist. From natural and signature, to ecological, biodynamic and classic such as red, white, rosé and generous. Awaken your curiosity and delve into the details of each type of wine. Learn to distinguish their aromas, flavors and characteristics to become an expert in the field.

NATURAL WINES:

Natural wines are wines without sulfites, without added yeasts, without filtering or clarifying, without additives of any kind, a living product in constant evolution and with an expiration date, they are signature wines, they seek minimal intervention both in the field and in the winery. Its production is lower and its price is higher. Detractors of natural wines claim that they are flawed wines, but their followers do not drink anything else. These are some premises that natural wines must meet:

1. CULTIVATION that is respectful of the environment: Some type of agriculture is practiced such as ecological or biodynamicor simply ancient methods are followed using only natural products. Natural cycles are respected. No chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, systemic fungicides or genetically manipulated organisms are used.
2. The VINEGROWER is the AUTHOR: The Author of the wine controls the vineyard, is responsible for all the work carried out and makes the decisions.
3. AUTHENTICITY and UNIQUENESS:The grape must reflect the conditions of the land and the vintage. The work is manual and artisanal.

The wine is not filtered or clarified, to preserve the natural characteristics of the wine.

Commercial yeasts or any other product are not used to accelerate or drive alcoholic fermentation.

No malolactic bacteria are used to accelerate or drive malolactic fermentation.

Acidity is not corrected (with tartaric, citric acid or any other substance).

It is not topped with alcohol.

Ascorbic acid, sorbic acid or potassium sorbate, antibiotics are not used. No aromas are added.

No wood chips or pieces are used for flavoring.

Reverse osmosis, concentration, cryomaceration or any other technique that involves the artificial disintegration of the components of the must or wine are not used.

4. SULFUROUS ANHYDRIDE (SO2 – sulfite -) IS NOT USED: The wine must not have added SO2 (sulfite), the level of Total SO2 supported by official analysis must correspond to something generated by the wine itself in its process or to deviations caused by analytical methods, never to additions by the producer.

5. YOU SAID WHAT YOU DO and you do what you say: Honesty and transparency are main values ​​of natural wine producers. The entire production process is reported. Chemical analyzes of wines are available to clients and consumers. There is coherence between what is transmitted and the wine that is produced. As the creators of these natural wines often say: “the grape goes from the vine to the bottle.”

AUTHOR WINES:

The signature wines are those that have been made and personalized by the same winemaker, personally involved in the design and supervision of the entire production process, from the cultivation of the vine to the marketing of the wine. During all phases of production, the winemaker shapes the personality of the signature wine by applying its technical knowledge, style, experience and personality. </ P>

You have total creative freedom to play with colors, aromas and flavors as if it were a work of art, providing a complete expression of the characteristics of the selected grape variety, the climatic conditions of the area and the land where the house is located, resulting in a signature wine unique and personal.

A unique and inimitable work. In this case, their criteria and decisions are totally free, they are not related to any legislation and to any educational indication provided by the DO's and/or Regulatory Councils. Signature wine seeks quality over quantity, therefore, the best raw material is chosen, producing very small crops to guarantee exhaustive control and maximum quality.

ORGANIC WINES:

For a wine to be considered organic and an ecological wine, it must meet a series of very clear requirements that apply not only to production but also to the land where the wine is grown. vineyard, grapes and the preservation of the wine. Some of these requirements are:

• That the fertilizers used must be natural organic, of plant origin such as pomace or crushed branches (vine branches) and of animal origin, such as manure or compost.
• That the wines are made from organic raw materials.
• That there is control over the addition of sulfites, which are generally added in conventional winemaking to better preserve the wine (inhibits bacteria and molds and wine oxidation)
• Do not apply any type of mineral fertilizer.
• Stubble burning is prohibited to maintain microbial flora.

In addition to all this, the best ripening moment for the grapes is chosen, which is generally late. The objective is to achieve a higher concentration of antioxidant substances, one of the most beneficial components for wine. In addition, for example, the partial dealcoholization of wine or the elimination of sulfur dioxide by chemical processes is prohibited.There are many factors that make organic wine what it is.

BIODYNAMIC WINES:

Biodynamic wine is one of the so-called “organic wines” along with organic wines, but its production methodology is much more complex than that of the latter. When talking about biodynamic wine we must keep in mind that it is not only a type of wine but also a philosophy of life in which science, work and natural self-sustainability in a full connection between earth and space.

It is governed by the principle of Rudolf Steiner, father of biodynamics, where he expresses that everything that comes from the earth has to return to it later of the production process, so every compound used in its production is obtained from nature without intervention of industrial processes. This is how vegetable and mineral preparations are used as fertilization additives and the use of an astronomical calendar that governs the sowing, curing and harvesting times of the grapes.

Biodynamic compounds:

Prepared 500:

It consists of the preparation of a cow horn that is filled with manure and buried during the fall about 40cm from the surface. This decomposes during the winter and is dug up in early spring. Once extracted, it is diluted in water and sprayed over the entire surface of the vineyard. In this way the soil is nourished with sufficient microorganisms necessary for the development of the grapes.

Preparation 501:

This is cow horn quartz powder, buried in the same way as compound 500, only it is made in spring and dug up in autumn. It is used to avoid diseases caused by rain such as different types of fungi.

Feedbacks:

To prepare biodynamic fertilizers, some plants are used, ranging from herbs to flowers. Some of these are:

• Chamomile flowers.
• Dandelion flowers.
• Ponytail.
• Oak bark.

Biodynamic calendar

The calendar is particularly governed by the positions of the moon, which plays a fundamental role in each of the jobs.

Fruit Day: When the moon is in a constellation of fire (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius), the activity of plants is polarized, above all, in the production of fruits. The wine enhances its fruity nuances and those derived from careful production for the perfect adaptation of the variety to the terroir.

Root Day: When the moon is before an earth constellation (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn), the plant It privileges the roots and in the wines the tannic nuances and the unique character of the variety adapted to a specific soil (minerality) are underlined.

Flower Day: When the moon is before an air constellation (Gemini, Libra or Aquarius), they are the The flowers of the plants take over the priority activity and the more floral nuances of the wine are expressed with intensity.

Day Sheet: When the moon is before a water constellation (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces), the activity of the plant favors the leaves, enhancing the vegetal aromas, which may be of interest in whites with a herbaceous character but which do not favor the tasting of reds.

BIODYNAMIC WINES:

Biodynamic wine is one of the so-called “organic wines” along with organic wines, but its production methodology is much more complex than that of the latter. When talking about biodynamic wine we must keep in mind that it is not only a type of wine but also a philosophy of life in which science, work and natural self-sustainability in a full connection between earth and space.

It is governed by the principle of Rudolf Steiner, father of biodynamics, where he expresses that everything that comes from the earth has to return to it later of the production process, so every compound used in its production is obtained from nature without intervention of industrial processes. This is how vegetable and mineral preparations are used as fertilization additives and the use of an astronomical calendar that governs the sowing, curing and harvesting times of the grapes.

Biodynamic compounds:

Prepared 500:

It consists of the preparation of a cow horn that is filled with manure and buried during the fall about 40cm from the surface. This decomposes during the winter and is dug up in early spring. Once extracted, it is diluted in water and sprayed over the entire surface of the vineyard. In this way the soil is nourished with sufficient microorganisms necessary for the development of the grapes.

Preparation 501:

This is cow horn quartz powder, buried in the same way as compound 500, only it is made in spring and dug up in autumn. It is used to avoid diseases caused by rain such as different types of fungi.

Feedbacks:

To prepare biodynamic fertilizers, some plants are used, ranging from herbs to flowers. Some of these are:

• Chamomile flowers.
• Dandelion flowers.
• Ponytail.
• Oak bark.

Biodynamic calendar

The calendar is particularly governed by the positions of the moon, which plays a fundamental role in each of the jobs.

Fruit Day: When the moon is in a constellation of fire (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius), the activity of plants is polarized, above all, in the production of fruits. The wine enhances its fruity nuances and those derived from careful production for the perfect adaptation of the variety to the terroir.

Root Day: When the moon is before an earth constellation (Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn), the plant It privileges the roots and in the wines the tannic nuances and the unique character of the variety adapted to a specific soil (minerality) are underlined.

Flower Day: When the moon is before an air constellation (Gemini, Libra or Aquarius), they are the The flowers of the plants take over the priority activity and the more floral nuances of the wine are expressed with intensity.

Day Sheet: When the moon is before a water constellation (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces), the activity of the plant favors the leaves, enhancing the vegetal aromas, which may be of interest in whites with a herbaceous character but which do not favor the tasting of reds.

RED WINE

Red wine is a type of wine that comes mainly from red grape musts, with the appropriate processing to achieve the diffusion of the coloring matter contained in the grape skins.  Some of the main varieties of red grapes are:

• Tempranillo
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah

The process of making red wine involves the contact of the colored pulp grapes with the skin during fermentation, which gives it its characteristic color and tannins. Some of the notable regions in red wine production include the Italian region of Tuscany, the Argentine region of Mendoza, and the La Rioja region of Spain.

WHITE WINE

White wines are a broad and varied category that is made from grapes with non-colored pulp. In this section, we will explore the main white grape varieties used in the production of white wines. Main Varieties of White Grapes

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Riesling
• Albariño

The process of making white wine involves the fermentation of uncolored pulp grapes to preserve their characteristic clarity and brightness. Some of the notable regions in white wine production include the French Bourgogne region, the Spanish Rías Baixas region, and the Napa Valley in California.

ROSE WINE

Technically, rosé wine is produced differently than red wine but, like it, with red grapes, and unlike it, sometimes also with white grapes. Rosé wines extract their color in the same way that a red wine does (the grape juice is brought into contact with the skins of the red grape during fermentation). The difference between the two is that the contact is shorter in rosé wine.

VERMOUTH or VERMOUT

Vermouth or vermouth (from the French vermout or vermouth and these from the German wermut, 'wormwood' or 'absinthe') is a wine macerated in herbs served during appetizers, composed of white wine, wormwood and other bitter substances. These wines are typically European, with a characteristic aroma that gives them a particular elegance for a cocktail or aperitif. Generally you can find two types: red and white. Red vermouth (Italian) is sweet; while the white (French) is dry, with a higher alcohol level.

GENEROUS WINES:

Perhaps the most original and genuine Spanish wine. It is made from palomino or Pedro Ximénez grapes in the denominations of Jerez, Condado de Huelva and Montilla-Moriles according to traditional biological aging processes, following the system of crianzas y soleras, with a higher alcohol content. at 15º degrees and lower than 23º.

The fine and amontillado wines from Jerez and Condado are fortified wines, as well as the manzanillas from Sanlúcar de Barrameda. In short, immersing ourselves in the knowledge of different types of wine not only allows us to better appreciate their flavors and aromas, but also understand and value the art and dedication behind each glass . With this understanding, we can enjoy each wine at its best, recognizing the craftsmanship and connection to the land that each sip contains.

At Bodegas de Andalucía, we invite you to embark on this sensory journey and discover the secrets that each bottle keeps. With our online store, enjoy the best Andalusian wines is just a click away. Take advantage of the opportunity to buy now and bring the tradition, craftsmanship and excellence of the best wines of Andalusia to your home.

Become a wine expert and delight your senses with every sip. Visit our online store and discover why Bodegas de Andalucía is the perfect place for lovers of good wine. Your next wine adventure starts here!