AWN Wine Styles + Quiz

Light-Bodied Red - These are typically a paler red, with a more fruit-driven profile. Usually consumed relatively young, and can be intense but are rarely heavy.
Varietals include: Pinot Noir, Gamay and Merlot

Medium-Bodied Red - These are your typical food-wines, with great balance, a nice fruitiness and a medium structure, which allows them to pair easily with a wide range of cuisines.
Varietals include: Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, Zinfandel and Barbera

Full-Bodied Red - These reds are often produced in warmer climates, resulting in a greater intensity and deep colour. These wines often require and benefit from some ageing as well as breathing when opened. They make perfect accompaniments for rich dishes such as red-meat.
Varietals include: Syrah/Shiraz, Malbec, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon

Rose – These wines come in all shades of pink, and tend to be very aromatic. Typically, fruity with a good balance of acidity, this allows them to pair well with grilled and spicy dishes.
Varietals include: Grenache, Cinsault, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel

Light-Bodied White – Fresh and crisp, making them extremely easy to drink, this also allows them to complement many cuisines without being too overpowering.
Varietals include: Gruner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontes, Soave, Pinot Gris and Albarino

Medium-Bodied White – These wines typically have excellent aromatic expression, showing a good degree of fruitiness. They typically interact exceptionally with food.
Varietals include: Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Viura, Gewurztraminer and some Chardonnay

Full-Bodied White – These whites often have some oak influence, giving the wine greater complexity, and an intense aroma. These are white wines suitable for aging.
Varietals include: Viognier, Riesling and Oaked Chardonnay

Sweet – These wines come in various levels of sweetness, balancing alcohol and acidity nicely to provide for a nice finish.
Varietals include: Moscato, Late Harvest, Port and Sauterne