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Understanding the basics of wine types, selections, storage and tasting will add new dimensions to your wine experience.

5 basic wine types:
Red Wine – It’s reddish color comes from leaving the grape skins in during the fermentation process. Generally heavier than white wines, reds also have more tannin, which is a natural substance found in grape skins that contributes to the flavor of the wine.

White Wine - Almost every white wine is made with white grapes, though it is possible to make white wine using red grapes. This is because when white wine is made, the juice is separated from the skins before the fermentation process. The juice does not absorb the color of the skins. For the same reason, white wine has much less tannin than red.

Rosé Wine - Rosé wines are made with red grapes, but are only allowed to stay in contact with the grape skins for a short time. This allows it to keep only some of the reddish color (and only some of the tannin). Rosé wines are sometimes called blush wines. Sometimes they are even called white despite the obvious pink color. White Zinfandel is a rose wine, not a white.

Fortified wine – Also called dessert wines or liqueur wines, this type of wine has been “fortified” with extra alcohol. The Alcohol content of these wines will be over 14%. Fortified wines are not generally served with a meal. These types of wines are often served after retiring from the dinner table. Some examples of fortified wines are Port, Sherry, and Madeira.

Sparkling wine and Champagne
Sparkling wine is easy to distinguish from table wine because it has bubbles. The process of making sparkling wine can take months, even years.Sparkling wine is popular worldwide and is produced in all of the major winemaking regions. The most famous sparkling wine is Champagne!

Health Benefits of Wine
The health benefits of wine have long been suspected and debated. Only recently are scientists beginning to truly understand the many health benefits that wine can provide and the reasons behind them. Wine is loaded with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. These natural compounds are also found in fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, and tea. One type of polyphenol that is found in abundance in wine is called resveratrol. Resveratrol is an especially potent antioxidant, and studies show that some of its benefits may include:

* heart disease prevention
* lower cholesterol
* cancer prevention
* better artery health
* better blood flow

While scientists do not advise you to start drinking or increase the amount you drink, it is comforting to hear about the benefits of wine when consumed in moderation.