Mandriola demystifies: the main types of wine

There are more types of wine than white and red. Discover the main types of wine, which make any meal or leisure moment even more special.

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Mandriola

Wine grapes and time: these are the two major ingredients from which wine is obtained. But depending on the type of grapes used (there are about 10,000 different types of wine grape varieties) and the different fermentation techniques, the wine obtained is very different. The result? Very distinct profiles, flavors, aromas, and bodies. Learn about the main types of wine, what distinguishes them, and in which situations they should be appreciated.

1. Still wine

Still wine is all the wine that does not contain gas, unlike sparkling and semi-sparkling wines (such as some Vinho Verde) that do contain gas. They are usually red or white, but there is also the rosé version.

2. Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are distinguished by the presence of carbon dioxide from secondary fermentation, which gives them the typical “bubble” and foam. Normally sparkling wines have their final fermentation phase in the bottle (classic or champagne method). There is also the continuous method where the fermentation is done by passing the wine through different tanks (where the wine ferments and ages) and the charmat method where fermentation takes place in a closed vat. Portugal produces sparkling wine in white, red, and rosé varieties.

3. White Wine

Still white wines are made from the fermentation of skinless grapes. However, there are some whites that are made from the process of skin maceration, i.e., the grape skins are kept in contact with the must before fermentation for a greater aromatic concentration. Interestingly, the grape varieties used don’t need to be only white: there are white wines that use red grape varieties. These wines have a clear aspect and a fairly light-yellow color or a little darker, reminiscent of straw yellow. They are quite soft and aromatic (the predominant smells of flowers and fruits).

4. Rosé Wine

Rosé wines are made from red grape varieties and through a special fermentation process. After a short period, the grape skins are removed, because some pink coloration has already been transferred to the wine. Then follows a fermentation process like that of white wine (fermentation without skins). In Portugal it is allowed to make rosé from a mixture of white and red wines. The rosés can acquire different tonalities: from pale pink to light red. Its flavor results from the balance between the characteristics of white wine (the lightness and smoothness) and red wine (fruit aromas, especially red fruits, stand out).

5. Red Wine

Still red wines are produced from the fermentation of red grapes. The color range in red wine is from ruby red to darker red. Young red wines are smooth, aromatic, and generally have a delicate flavor. The more aged red wines have a very intense aroma, and, in the mouth, they have a smooth texture (they are said to be velvety) and a high alcohol content (they are full-bodied).

6. “Vinho Verde” and “Vinho maduro” (mature wine)

In Portugal it is still common the popular distinction between “vinho verde” and maduro (mature wine), which intends to contrast the “Vinho Verde” with the wine produced in the other Portuguese regions. Technically “vinho verde” is a region and not a type of wine.

Mandriola de Lisboa, the wine for any occasion

Now that you know the main types of wine, grab a corkscrew, and try a bottle of Mandriola de Lisboa white or red. Create your own Happy Hour, pour yourself a glass and savor the moment slowly. A toast!