Before one can call himself a wine enthusiast or an expert in wine tasting, he must first know the basics wine categories and its distinct varietals.

There are two main types of wine; the red wine and the white wine. Red wines can be sweet or dry, depending on how they are made and the types of grapes used in making them. The red wine is made from black grapes which are fermented with its pips and skins. Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot are only some of the types of grapes used in making red wines. About forty major types of grapes are used in making red wine. Many red wines are made with a combination of different varietals of grapes. White wines, on the other hand, can be made by using either black grapes or white grapes. Among the fifty major varieties of white grapes grown all over the world, the three most important are the Chardonnay, Riesling and the Sauvignon Blanc. Usually, white wines are considered more refreshing than red wines.

Aside from the red and white wines, more and more people are getting interested in trying pink wines. Pink wines include the Rose wines and the Blush types.