American Whites

• White wine is widely favored and is available in dry to sweet flavors. Dry white wines include Chablis, a light-bodied, blended type; chardonnay, which has a bit more body along with citrus and mineral undertones and Sauvignon Blanc, a light- to medium-bodied wine with a grassy bouquet and a complex finish. In the semi-dry category, Chenin Blanc has a light, fruity taste and a crisp, clean finish; Rhine wines blend fruity flavors into their lightly fragranced body. If you prefer a light but sweeter wine with a blend of fruit flavors, try a glass of sauterne. Johannesburg Riesling can be sweet to semi-dry and has a fruity flavor and a peach or apricot bouquet.
  
  

American Reds

• Red wines tend to be more full-bodied than whites and their tannin content varies with the type of grape used. All the wines in this category are dry with the exception of Chianti, which is semi-dry and fruity with a slightly acidic finish. The lightest-bodied and fruitiest-tasting of the group is Beaujolais, followed by pinot noir, which has a bold, spicy nose and a body that ranges from light to medium. Medium to full-bodied red wines include cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with the latter having softer tannins. Burgundy is made from a blend of grapes and has a soft, smooth flavor. Zinfandel, made from a grape predominantly grown in California, ranges from light to heavy in body and varies considerably in sweetness.
  
  

Italian Wines

• Before American wineries started producing wines on a large scale, many favorite wines came from Italy. They made the first Chianti and Lambrusco is still favored by drinkers who prefer a light, fruity red wine with a bit of effervescence. Valpolicella and Bardolino are well-liked dry, red Italian wines that are lighter and fruitier than Chianti and Lambrusco. Preferred, dry, white Italian wines include pinot grigio and frascati. If you like semi-dry Italian wine, orvieto and soave are good choices.
  
  

French Wines

• Long-considered the premier wine producing country, France produces luxurious, dry richly flavored white and red wines. They are known for light to medium-bodied red and white Bordeaux and burgundy wines, as well as dry white wines from the Loire region and hearty, full-bodied varieties from grapes grown in the Rhone region of France.
  
  

Other Regions

• Many other countries produce excellent wines, including Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Portugal.