Wine and Personality Pairing

With so many choices available, picking a glass of wine can be really confusing, especially if you are new to the wine drinking world. There are many different kinds of wine, and to the uninitiated palate, seemingly the same or similar wines might be called something different depending on where they are made, and what grapes they were made from.

But fear not, the following will be a perfect 'basic introduction' to wine for newbies. You'll get skinny on what's what, along with some fun facts about each wine, including what wines suit what personalities.

First, let's get to know broadly, what different wines are available around the world.

The 5 Core Wine Types

There are five types of wine:

1. White
2. Red
3. Rosé
4. Dessert Wine
5. Sparkling Wine

1. White

Made of grapes (white, red, or even black) - the pigment is removed and only the grapes' juice is used. Whites include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato.

2. Red

Similar to white wine but the colour comes from grape skins. Common reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

3. Rosé

There are two ways that Rosé is being made - one is from red or black grapes and the other way is by blending white wine and red wine together.

4. Dessert Wine

Also known as 'sweet wine' made from sweet grapes. The process of making dessert wine stops right before all the sugar becomes alcohol. These are also known as 'aperitifs'. They include Port, Tawny, or Sherry.

5. Sparkling Wine

This is white wine that has CO2 added to it to make it sparkly and bubbly. It's known by different names depending on its origin. For example, if it's from Spain, it's called 'Cava', if it's from Italy, it will be 'Asti' or 'Prosécco', and of course 'Champagne' from Champagne in France.

Wine vs. Personality Recommendations

Don't know what to order? Here are some wine selections that 'they say' might go with your personality.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The rich, tannin (bitter) flavour components found in Cabernet Sauvignons are from plum, black cherry, blackberry and blueberry. You will also detect some warm spice nodes including vanilla, black pepper, tobacco and sometimes leather aromas and / or flavours.

Perfect for you: Being such a detailed wine, if you're someone who likes to pay attention to detail, then you will love to explore this world.

Shiraz

This might also be written and / or pronounced 'Syrah'. It's a full-bodied wine with medium tannin and is known as the darkest red wine in the world. It may contain tastes of blackberries, blueberries and boysenberries which go great with bold tasting food.

Perfect for you: Although having berry-filled aromas, this wine is full-bodied and strong. If you are bold, like to be the life of the party and a bit of a free spirit, this could be perfect for you.

Merlot

Merlots are smooth and easy to drink, with a soft finish. Acidity and tannin levels are both medium. Merlot tastes will have essences of black cherry, raspberry, and plum.

Perfect for you : If you are somebody who is ready for anything, always on the go and easy to get along with, yet still passionate and sensual, you will share similar traits to 'Merlot' - it might just be for you.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noirs have scents of earth, spice, cherries, strawberries, herbs and raspberries. It is dry wine (not too sweet) that is light to medium-bodied. It goes with a wide range of food, particularly with different meats like pork, beef, lamb, and fish and creamy sauces.

Perfect for you: Seems sweet but is it really? If you are a unique person who likes to have it your way, try a good Pinot Noir. Despite having all the ingredients that should make it a very sweet wine, when it comes down to it, the sweetness isn't excessive.

Chardonnay

These are dry, medium-to-full-bodied wines with moderate acidity. This is perhaps why Chardonnays are the most popular white wine. They have crisp nodes of pear, guava, lemon-peel and apple. If it's processed in oak, you might even get hints of butter and vanilla as well.

Perfect for you : With all these aromas and tastes, this is a wine for someone with a big personality and / or for someone who likes to work hard and play hard.

Riesling

Rieslings are refreshing and display tastes of the nectars of apples, apricots, peaches and pears. They are usually crisp, due to their high levels of acidity. Rieslings are known for their strong floral aromas and are perfect with spicy food and Asian food.

Perfect for you : If you are likeable and loved by most, and tend to compliment others and make others feel loved, Rieslings are for you.

Rosé
Some people call Rosés 'food-friendly' wines because they go well with most food. It is less intense than many other wines with less tannin, however it does offer more depth.

Perfect for you : If you're friendly and bubbly, it makes perfect sense that you would choose a Rosé as it too is a food-friendly wine. Both you and it are charming - everyone wants to be your friend.