• Wine has been made and enjoyed for thousands of years, and now wineries can be found in all 50 U.S. states and in countries around the world. Tasting and drinking wine can be a fun hobby, but to truly appreciate what you are drinking, it helps to have some knowledge of different types of wine. Learning about some of the characteristics of common wine grape varietals is key to understanding wine.
  
  

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Cabernet sauvignon is a dark red wine grape that produces dark, red wines. Cabernet sauvignon wines have bramble fruit similar to licorice. They also frequently have a heavy oak flavor because of their prolonged aging time in oak barrels, which, according to Wines.com, can last up to 30 months. Cabernet sauvignons often have strong tannins, or almost tactile sensation in the mouth, and have a heavy body, or thickness.
  
  

Merlot

• Merlot is a medium-dark, almost blue wine grape varietal that produces medium-bodied red wines. Merlot often has an aroma of red berries, chocolate or straw. According to Wines.com, merlots are often blended with Cabernet sauvignons to soften their taste, as they have fewer tannins than Cabernets. According to Wine Education, merlots are produced in the Bordeaux region of France, as well as in the U.S. and South America.
  
  

Pinot Noir

• Pinor noir is a wine grape varietal that is a light red color that sometimes shows a slight blue tint. Pinot noir wines have an aroma of dark cherries and a taste with undertones of cherry, spice and raspberry. According to Wines.com, they are smoother and richer than Cabernet sauvignon and have fewer tannins. In Europe, pinot noir grapes are grown in Germany, Switzerland and in the Burgundy region of France.
  
  

Zinfandel

• Zinfandel, sometimes called white Zinfandel, is the most widely grown grape in California and is the only vinifera variety grape that is exclusive to the U.S., according to Wine Education. Zinfandel wines have a body ranging from light to very heavy and have raspberry flavors with a spicy aroma. Zinfandel is frequently made into a pinkish, rose-colored wine that is slightly sweet.
  
  

Sauvignon Blanc

• Sauvignon blanc is a light yellow grape that is used for making white wines with a light to medium body. It has a grassy aroma and flavors that include a hint of gooseberry and black currant. According to Wines.com, California produces sauvignon blanc wines that are often labeled fume blanc, and New Zealand produces sauvignon blancs with fruity flavors.