Imagine sitting at a restaurant with friends. You open the wine list and are faced with a library of red, white, and rosé wines. Which one should you pick? And what’s the difference between red wine vs. white wine or white wine vs. rosé wine? The notes sound delicious, but which wine pairs best with the array of dishes you want to taste?
These are all common questions that many of us face. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a waiter, or someone who wants to learn more about the varieties of wine, many of us would enjoy making an informed choice that aligns with our preferences and what’s being served. Cornerstone Cellars can help, and we love nothing more than to share our knowledge and help you find your favorite. Learn more about what makes each wine distinct and when to reach for a specific variety.
Understanding the Types of Red, White, and Rosé Wines
What Is Red Wine?
Red wine is a classic favorite amongst wine lovers. Iconic for its deep purple and burgundy hues, red wine’s characteristics, color, flavor, and texture from grape skins. Winemakers create these beloved wines by pressing the grapes and allowing the juice to ferment with the grape skins and seeds. Grapes with thinner skin produce lighter red wines, resulting in Pinot Noir and Garnache. On the other hand, if a grape’s skin is thicker, those grapes produce darker wines, known for being robust and fuller bodied. Those wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, and more.
What Is White Wine?
White wine offers a lighter flavor profile, typically sweeter and more refreshing than full-bodied red wines. Generally made with light-skinned grapes (although white wine can be achieved with red or black grapes), white wine gives off a pale or honey color. Instead of keeping the seeds and skins left on during the red wine fermentation process, white wine winemakers discard those items, and the end product is a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, aromatic Albariño, Chardonnay, and countless other varieties.
What Is Rosé Wine?
A delicious mix between red and white wine, rosé wine can be fruity or dry and has a distinct dragon fruit or salmon pink hue. Made with red or purple grapes, after crushing the grape skins, they are left macerating with the juices for a few hours or even up to a couple of days. The juices and flavors embody the color of the skin, giving it its color and profile. Typically, the shorter the maceration period, the lighter the color. Well-known rosé wines include a bold Syrah, savory Tempranillo, spice-forward Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.
Aging a Wine to Perfection
Aging is a huge part of winemaking for red, white, and rosé wine, which is why winemakers are extremely meticulous about how they want to age their products. Two of the preferred options are oak barrels or stainless steel tanks.
Oak Barrels
Oak has several advantages for winemakers. It can add layers of complexity to a wine, adding notes of vanilla, spice, or nuttiness. Since it allows for oxygenation, oak barrels can also smooth and round out the flavors of the wine. Additionally, these barrels can add tannins over time to the wine, so it’s important to know when to stop barreling the wine and start bottling. Oak barrels are often used for red wines and even white wines that need a bit more flavor enhancement.
Stainless Steel Tanks
Unlike oak barrels, stainless steel preserves the wine’s original characteristics and wine sweetness levels. Not adding any additional flavors, this form of aging is ideal for winemakers who want to maintain the freshness of a wine, such as a white wine or rosé. Since steel tanks are airtight, winemakers can control the speed of oxidation, having more control on how the wine will taste over the years.
Choosing the Right Wine for the Occasion
At the end of the day, it’s important to choose the wine that satisfies your cravings. But if you’re interested in pairing wine with food, an event, or even the weather, here are some occasions for wine!
Red Wine Occasions
- Romantic dinner
- Fall or winter evening
- Formal event
- Meals involving hearty food such as beef, venison, duck, pasta, or stews
White Wine Occasions
- Spring or summer gatherings
- Meals involving lighter fare such as seafood, chicken, or pasta
- Brunches
- An aperitif before a meal
Rosé Wine Occasions
- Summer picnics
- Poolside gatherings
- Meals involving tapas, charcuterie, desserts, or fruits and vegetables
- Bridal showers
Get to Know Our Wines
From white to red, we have a variety of unique boutique wines that are approachable and delightful. We invite you to learn more about the Cornerstone Cellars wine club and choose the best option for you. Our Classic, Collectors, and Case options are designed to go deeper into our portfolio and experience the complexity of each variety of wine.
As you plan your 2025 calendar, come visit us in Yountville for a tasting. Whether you pick our Taste of Cornerstone or our Pairings Flight, get ready for a day full of delightful sipping. Our knowledgeable staff will even be happy to discuss the difference between white, red, and rosé wine with you. We look forward to seeing you soon!