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BLACK BEAR WINES & SPIRITS
THE WINE GUIDE

A short course in grape.

Fifteen varieties worth knowing — from Cabernet's structure to Chenin Blanc's lift — each profiled with the regions, rituals, and pairings that define them.

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EDUCATION · WINE GRAPES & STYLES

Wine Grapes & Styles Guide

Learn the differences between red, white, and rosé wines, discover the grapes behind your favorite bottles, and explore flavor profiles, food pairings, and winemaking techniques.

A SIMPLE INTRODUCTION

How Wine Is Made

STEP 01

Harvesting Grapes

Wine begins with carefully harvested wine grapes grown specifically for winemaking — ripeness, acidity, and sugar are all measured at picking.

STEP 02

Fermentation

Natural or cultured yeast converts grape sugars into alcohol over days to weeks, transforming juice into wine.

STEP 03

Style Creation

The amount of skin contact during fermentation determines whether the wine becomes red, white, or rosé.

Red Wine
Long skin contact
White Wine
No skin contact
Rosé Wine
Short skin contact
VARIETAL FAMILY · REDS

Red Wines

Red wines are made from dark-skinned grapes. During fermentation, the grape skins remain in contact with the juice, creating color, tannins, structure, and complexity.

Cabernet Sauvignon
BoldHigh tanninsBlackcurrant
Merlot
SmoothPlum flavorsEasy drinking
Pinot Noir
ElegantRed fruitLight body
Syrah (Shiraz)
SpicyDark fruitPepper notes
Malbec
RichBlackberrySmooth finish
Browse Red Wines
VARIETAL FAMILY · WHITES

White Wines

White wines are typically made from green or yellow grapes and fermented without the skins, producing a lighter color and fresher profile.

Chardonnay
Buttery or crispVersatile styles
Sauvignon Blanc
CitrusHerbalRefreshing
Riesling
FloralAromaticDry to sweet
Pinot Grigio
Light-bodiedEasy drinking
Gewürztraminer
PerfumedFloralExotic spice
Browse White Wines
VARIETAL FAMILY · ROSÉS

Rosé Wines

Rosé wines are made from red grapes, but the skins remain in contact with the juice only briefly, creating their beautiful pink color.

Grenache
StrawberrySoftJuicy
Syrah
StructureSpiceComplexity
Mourvèdre
EarthyRich character
Sangiovese
Cherry notesBright acidity
Browse Rosé Wines
REMEMBER THIS

🍇 The Simple Rule

Red Wine
=
Red Grapes
Long Skin Contact
White Wine
=
Light Grapes
No Skin Contact
Rosé Wine
=
Red Grapes
Short Skin Contact
TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

Flavor Profiles

🍷

Red Wines

  • Bold
  • Tannic
  • Blackberry
  • Cherry
  • Dark fruit
  • Oak
🥂

White Wines

  • Crisp
  • Citrus
  • Floral
  • Green apple
  • Minerality
🌸

Rosé Wines

  • Fresh
  • Fruity
  • Strawberry
  • Watermelon
  • Light-bodied
AT THE TABLE

Food Pairing Guide

🥩

Red Wines Pair With

SteakLambAged cheesesBBQ
🦞

White Wines Pair With

SeafoodChickenSaladsPasta
🥗

Rosé Wines Pair With

Grilled foodsTapasSummer dishesMediterranean cuisine
REFERENCE

Popular Wine Grapes

13 grapes shown

Reference table of popular wine grapes with style, body, flavor notes, and origin.
GrapeStyleBodyFlavor NotesOrigin
Cabernet SauvignonRedFullBlackcurrant, cedar, tobaccoBordeaux, France
MerlotRedMediumPlum, cherry, cocoaBordeaux, France
Pinot NoirRedLightRed cherry, raspberry, earthBurgundy, France
SyrahRedFullBlackberry, pepper, smokeRhône, France
MalbecRedFullBlackberry, violet, cocoaCahors, France / Argentina
ChardonnayWhiteMediumApple, lemon, butter (oaked)Burgundy, France
Sauvignon BlancWhiteLightGrapefruit, grass, gooseberryLoire, France / NZ
RieslingWhiteLightLime, peach, petrol, honeyMosel, Germany
Pinot GrigioWhiteLightPear, lemon, almondVeneto, Italy
GewürztraminerWhiteMediumLychee, rose, gingerAlsace, France
GrenacheRoséLightStrawberry, watermelon, white pepperProvence / Rhône
MourvèdreRoséMediumHerb, earth, red plumBandol, France
SangioveseRoséMediumSour cherry, tomato leafTuscany, Italy
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