A thick wine binder can be dizzying. However, almost all professional lists follow a standardized hierarchy. Once you know the map, navigating it becomes second nature.
The Standard Category Order
- Sparkling Wines & Champagne
- White Wines
- Rosé Wines
- Red Wines
- Sweet & Fortified Dessert Wines
Regional and Body Progression
Within the white and red sections, listings are typically grouped by country (starting with France and Italy, followed by Spain, then the New World). Within a country, wines are sorted from lightest body (fresh and acidic) to heaviest body (rich and oaky).