What’s the Difference Between Table Wine and Regular Wine?

McKenzie Hagan | September 29, 2020

No longer a common wine phrase, table wine is an old-fashioned term. So, don’t fear if you don’t know what it is.

Maybe you’re wondering what kind of tables are used to make this table wine? Perhaps there’s also a standing wine or beanbag chair wine available on the market? But don’t worry. As always, we’re here to share our wine knowledge, and help you better understand the wonderful world of wine.

In this short guide, we’ll discuss what table wine means, how the definition changes depending on where you are in the world, and the best way to choose table wine.

What Is Table Wine?

A widely accepted definition of table wine is that it’s a fairly cheap wine enjoyed with meals. However, that’s a pretty vague explanation. There are hundreds of factors that can dictate a wine’s price — from where the grapes were grown to the winemaking process to who’s selling you the wine in the first place. Price doesn’t always constitute quality or the lack thereof.

“Fairly cheap” is also subjective. After all, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. While spending $30 on a bottle of wine may seem exorbitant to you, it’s a drop in the bucket for someone with plenty to spend.

Furthermore, all wine can be enjoyed with a meal — it all depends on pairing a particular bottle with compatible dishes. For example, a large range of Merlots are a brilliant addition to heavy red-meat meals, while a deliciously sweet dessert wine tastes even better when drunk in tandem with a rich dessert.

Our point is: The term “table wine” harkens back to a time when people followed strict rules in regard to wine. But as wine has become more accessible to everyday people, wine lovers have begun to reject these rules, choosing to drink wine in whichever way they choose.

Even though you’re unlikely to hear the term from your local sommelier, “table wine” does sometimes pop up. If you’re heading to a wine tasting event, you may hear wine experts referring to a certain bottle as a perfect table wine. However, the definition of table wine changes depending on where you are in the world.

Table Wine in the United States

The American definition of table wine is quite easy to understand compared to countries across the Atlantic.

Traditionally, in the United States, a table wine is lower in alcohol, never exceeding 14% ABV (alcohol by volume). This allows your dinner party guests to enjoy more than one glass with their meal without getting too tipsy. 

In the U.S., table wine is a term that points to a wine of moderate quality. While we’ve already discussed the subjective nature of dictating the quality of wine, we think this refers to choosing a wine that will still be affordable if you order several bottles for everyone to enjoy. 

We stand by the opinion that all wine is suitable to eat with your meal if it’s what you like. Still, there are some exceptionally complex bottles that probably should be enjoyed on their own to experience the true nuances of the wine.

By American standards, table wines are also known as easy drinking wines. Easy drinking wines have a reputation for being very light, fresh, and perhaps lacking in complexity. Generally speaking, these table wines are crowd pleasers — they’re wines that will be popular with the majority of your party. 

Wines like Pinot Grigio are perfect examples of table wines, as they are usually light in flavor and pair easily with a wide range of cuisines, plus many people enjoy this Italian classic. However, this is where the term “table wine” gets tricky, as there are also plenty of people who cannot bear Pinot Grigio. 

Finally, old-fashioned wine rules say that table wines don’t include sparkling or sweet wines. And to this we say phooey. Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco over a fabulous brunch with friends will know sparkling wines make for brilliant table wines.

Table Wine in Europe

In Europe, table wine is a little more complex. While in the U.S. deciding if a wine is a good table wine is more subjective, Europeans follow more specific labeling rules.

Regarding wine as table wine in Europe has a lot to do with wine appellation. Simply put, wine appellation refers to a protected wine region in which a bottle of wine is produced. It also refers to specific techniques used when making the wine.

If a wine has been produced in line with these strict rules, the winemakers may put a specific stamp on their labels. For European wines, this is the letters PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) or PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). These stamps are for the consumers, so they can make a more informed decision about where their wine is coming from.

The wine world is very particular about wine regions, especially in Europe. The European Union Wine regulations insist that wines from specific “quality regions” also include the QWPSR (Quality Wines produced in specific regions) mark of approval. While these stamps are there for the benefit of the consumer, you shouldn’t worry about them too much, unless you’re set on becoming a wine collector.

On the other side of the coin is table wine. Table wine (or vin de table as it’s known in France) is regarded as any wine that’s not produced in these wine appellations — therefore, it’s a wine without this elusive stamp of approval.

The problem with this logic is that just because a wine is not from a PDO or PGI doesn’t mean it’s of lower quality. If you’re looking to pop open a few bottles of posh PDO wine at dinner to share with friends, go for it. Or, if you fancy sitting quietly, and taking your time enjoying your favorite “lower quality wine,” you should. Don’t let these outdated rules tell you how to enjoy your wine.

A Wine by Any Other Name Would Taste as Sweet

As you can see, we don’t really buy into the idea of table wine. In our humble opinion, if a wine is on a table, it’s a table wine. 

We agree that some extra special bottles are probably best consumed on their own to appreciate complex, nuanced flavors. But wine is made to be enjoyed. Whether you’re looking for a red table wine or a white table wine, it doesn’t matter.

Even if you’re pouring large glasses of high-quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Riesling into your guests’ glasses, it’s still a suitable table wine.

However, if you like to live life by the book and are looking for a good wine to serve at your next dinner party, we do have a few tips. Look for bottles with less than 14 % alcohol and light flavors. If you want to be traditional, stay away from any bottles with the letters PDO, PGI, or QWPSR on the label.

But instead of trying to discover the perfect table wine, why not order a few different bottles for your table, ensuring everyone has a wine they’ll enjoy drinking with their meal? Better yet, consider our mixed bottle multi-pack. This way everyone gets their own mini bottle of a wine they’ll love.

Walking into a new Italian deli and seeing brands that I remember at stores in “The Gulch” 60 years ago.

1 turtle. Two turtle. Three Turtle 4 .. on a log

Watching a group of dogs greet each other at a Park .. ignoring their human parentals

Seeing the Goddess of Wine darting from one isle to another grabbing additions to the next mystery case.

Doing one the neighbourhood library circuits and finding a book one hasn’t read in over 30 or 40 years.  Dropping

off 10 books and picking up 2.

Cold and dreary outside, touch the heat inside, and curl up under the quilt on the couch with a fast paced novel

and soothing jazz softly on the stereo.

Spring is just about here.  Saw a tiny Gecko running for cover amongst the daffodils.

8 invited. 7 Cultures confirmed for Dinner on Saturday.   

What makes YOU smile?

Eger’s winemakers have rebranded Bulls Blood as Bikavér and are also making salty mineral volcanic whites of distinction. In Tokaj distinguished ancient wineries and young upstarts are at last gaining recognition for their crisp dry whites made from Furmint and Hárslevelü. Màtra offers insane value as small producers emerge from this ancient region known for bulk production.

Once a huge shallow sea, Hungary sits in what is called The Pannonian (aka Carpathian) Basin, a plain that remained after its namesake sea dried up, surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Hungary is one of the world’s oldest wine making regions and yet I knew little about it before my trip (when I took my WSET Diploma it was hardly mentioned). Communism demolished many of the ancient wine making traditions, championing collective farming and volume over quality, thus rendering ancient precipitous low yielding vines obsolete. Many, such as the world famous Royal Vineyards of Tokaji, were overrun with vegetation and forgotten until investment came in the form of Hugh Johnson and wine-making impresario Peter Vingding-Diers, whose golden touch and impressive winemaking had a hand in Pingus, Rustenberg, Landiras and Montecarrubo.

Today, some thirty years after the fall of Communism, ancient Tokaj crus have been resurrected, Bulls Blood has become Bikavér, and bulk-buy Màtra is carving a cost conscious niche for terroir driven youthful offerings.

Hungary can lay genuine claim to having the earliest demarcated wine region – Tokaj – by Royal Charter, in 1737. Vine Law was drawn up in 1641 for Tokaj-Hegyalia which outlined rules for site selection and even irrigation illustrating a deep-seated winemaking culture dating back to Roman times. Written evidence of vineyard councils reaches back to the 13th century.

Eger was the location of a legendary siege by the Ottomans who are said to have fled when faced with local warriors supping bull’s blood (leading to the name of the wine, which has now been supplanted by Bikavér). Unlikely though this story is, evidence of Asian, Caucasian and Roman winemaking traditions exist thanks to a violent past. Benedictine monks played a part in shaping the local winemaking traditions too.

Bikavér, grown on sedimentary soils, often by young growers, is emerging as a fascinating if varied category offering less oak than was previously traditional, a zippy acidity, spice, red fruit and freshness. There is little consistency as the strict regulations also allow for a serious amount of independent expression – growers must use 45% Kékfrankos and 5% Kadarka but after that international varieties can feature so Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon may play a part.

There are six main wine producing regions according to Wines of Hungary, and 22 wine districts (see map above).

A prodigious wealth of indigenous varieties exits. Furmint is the easiest to spell and the best known, but many more obscure varieties face extinction. The language is hard to master but these varieties are worth tasting and comprehending. For me the volcanic minerality and saline floral notes of the full and sometimes linear white blends struck a real chord. The reds are reminiscent of the Northern Rhone or Barolo – being, spicy, red fruited and sometimes quite high in alcohol. This article is intended to take you on the tour I took. You can meet the growers via the clips and read my thoughts and theirs on the wines. I have tried to include pricing where possible. The main indigenous grapes varieties are listed last with explanations as are the notes.

Red wines

There are three main regions that focus on red (but these also offer some exquisite mineral whites): Eger is the largest at 5500 hectares, Villàny 2450 and Szekszàrd 2300. The terroir is extremely varied – often volcanic; sedimentary limestone is rare but sought after; and tuffa provides the perfect bedrock for carving deep consistently cool cellars into the hillsides.

Aside from Botrytis cinerea, the mould that produces noble rot, the cool, hand carved rhyolitic tuffa cellars of Hungary feature a peculiarly comforting black mould that proliferates on every wall and is considered an important part of the region’s terroir. This mould is called Cladosporium cellare and its moisture retaining qualities are much lauded by the local wino cognoscenti…

As previously mentioned red wines from Hungary’s Eger drew parallels with the Northern Rhone and Barolo from my distinguished fellow wine travellers and a few growers dared mention Burgundy (Eger sits on the same northern latitude). The climate is cool.

Bikavér

AKA Bulls blood rebranded, a dark intense red blend and protected designation of origin in Eger and Szekszárd regions. There are more differences than similarities between the two types of Bikavér, Egri and Szekszàrdi, this stems from contrasting regulations and terroirs. Both must consist of at least four grape varieties, there is always a minimum oak ageing requirement and Kékfrankos must be the dominant grape (30-65% Eger, 45% + Szekszárd).

Egri Bikavér

Three categories: Classicus, Superior and Grand Superior

Oak ageing:

• Classicus – 6 months (13 varieties permitted, max yield 100hl/ha)
• Superior –  12 months  (12 varieties permitted, 60hl/ha)
• Grand Superior – 12 months  (12 varieties permitted, 35hl/ha)

Two categories: Regular and Premium. Must be between 5 and 10% Kardarka

Oak ageing:

• Regular – 12 months (16 varieties permitted, 100hl/ha)
• Premium – 12 months (8 varieties permitted, 55hl/ha)

White Wines

Egri Csillag aka Star of Eger

This is a relatively new name (2010) for the counterpart white wines to Bikavér (aka Bullsblood) defined by Eger Vintners Association to mean a white blend that must include at least fifty percent of four indigenous white varieties such as Olaszrizling, Hárslevelü, Királyeánka, Leanyka, Zenit, Zengö, each of these must be no less than five percent of the blend. In addition up to thirty percent Muscat related varieties such as Ottonel, Tramini, Cserszegi Füszeres, and Zefir. Then international varieties such as Viognier, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc can make up the rest of the mix.

Interestingly this region – which is today known for its reds, used to be planted with predominantly white grapes until the 16th Century so Egri Csillag might be considered a return to form rather than a marketeer’s dream. Like Bikavér, differing levels of quality are offered:

• Classicus – tends to be fresher
• Superior – made from lower yielding vines and has seen oak
• Grand Superior – made from lower yielding vines and has seen oak

Tokaj Region (Tokaji wines)

What many do not know is that 70% of Tokaj’s wine production is dry, and this is not a new phenomenon. Only white wine is produced. Located at the foot of the Zemplèn/Tatra mountains near the border with Slovakia, Tokaj sits atop of a multitude of 400 extinct volcanoes, soils are mineral rich and predominantly volcanic, therefore extremely varied. The climate is classically Continental with hot summers and long lengthy autumns. Noble-rot-inducing mists create the perfect conditions for botrytised grapes and Tokaji wines – ‘aszù’ every three years so dry wines have always been produced. Aszú berries must be macerated prior to being pressed in must or Tokaji dry base wine. Furmint and Hárslevelü account for 85% of the grapes grown over some 5800 hectares. Small amounts of Sàrgamuskotàly (Yellow Muscat) and Oremus and minute amounts of the indigenous Kövérszõlõ are also grown.

Tokaj lays claim to be the world’s first ever demarcated wine region delimited by royal decree in 1737 in which 27 villages were named suitable for making Tokaj and allowed to use the name Tokaji. This classification predates Portugal’s Douro by 20 years, Rhine’s Beerenauslese by 100 years and France’s Sauterne by more than 200. A recent move to distinguish Tokaji dry whites by offering them in a distinctive bottle has proved successful. Riedell have even designed a specific glass.

In the 18th century Tokaj was the wine of the moment and references to its wonders and royal patronage exist throughout Europe. Phylloxera then Communism struck fatal blows. Expropriated private vineyards were redistributed, the grapes collectively farmed regardless of quality and difficult-to-farm plots, often those of the highest quality, were in turn expropriated by nature.

1989 saw the fall of communism and, desperate for hard currency, the Mayor of Mad in Tokaj and the local co-op sought urgent outside investment. Eventually the The Royal Tokaji Wine Company was established thanks in part to the discovery of an ancient map detailing three levels of classification, First, Second and Third growth vineyards as identified by Prince Rakoczi in 1700.

Tokaj offers many varietal wines and Furmint based blends, Furmint is the most important though six varieties are permitted. Wines are usually aged in stainless steel or wood, today many producers use the special trademarked Tokaj bottle. Sparkling Tokaj PDO must be bottle fermented.

Tokaj Sweet Wine Styles

Late Harvest Wines – usually fermented and aged in tank.

Szamorondni (‘As it comes’) – whole bunch, partially botytised, no Aszú selection. Min 6 months oak ageing.

Aszú (5 or 6 Puttonyos) – selected hand harvested botrytis affected shrivelled berries soaked in must or young wine and aged in oak for a minimum of 18 months.

Eszencia – Trickle of thick syrup made from Aszú berries, min 450 g/l sugar. Barely ferments.

GRAPES

Furmint

High acid offers a steely backbone, high sugar, potentially boozy fine wine grape, susceptible to noble rot, with brilliant ageing potential and therefore the principle ingredient in the fine sweet wines of Tokaj. Parents are Gouais Blanc and Alba Imputotato. Buds early, ripens slowly. Makes incredible dry and sparkling wines too. The flavour profile offers apple, pear and quince but with botrytis dried apricot, peach and pear emerge. Reflects terroir and can offer mineral characteristics, specifically taste the wines of Somló, Badascony. 

Olaszrizling

Most widely planted white variety which has absolutely no relation to Riesling. Known as Welschriesling in Austria, Graševina, Laški Rizling or Rizling Italyanski in Slovenia and Rizling Vlašsky in the Czech Republic. Often made into cheap white, its reputation is anything but refined and yet it can be wonderful in sweet botrytised white blends and is capable of beautiful dry, crisp yet rich, terroir reflective whites if yields are regulated. It buds and ripens late and retains acidity in low yields. Lake Balaton is a particular stronghold.

Hárslevelü

Perfumed, spicy and aromatic and according to Caroline Gilby MW added to Furmint to ‘build the mid-palate, making the wine longer and deeper’.  The grape is Furmint crossed with Tzimlyansky Belyi. Vivien Ujvári of Barta is also a fan of its salty, floral spiced qualities and feels it should be a single vineyard wine.

Kékfrankos

Aka Blaufränkisch, Lemberger, Franconia. 8000 acres in Hungary found principally on the Great Plain in Eger and near the Austrian border in Sopron. High acid, deep colour and tannin, red fruit flavours, spice and weight make it extremely well thought of. It needs warmth to thrive as it buds early and ripens late.

Kadarka

Late ripening red grape which can produce quality wines if its natural tendency to over crop is curbed and its allowed to fully ripen.

Sárgamuskotály

AKA Yellow Muscat or Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, Sarga Muskotaly. It is one of three varieties used to make Tokaji wines. Usually offers gorgeous orange blossom aromas and fragrant spice.

Lisse Garnett visited Tokaj, Eger and Màtra for Wine Anorak. Article written with the generous help of Elizabeth Gabay MW, Caroline Gilby MW, Balassa István, Csilla Sebestyén, Dr Peter Molnár and Timor Gàl whose fascinating Masterclasses on Bikavér and Furmint furnished my brain with the necessary facts and inspiration.