Difference Between Wine and Liquor

Key Difference – Wine vs Liquor
 

Wine and liquor are two alcoholic beverages that are widely consumed all over the world. Although both these beverages contain alcohol, there is a difference in the alcohol content or proof in them. In fact, the key difference between wine and liquor is their alcohol content; wine has a lower alcohol content, typically less than 15% whereas liquor has a high alcohol content, typically over 30%.

What is Wine?

Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented grape juice. Wine can be also produced from other fruits and cereals, but the term wine specifically refers to the beverage made with grapes. When something other than grape is used to make wine, the name of that substance is used in the name of the wine; for example, rice wine, pomegranate wine, elderberry wine, etc. Wine has been produced by human beings over a thousand of years.

There are different types of wines; different varieties of grapes, strains of yeast used, region, alcohol content etc. result in different varieties of wine. The alcohol content of wine usually ranges from 11 – 15% ABV (Alcohol by volume). Some table wines have the alcohol content of about 6%. Wine is typically lighter than other types of alcohol such as beer, whiskey, rum, etc.

European wine usually tends to be classified by their regions.For example, Bordeaux, Chianti, and Rioja. Non-European wines tend to be classified according to the type of grape used; for example, Merlot and Point Noir. Wine is also classified into two major types known as red wine and white wine.

What is Liquor?

Liquor is an alcoholic beverage made from distillation. Liquor is also known as distilled beverage, hard alcohol, and spirits. Production of liquor involves distillation of a mixture that is produced through fermentation. The process of distillation removes diluting agents like water from the mixture, increasing the alcohol content of the mixture. Alcoholic beverages such as brandy, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, and scotch. All these beverages go through the process of distillation.

Liquor can be served at room temperature without any additional ingredients or it can be served shaken or stirred with ice.  It can be also drunk with something like juice, club soda, tonic water, cola or even water.

Since liquor contains a high alcohol content, overuse of liquor for an extended period may cause adverse effects to your health. Drinking liquor may also cause accidents and violent incidents since the high alcohol content can intoxicate a person very easily.

What is the difference between Wine and Liquor?

Definition:

Wine: Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented grape juice.

Liquor: Liquor is an alcoholic beverage made from distillation.

Distillation:

Wine: Wines do not go through the process of distillation.

Liquor: Liquor goes through the process of distillation after fermentation.

Alcohol content:

Wine: Wine has a low alcohol content, typically less than 15%.

Liquor: Liquor has a high alcohol content; the ABV is typically over 35%.

Types:

Wine: Bordeaux, Chianti, Merlot, Point Noir and Rioja are some types of wines.

Liquor: Rum, gin, whiskey, brandy, scotch, and vodka are some types of liquor.

 Image Courtesy:

“Tempranillowine” By Mick Stephenson mix pix 20:28, 2 April 2007 (UTC) – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

“Liquor bottles array” By Angie Garrett from Ridgely, USA  (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia