Red Wine
I love red wine. I prefer a glass of medium-bodied red over a bottle of white wine any day. Why you ask? Well, most people know that red wine is simply wine produced from red (or black) grapes. What you might not know is that almost all grapes have colorless juice. Red wine gets its color by letting the skins soak in the juice until the color bleeds out. Not only does soaking the skins give red wine its color, it also produces a substance known as tannin.
Tannin is what gives red wines a complexity that is beyond that of most white wines. Tannin has a mouth drying quality that makes the wine feel firm in your mouth. This firmness can be quite intense when a red wine is young. Over time, the qualities of the tannin will mellow and blend harmoniously with the other characteristics of the wine. Which is why red wines usually age better than whites.
Major Red Wine Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon – Widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties and best selling red wine in the United States, Cabs are generally big, full-bodied and tannic. This variety of red grows well in Australia, California and Chile.
Merlot – The softness of Merlot has made it an “introducing” wine for new red-wine drinkers. These medium-bodied wines are less tannic than Cabs and pairs well with any food. Typical scents include black cherry, plums, and herbal flavors. The texture is round but a middle palate gap is common.
Pinot Noir – One of the noblest red wine grapes, Pinot noir is difficult to grow and rarely blended. Pinots are typically medium to light bodied with a soft tannic structure. Delicate and fresh, Pinots are best when paired with grilled salmon, chicken, and lamb.
Syrah (or Shiraz) – Syrahs excels in California, Australia, and France’s Rhone Valley. The Syrah variety gives hearty, spicy reds to produce some of the world’s finest, deepest, and darkest reds with intense flavors and excellent longevity. A great forward fruit flavors with a hint of pepper and spice.
Zinfandel – Zins only grow in California but they are the world’s most versatile wine grape, making everything from blush wine to rich, heavy reds. They run the gamut in flavor characteristics and range from big and hearty to light and delicate.
Other Types of Reds
There are a lot of different types of red wine outside of Cabernet and Merlot. Not the most popular of all the red wines available, but equally delicious. So when you tire of Cab and get bored with Merlot, give one of these reds a try.
Malbec – Malbec has its origins in the French Bordeaux region and is widely grown in Argentina where it is the most popular red grape variety. It is also available in Chile, Australia, and in the cooler regions of California. Malbec’s characteristics vary greatly depending on where its grown and how its transformed. It generally produced an easy-drinking style, well colored wine that tastes of plum, berries, and spice.
Sangiovese – I love saying San-gee-oh-ve-zee! This red wine is more on the earthy side in flavor characteristics with medium tannins and high acidity. The primary style is medium-bodied with fresh berry and plum flavors.
Chianti – Chianti is often called a “fruity” wine as it appeals to new wine drinkers. Strong and bold, typical flavors in Chianti include cherry, plum, strawberry, spice, almonds, vanilla and coffee. The wine is made from a blend of grapes including Sangiovese, Caniolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia.
Barbera – Barberas are one of my favorite variety of reds! They are versatile and pairs well with many dishes, including tomato sauces. Barbera is a light to medium-bodied red that is a bit fruitier in flavor characteristics. It has a silky texture and excellent in acidity.
Drink to Good Health
Research indicates that moderate red wine consumption may help protect against certain cancers and heart disease. Red wines contain several antioxidants that have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure. One glass a day for women and up to two glasses a day for men may decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke. Moderation is key, excessive drinking doesn’t produce the same benefits. So in other words, when it comes to red wine: more is not better.
If you’re interested in learning more about wine, I did my research at LoveToKnow: Wine.
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