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Red Wines
Red wines tend to have stronger, richer flavors than white wines. Red wines actually range in color from dark purplish red to full red to a russet brown, depending on the type of grape used to make the wine and how long the wine has been aged.
To make red wines, red grapes are crushed and the juices left in contact with the skin for anywhere from a few days to a number of weeks. This skin contact is crucial, as the skin gives the wine both its color and another crucial element: tannins. Tannins are molecules that occur naturally in grape skins and seeds (and a few other places in nature). More importantly from the red wine drinker's point of view, the tannins give red wine its distinctive astringent (puckering) quality.
There are many styles of red wine, each made from a different type of grape. For instance, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon are two styles of red wine, the former made from pinot noir grapes and the latter from cabernet sauvignon grapes. In addition, the variations in flavor, structure, and texture within a particular style can be at once subtle and wide, much more so than in white wines.
Red Wine Guidelines
Because red wines can differ quite a bit from each other, it's impossible to provide a single list of specific instructions for each one. But there are general instructions and traditions for handling all red wines.
- Storage - Store red wines in a cool, dark place. Do not store near windows or heat sources. Never refrigerate red wine!
- Aging - How long to age a wine depends on the type and quality of the wine.
- Serving Temperature - The ideal serving temperature for red wines is about 65ºF (18ºC). If the wine is much colder or warmer, its taste will be dulled. If the red you are serving is too warm, you can cool it in a refrigerator for 10-20 minutes, but not more.
- Serving Instructions - If possible, open the red wine about an hour before serving and let it breathe. Ideally, pour it into a serving decanter to aerate it. This will increase flavor.
- Food Accompaniment - Because red wines tend to have powerful flavors they're typically served with hearty foods with rich, strong flavors. The fundamental rule is that the flavors of the wine and the food should complement each other.
Popular Red Wines
Here are some of the most popular red wines.
- Beaujolais
- Bordeaux
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chianti
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Zinfandel
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