Appreciating Red Wines

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Wine lovers tend to be very aware that all red wines are not the same, although the average person may not realize there are differences that extend beyond the label on the bottle. In reality, there are at least 50 key varieties of red wine and the colors can range from light red and ruby red to opaque purple and almost black. Even the flavor can vary greatly among the varieties, ranging from fruity to having a hint of tobacco. Learning more about reds is a great way to develop an appreciation for this versatile wine type.

The color and flavor of red wines is a combination of the wine making process and the variety of grapes used. Grapes used to make reds range from deep red to purple to blue and the skins are left on during fermentation. The skins contribute to the varieties of color and, along with the grape seed, determine the amount of tannins in the finished product.

The longer the skins are left in contact with the fermenting grapes, the deeper the color and the higher the tannin content. Reds with the highest tannin content are considered full-bodied, like Cabernet, while lower tannin content gives medium-bodied Merlot or light-bodied Beaujolais. The fruity reds, which are named because of their flavor not because there is any sweetness, have the lowest tannin content of all the reds.

In addition to creating the variety of colors present in red wines, fermenting grapes in the skin also contributes flavenoids to the wine. The antioxidants, which are found in grape skin and seeds, enter the wine during the fermentation process. As a result, the concentration of flavenoids increases with the body of the wine. Four ounces of red wine per day contributes to heart health by reducing clotting, lowering bad cholesterol levels and raising good cholesterol levels. Flavenoids are also thought to play a part in forming nerve cells that may be key in avoiding the onset of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Flavenoids also aid in preventing the growth of cancer cells.

For many, recognizing the difference between red wines and whites is limited to looking at the color, while the difference in reds is written on the label. In reality, the difference between reds and whites, as well as the difference between varieties of red, begins in the vineyard and continues in the winery. Subtleties in color, flavor and aroma have been perfected by the makers and the variety keeps people coming back for more. Learning about those subtle differences makes it much easier to appreciate them.

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