Red wine is a timeless drink. It can evoke pictures of different scenes in different countries and always represents some kind of passion. Red wine is also of course, used in Holy Communion in both the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches and hence, has a sense of mysticism attached to it.

Think of red wine in France and you think of cafés with tables outside. Glamorous women, sipping at glasses of the red nectar and discussing politics and art with strange bearded men.

Red wine in Italy is also glamorous but also more functional. You think of restaurants, packed with families, all with a glass of red wine. Eating together and discussing the events of the day with a passion that can only ever be felt in Italy.

In Spain, red wine evokes the tapas bars. A glass of wine and a small plate of nibbles with older men, sat at the bar alone whilst other groups sit at tables around it.

When it comes to red wine, it can be confusing as to what kind of wine is right for you. There is such a wide variety of grape types that go into wine production that you can find yourself bewildered when faced with the options.

To optimize the experience, red wines need time to breathe once opened before serving. They do not need to be chilled (but can be if you so desire), and they go well with strong flavours and dark meats.

There are a large range of grapes that go into red wine production and it can take some time to get to know the ones that you prefer. The obviously classic varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

The wines you see on your local wine merchant’s shelves can sometimes be confusing. Some labels feature the name of the grape and some, the area that the wine is made in.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz are all the names of the grapes used to make the wine. Burgundy is a region of France; most of the wines that are made here are made from the Pinot Noir grape. Chianti is a region of Italy and most of wine that we call Chianti is made from the Sangiovese grape. Rioja is a region of Spain and most of the wine made from this region is made from the Tempranillo grape.



By: Fiona Muller

About the Author:

lizb asked:


I researched some websites and I get different kinds of wine such as red wine & dry white wine. Which is really the best/right one? What do most restaurants use?

tripeace asked:


I wanted to start drinking red wine because I have heard of health benefits. I also want to become more acquainted with red wines. I usually drink white wine. What is a good starter red wine that is not too dry or too sweet?

Ms. Piggy asked:


Invited to a wine and cheese tasting for a friends birthday who is turning 29? SOunds boring! TRying to be optimistic. Can’t u fill the excitment!!! But i just want to know what to expect, wear, etc. How long will this take? Should i bring a gift? What to eat beforehand? Just any details that u can think of from your experience.

Thanks

hewgnew_342634 asked:


If so, which of all the red wines category can or best chilled to bring out the aromas and flavors?

What causes the low temp or room temp to bring out the flavors of red wines?

Is there a difference in aroma and taste if decanted after a brief chill?

What about Spanish wine from Spain?

What makes them special compared to other wine producing countries?

What is the best way to serve Spanish wine?

Hiya! asked:


4 pork chops 500 ml red wine oregano 2 bay leaves 3 spoons butter Salt Pepper

METHOD
Place the chops in a bowl and marinate for at least 8 hours with wine, oregano, the bay leaves, salt and pepper. Drain the chops and fry in butter. Then pour over them the marinade and cook until tender. Can be served with rice or fried potatoes.

Sunidaze asked:


I’m going with friends this afternoon and wondering what the grounds are like – should I expect it to be similar to Pine Knob aka DTE (meaning and lot of up and down hill walking – that was hell when we saw Godsmack last year at DTE and my cousin was on crutches)? Will it be mostly in the grass meaning a muddy mess with the wonderful weather we’ve been having?

Jones asked:


I’m visiting my girlfriend in Berrien Springs and have never been to the wineries there, and am interested in checking them out. She is underage herself, so she doesn’t know much about them other than the locations of a few near where she lives; is there anywhere I might be able to find a map online, or information about certain wineries?

nirak asked:


I use red wine in meat dishes and marinades and white in sauces and fish/chicken dishes. i know wine has lots of calories but if you cook it doesnt the alcohol evaporate? what effect does this have on the nutritional value? can children also eat dishes with wine in?

Jambi asked:


What can I substitute for the white wine for the sauce. Will red wine work? how about a dry marsala? or should I just increase the amount of beef stock?