by kittygutz

Many people with even just a basic understanding of wine know that there are certain “rules” about what is and is not proper when it comes to your menu and your choice of red or white, specifically, red meat means red wine, and everything else means white. But what’s the real difference between these two choices, and how can you tell which is going to be best for your particular menu?

It’s important to remember that wine is just a beverage made when you ferment grapes or other fruits; the fermentation process is when sugars are converted to alcohol. When you make beer, the natural starches in the barley or other grains is much like sugar, and this is what converts to alcohol during that fermentation. Many people assume that any type of wine is just made from grapes, but there are many fruits that can be used, including apples, bananas, strawberries, elderberries, blackberries, and so on.

Wines are named after the fruit they are made from, and when they are made from grapes, it is the type of grape it is made from. For example, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlot are all types of grapes. If not named after the grapes, they are named after the area they are grown in, such as Bordeaux, Rioja, Chianti, or Cotnari.

You may not think that there is much difference then between red or white wine; since it’s all grapes, why go so far so as to even make rules about what foods to serve it with? However, think about the difference between coffee and tea. Typically you think of coffee as a “heavier” beverage and tea as something lighter. Coffee has a much more pungent flavor and is typically stronger than tea. You can also compare cola with lemon-lime soda; cola is a heavier drink while the lemon-lime soda is crisper and lighter. In the same way, red wine is typically “heavier” than white, and usually has a much stronger flavor. It is usually more pungent in taste. White wines are usually crisper, lighter, and have a fruitier flavor.

The main reason that certain wines are recommended with certain foods is that you never want the food to interfere with its flavor, and vice versa. You also want something that’s strong enough to complement the flavors of the food as well. For example, people rarely have tea with chocolate; the strong flavor of the coffee is a better fit for the sweetness of the chocolate. Of course, recommendations for wine are not hard and fast rules, and there’s no reason you can’t mix things up and stick with the flavor that you prefer regardless of what you’re eating. Try a few different combinations and see what makes you palate the happiest.

By: David Cowley

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Sonia A asked:


After I’ve opened the bottle, how long will last in the fridge? Also, do you only drink red wine at room temperature? Can anyone suggest a good, but inexpensive white wine? I like zinfandel and chardonnay…Also a red wine that is not too dry or bitter, something a little on the sweet side? I kinda like merlot…but I’d like to try something else as well..One more thing..is it me, or does wine make you super tired by the second glass?

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

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Kate asked:


I’m typically a red wine drinker (sangiovese and merlot in particular). I have yet to develop a taste for white wine, but I wanted to start trying some out. Any white wine suggestions for a red wine lover?