Tips For Choosing The Best Type Of Red Wine

For some of us, picking the right bottle of red wine is as intimidating a task as manning a spaceship to Jupiter. Here are some handy tips which will make choosing red wines a little less onerous.

If the task of choosing the perfect wine was to be described in one word, it would probably be overwhelming. God bless you if you happen to be at one of those chic French eateries, where a snooty serveur called Jacques looks down his equally snooty nose to mumble incomprehensible recommendations. Especially if you happen to be one of the many who have a bewildered look on their face when presented with a snobbish leather-bound wine list that has names too complex to pronounce.

Another factor contributing to the confusion is the sheer volume of things to 'watch out for' when it comes to choosing wines. The acidity, the body, the aroma, the flavor… whatever happened to the basic joy of relishing a delicious meal in peace? We have here a simple list of recommendations, not rules, mind you, which will help you get a head start in the area of choosing the right red wine, with respect to the occasion.

The hallmark of a good wine is determined by its peculiar characteristics. When it comes to choosing the perfect wine, you need to understand what makes that wine special. In other words, you must be able to identify the wine's features to make an informed choice. Let's begin with a quick run-down on wine characteristics, which will put you in a better position to understanding the techniques of selecting the best red wine.

 The Acidity

The acid present in your wine determines its sourness. Low levels of acid make the wine weak in taste, whereas very high levels mean extra sourness. This kind of sourness literally shocks your taste buds very intensely. The best tasting wine is the one that perfectly balances the acidity.

The Body

The body of the wine refers to the alcohol content and sensation the wine leaves in your mouth after you’ve had a sip. A full-bodied wine leaves a strong aftertaste, which is hard to miss. The taste of lighter wines, owing to the scant presence of alcohol, disappears quite quickly.

The Tannin Content

The tannin content of a red wine lends it its characteristic rich bitterness. Tannin is a natural ingredient present in the seeds, skins and stems of the fruit used to make the wine. Tannin levels contribute to the structure and flavor of the wine.

The Bouquet/Aroma

This is another important factor that helps you get a preview of the things to come. Without getting into deeper details, you'll notice distinct aromas as you swirl the wine in your glass. They could be fruity, floral, earthy, even nutty. Doesn't really matter if you can't differentiate, because what matters ultimately is the next characteristic.

The Flavor

The flavor is what a good wine is all about, and this is what ranks above everything else. Having smelled the wine, you more or less get an idea of some of its ingredients, if not all. The flavor of the wine is what should dictate your decision to green-light the purchase. No matter what the wine connoisseurs have to say, your choice as a drinker should reign supreme.

A List Of The Most Prominent Grapes And Their Red Wines

Drinking red wine is one thing but if you want to make the most of your liquid voyage, then you need to understand the types of red wine you’re drinking. Within this article we'll take you through the full spectrum of red wine varieties, describing the specific regions and grape varieties, such as Syrah, Cabernet and Zinfandel, you can purchase.

When reading the label of any red wine bottle you will find that if only one grape variety is mentioned on the packaging, such as Merlot, this is known as a varietal. Various types of red wine will have different flavours and when you have a varietal wine, the taste will largely dominated by the single grape variety used. Additionally, to help identify that the red wine you're holding is a varietal, the name of the grape of will contain an initial capital letter.

The following is a list of the most prominent grape varieties and their resultant red wines:

  
Syrah

Syrah, as it's known amongst European wine producers, is a perfect accompaniment to hearty meat dishes such as beef, game and stews. Its origins lie in France and the Rhone Valley is a particular stronghold for the Syrah grape variety. However, you will also find California and Australia have a perfect climate for this red grape and are, thus, able to produce many types of red wine.

When sampling a Syrah red wine you'll be captivated by a cacophony of fruity flavours, most notably black fruits such as blackcurrants. Overarching these punchy flavours is a rich aftertaste with roasted meat highlights. This experience is completed by a hard-hitting tannin taste that provides a warm alcoholic finish to the drink.

Syrah is used to make many types of red wine that have an affordable price tag. However, because of its robust nature, it gives any red wine produced from it a deep taste it is also used for many high-end varieties. Indeed, if you enjoy a red wine that has a fantastic longevity and intense flavour then a Syrah is well worth a try.

Merlot

If you're palate is unfamiliar with the refined and complex taste of various types of red wine then Merlot is a great introductory tipple. A perfect accompaniment to almost any type of food, Merlots have a soft texture that sits well with both new drinkers and seasoned red wine enthusiasts.

This red grape variety has a major influence in the Bordeaux wine region. However, it's also a major international player, with blooming Merlot crops filling vineyards in Italy, Romania, Chile, California and Australia. Indeed, this grape is the fourth most prolific variety in the world and used to create many types of wine across a plethora of cultures.

Merlot has a fantastic nose and if you take the time to sniff the scents of a red wine made with this grape you’ll pick up a range of fruity notes. Plum is a major note emanating from the wine, as well as a mixture of herbal flavours. Unlike other types of red wine, Merlots generally have a soft taste in the mouth due to their low tannin composition. This makes then a much more rounded wine, but one that can have a gap when passing over the middle of the palate.

Cabernet Sauvignon

When considering types of red wine, the many connoisseurs of this world commonly hail Cabernet Sauvignon as the best. Because of this red wine's oak treatment and blending with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it flows perfectly with unspoilt red meats such as beef.

Found where the soil is perfect for red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown across the world and regularly contributes to a region's best types of red wine. Northern Germany, the Médoc wines of France, California, Australia and Chile all provide the perfect proving ground for this type of red wine.

When sampled in its infancy, a classy Cabernet Sauvignon will reveal a full-bodied taste to the palate. It will also contain a decent amount of polyphenols which create a gripping sensation on the tongue. As this wine matures you’ll discover a much smoother taste. Polyphenols polymerize over time, allowing the once subtle currant notes to permeate through and give a much fruiter taste.

Pinot Noir

The more complex the production process, the more sophisticated and complete a red wine will be. There are a few types of red wine that fit this description and Pinot Noir is one of them. Notoriously difficult to grow, this grape variety creates a smooth wine that is rarely blended.

Because of its subtle and complex flavours this wine is best appreciated with lighter meat dishes; usually ones that contain salmon or chicken. If you're looking for one of the best wines from the Burgundy region of France then look no further than their Pinot Noirs. Beyond this old world producer, California and New Zealand Pinot Noirs are also extremely highly rated.

The main characteristic of a Pinot Noir is its freshness. Unlike a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot Noir red wine contains soft tannins that create a fruity experience on the palate. Added to that is a hint of subtle flavours such as the tea leaf.

Zinfandel

The Zinfandel is a veritable "jack of all trades" in the wine world. In addition to making a white variety, this grape can also produce a series of heavy red wines. Because of its versatility, the best food pairings for wines made using this grape depending on the heaviness of the product. For Zinfandel red wines you can confidently serve a variety of grilled and barbecued meats.

This grape is only found in California and, thus, represents a major player in this market's types of red wine.

Because the grape can produce a range of wines, you get a real mixture of flavours on the palate. A zesty opening is often followed by the deep, somewhat creamy, texture of berries. A final note of pepper also creates a distinctive drinking experience.

How Many Calories In Red Wine

Most people are aware that alcohol has calories in it. But how many calories in red wine specifically? If you are a real red wine lover you will want to know how many calories it has in it, especially if you are dieting. Red wine can be part of any diet you are on, just so long as you don't drink too much of it!

Actually red wine can have fewer calories in it, but it does depend on the type of wine you are talking about. For example a sweet white wine will be more calorific than red wine, but a dry white will be about the same. This is obvious when you think about it, because of the sweetness.

However you should take this as a general guide rather than a specific figure. Different wines can vary depending on the ingredients and how they are made. Most red wines are more or less the same though, varying from around 85 calories to 95 calories in a glass.

Typically speaking a measure of wine will be around 125ml. It is useful to measure this in a glass rather than assuming you have the right amount, as wine glasses can vary a lot in size. You might think you are drinking 85 calories worth of red wine, but if you have a big wine glass you could be drinking a lot more than that.

For your information rose wine is generally around the same as red wine too, so if you are considering moving on to a rose from time to time you should work on the same amount of calories as a rough guide.

If you want to know how many calories in red wine bottles, you should figure out how many lots of 125ml are in a standard bottle. Most bottles are 750ml, meaning you will get six glasses from it. As you can see it is easy for the calories to add up if you end up drinking two or three glasses throughout the evening. Do the calories depend on the grape variety used to make the red wine?

Actually yes they do. For example a cabernet sauvignon is usually about 90 calories per 125ml glass. In contrast a burgundy is more like 95 calories for the same measure. However there is such a slight difference between the two that you would not ruin your diet if you had a burgundy every now and then instead of a cabernet sauvignon.

It is certainly a good idea to know about the calorific values of wine because it will enable you to plan your diet more effectively. Most people are aware that red wine in moderation is good for you. So when you want to know how many calories in red wine, make sure you refer to the information above and use it to ensure you don't drink more calories than you think you should!

Wine Testing Is An Art That Takes Time To Tnderstand And Acquire

Wine Testing is an art that takes time to understand and acquire. But most of us casual wine drinkers want to know how to taste wine without really getting into deeper details.Here's a no-frills method of wine tasting hat can b learned and used by any amateur in a few minutes.

We've all heard the line, "Red wine with meat, white wine with seafood and poultry". This saying is very basic, and yet it seems to work very well, literally all the time when it comes to tasting wine. But another thing that you have to know is that your personal taste is more important than what others say. If you're not enjoying white wine with your chicken, that's just fine. Don't keep drinking something you don't like simply because someone told you to.

Decide for yourself what you do like and don't like. With wines, you don't always have to follow the rules on how to taste wine. And yeah, that's the first rule of wine tasting.The reason red wine with red meat usually works is that you don't want either wine or food to overpower the other. And since most red wines are heavy and hearty, it makes sense that they should accompany a hearty meal.But, if you have a more complex white wine, by all means, serve it with steak. A nice contrasting combination would be spicy foods with a sweet, fruity white wine. Spicy foods like Indian, Mexican, Thai, or Chinese also pair wonderfully with a sweet wine such as a Riesling or Pinot Noir.

At the end of it all, it all comes down to your preference. But these tips may just help you understand the reason why a certain wine is chosen over the others.

The art of wine tasting

The art of wine tasting is very sophisticated and something that has to be learnt with time. But for a dinner-date, we could probably brush you up with a few tips!

Tip 1 The color of the wine is a good indicator of the quality of wine. Red wines become lighter as they age, and they taste a lot better when aged, whereas white wines tend to get ruined with age.

Tip 2 Now the part you need to know to impress your date. Always hold your glass at the stem. A wine connoisseur never holds the bulge of the glass, as the warmth of your hands could affect the taste of the drink! So be careful not to forget these finer points of wine tasting and drinking.

Tip 3 Before you take a drink of wine, swish your glass around to release the different flavors in it, and take a smell of it. When you take the time to sniff your wine, you are allowing your taste buds to better pick up subtle hints of flavor in the wine.

Tip 4 You can smell wine in two different ways. You can take a quick sniff and then sit back to contemplate about the first impression the wine gave you, and then take a longer, deeper sniff before allowing the smell to make an impression and taking a swig. Or you can just take the deep smell.Usually this depends on the person's preference, so you should try both to see which you prefer. However, you should never attempt to drink any type of wine before you have taken a long sniff and allowed your senses to take it in.

Tip 5 When you take a sip of wine, allow it to linger on your taste buds while swishing it around the entirety of your mouth, allowing it to come in contact with all of your taste buds, including ones found on the underside of your tongue.Contrary to what some of us learned in school, all taste buds are capable of detecting all types of flavors, including sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Sipping your wine slowly this way will allow your taste buds, as well as your sense of smell to identify the finer points that are not as easily detected in fine wines.

Tip 6 Your first swig will be the initial sense you get from the wine, this will awaken your taste buds and get them going. Now is when you should swish the wine around your mouth, and try to draw in a little air. Try to notice the body of the wine, for example, is it smooth and rich, or light and smooth? Before you take another sip of wine, relax and see how the after taste is. How long did the flavor of the wine stay in your mouth, and was it a pleasant experience?Now you can turn towards your partner and ask them what they felt. And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. A wine connoisseur!