The Wine Guide

Red Wine

There are a countless number of red grape varieties in the world, some able to make wine, others best suited for the Welch’s factory. Right now, the world wine market focuses on about 40 – 50 different red wine grape varieties, the most widely recognized and used listed below.

What differentiates red wine from white is first, the skin color of the grape, and second, the amount if time the grape juice has with its skins. After picking, red grapes are put into tanks or barrels where they marinate with their skins for a bit, absorbing the pigments and other aspects of the skin (think tannins). This is how red wine gets its red color. The exact color, which can range from light red to almost purple, depends on both the color of the particular grape skin and the amount of time it sits with the skins. Remember, the inside of almost all grapes is a light, golden color – it’s the skins that have the pigment. For example, much of Champagne is made from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier, both red grapes. Yet because it spends so little time on its skins, the color of the Champagne is often white.

The list below is roughly organized from lighter-bodied to fuller-bodied, lower tannins to higher tannins and light color to deeper color – but note that this is not an “always” list, just a general guideline. Remember, European and old-world countries tend to label their wine by region, while new world wine is most often labeled with grape variety.

Other popular red grapes and where they grow best:

White Wine

White wine differs from red wine in, first and most obviously, color. Under that skin, the pulpy part of a white grape is the same color as that of a red grape. The skin dictates the end color for red wine, which differs from the white’s color determinates.

This is mainly due to the pressing of the grapes. When white grapes are picked, they are immediately pressed and the juice is removed from the skins with little contact.

Color in white wine does vary, often from the type of grape, occasionally from the use of wood. Listed below are a few of the most common white varieties in the world wine market and of wine.com. They are listed from lighter bodied, and lighter colored, to fuller bodied with deeper colors. The list is not set in stone – winemaker’s decisions and climate may affect the end result of a white wine’s body and color – we just give you the guidelines.

Other white grapes to notice, listed alphabetically:

A Rose by Any Other Name ( Rose Wine )

Technically, a rosé is an “unfinished red wine,” but the term seems so- secondary. Rosé is a different sort of wine, with all the refreshing qualities of a white wine mixed with some characteristics of a red. It can be made from many different grape varietals and in many different regions, the most popular and successful being Southern France, Spain, California & Italy.
Notable Facts

Rosé is a wine that goes through the red winemaking process, but is stopped before extracting too many red wine characteristics. Almost always made from red varietals, the grapes are pressed and the juice sits with the skins for fermentation – but just for a little while – enough time to get a bit of color and a bit of the skin characteristics. Then fermentation continues as a white wine, most often in stainless steel. Rosés are typically ready to drink early – not so much to age. Some popular regions of rosé are Tavel (an AOC for ONLY rosé wines in the Rhone area of France), other areas of Southern France, Spain, Italy and California. Almost all regions make rosé, and many from different grape varieties (Grenache – based in Spain, France, Australia and South Africa; Sangiovese or Nebbiolo in Italy). Just like red and white wines, rosés can be of different styles – sweet or dry, dark or light – the winemaker and grape variety (or varieties as rosés are often blended) are key. Pink wines have delicious character and are perfect for food. For dryer styles of rosé, try those from Southern France and Spain, for the sweeter styles, look for White Zinfandel and some other California rosé makers.

Summing it up

Successful Sites: Southern France, Spain, Italy, California
Common Descriptors: strawberry, raspberry

Source:

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Tags: Best Red Wine, Dry Red Wine, Dry White Wine, Gudie To Wine, Red White, Sweet Red Wine, Sweet White Wine, The Wine Guide, Types of Wine, White Wine