Cheers to you! You are probably here for one of two reasons: either you really love red wine and want to know more about it, or you just want to soak in as much knowledge about random topics as you can so you can go on to fulfill your lifelong dream of becoming a winning contestant on Jeopardy. If either of these is true—you’re in luck, because you’re about to learn a thing or two about red wine.
Today in celebration of #NationalRedWineDay we’re going to talk about red wine facts that everyone should know.
1: Some Red Wines are Healthier Than Others
Not all red wines are created equal. Some wines are packed with more healthy stuff than others, i.e. condensed tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon has more condensed tannins than Pinot Noir. However, these two have even less than Tannat, Petite Sirah, or Sagrantino. Here are some clues to help you select a healthier red.
1: Dry red wines are healthier than sweet reds.
2: A lower alcohol content (below 13% ABV) is healthier than a higher one.
3: Red wines with a higher tannin, (more astringent) is better than a low tannin wine.
2: Young Red Wines are Healthier than Older Reds
Sure… it’s the general consensus, among aficionados and experts, that well aged wine is better. In taste, this may be so, but if you’re talking about a wine that’s better for you, then young wine is the way to go! Young red wines contain greater tannin levels than any other type of wine.
3: Red Grapes are Older than White Wine Grapes
The yellow and green colored grapes that produce white wines are thought to have originally come from a mutation of red grapevines. This is a pretty convincing theory, since Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc are cousins that share the same DNA.
4: Red Wines Age Longer Than White Wines
The color and tannin in red wines, generally helps preserve them for longer periods than white wines. These traits are commonly known as “structure” and an indicator of how long a wine will age.
5: Red Wine Grapes Can Be Used To Make White Wine
The color in wine comes from the grape skins, as opposed to the juice. It is possible to make a white wine from red grapes. The wine is made like a white, without contact with the grape skins. This is pretty common. For example, a Blanc de Noirs Champagne is a white sparkling wine made with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (red) grapes.
That’s it for now! We hope you enjoy celebrating Red Wine Day. If you’d like some red wine recommendations, ask the wine experts at your local Spec’s, Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods.
