An Introduction to Red Wines

Red Wine

Keep it Brief
Learn More

Bottom Line

Red wines are created from a variety of distinctive grapes, each lending a different flavor to the wine depending on how long and with what method the wine is aged.
Read the Full Story »

Must Know

See All

Red wines should be served at room temperature
Merlots, unlike other red wines, should be served cooler than room temperature.

By: Life123 Editors
Refrigerate leftover wine
Though it will never be as good as that first glass right after the uncorking, you can still salvage leftover wine. If you don’t finish a bottle of wine that has been uncorked, you should recork it and place it in the refrigerator for use the following day. Just pull it out a few hours before you plan on using it to bring it to room temperature.

By: Life123 Editors
Get to know wine tasting protocol
There is a reason that seasoned wine tasters go through all those steps while tasting wine; there is a lot about wine to appreciate and savor. You will get more enjoyment out of wine if you learn how to drink it like the pros do.

By: Life123 Editors

Trap Door

See All

Never store your wine in direct sunlight or at high temperatures
Wines are volatile and can break down easily. Wines preserve best in cool, dark places.

By: Life123 Editors
Don’t discount boxed red wines
More wineries are understanding the preservation value of this method of storage and bringing better-quality boxed wines to the consumer.

By: Life123 Editors
Never drink "corked" wine
Wine with cork taint -- and an unpleasant odor and taste -- should never be consumed. Take it back to your wine store for a replacement bottle.

By: Life123 Editors

Experts Say

See All

Publisher, Wine and Leisure

Most grapes used for winemaking are from one of two basic families: Vitis Vinifera, (originally from Europe, know as noble grapes) or Vitis Labrusca, (originating in the new world). The varieties of grapes in these two families are in the thousands.

WineandLeisure.com
WineGeeks.com

The Skin of a red grape is arguably the most important ingredient of red wine. Because the pulp of the grape is colorless, the tannins and color compounds of the skin are necessary to give red wine its beautiful color. The pigment is transferred into the wine when the skins are left with the juice during fermentation. This process is called maceration.

WineGeeks.com
Be Better Guys

Opt for lighter or medium grapes like Pinot Noir or Merlot when choosing a red wine you can drink on its own, either at a party, mid-afternoon or before dinner.

BeBetterGuys.com