subject: The Four Basic Types Of Red Wines [print this page] If you are one of those people who feel socially inadequate because you know nothing about wines, then this article is for you. Read on and learn about the basics of wine knowledge. What is wine anyway? Wines are alcoholic beverages made of fermented grape juice. Its alcoholic content is usually 14 percent or less. There are two basic types red wine and white wine and under each are several kinds.
The four basic types of red wines:
Cabernet Sauvignon (cah-ber-nay so-ven-yon). The grape that is made to produce this wine comes from the Bordeaux Region of France. This fragrant wine contains different flavors such as raspberry, black cherry, tobacco, cedar, and dried herbs. It is a strong wine that is recommended for beginners and the faint of heart. Cabernets can be both drunk immediately or stored to mature.
Pinot Noir (pee-noh nwahr). This is a delicate and light-bodied wine that is recommended for beginners. The flavour tastes of plum and strawberry.
Zinfandel (zin-fun-dell). This wine is squeezed from a big grape in California. It has a rich purple-red color with strong spicy berry flavours. There is also a white version which is quite popular. It is made by winecrafters who take out the grape skins after the fruits are smashed.
Merlot (mer-loh). This is a fruity wine that is well-known in the U.S. It is made from red grape which is known for its use in the Bordeaux area just like the Cab. However, they have less tannin and are thus a bit sweeter and smoother. Dark red in color, Merlots has the predominant flavours of cherry and black currant.
Pairing wine and food
Reds go well with red meat dishes while white wine matches fish, chicken and vegetable entrees. Be careful when selecting reds because if they have not been aged properly, they may be too dry. Merlots are a good choice if you're a wine beginner as they're ready for drinking. If you are serving a white dish but prefer reds to whites, you can serve your food with a lighter red like Pinot Noir. Light reds go well with tuna or salmon which are the meatier fish. In the same way, pork loin would go well with stronger white such as Chardonnay. As for dessert, go for one of the sweet whites like Reisling.
When it comes to wines, the bottom line knows what you like and discovering your personal taste comes with experience. If you are trying to lose weight but you love wine, there's a popular diet called The Mediterranean Diet which incorporates weight loss and wine drinking.
