subject: What Red Wines and White Wines to Drink, and When [print this page] What Red Wines and White Wines to Drink, and When
What Red Wines and White Wines to Drink, and When There is no hard and fast rule as to when to drink red wines or white wines, but typically red wines are better for cold winter nights when you want to snuggle up with a friend or loved one and have good conversation while white wines are perfect when poured on your deck in the summertime with a barbecued halibut filet. Part of this has to do with the temperatures at which the wines are served: red wines, served just below room temperature are much warmer than white wines, which are best when chilled. Here are a list of some of the best varietals from both the red wines and white wines.1. Winter: It is not so much that certain red wines taste better in the winter, but rather that they taste better with what you eat in the winter. Winter meals are best accompanied with full bodied, spicy Shiraz and Syrah red wines. The former is the New World blend from South Africa and Australia and the latter is grown in the Rhone region of France. These wines work best with hearty meals like soups and stews eaten during the cold months.2. Summer: Pairing red wines or white wines with grilled food is easy. First, consider how hearty the food is - steak, burgers, sausages taste better with red wines. Fish, chicken, and artichokes typically taste better with white wines. After you narrow it down to red wines or white wines, think about the marinade. For example, if you're eating chicken but it's marinated in habanero-barbecue sauce, you may want to choose a heartier wine. You can also enjoy rose wines during the warmer months. They are made by allowing the skins of the grapes to soak for a couple of days and then the grapes are crushed and fermented skinless. Rose wines are best enjoyed young.3. Fall: Fuller-bodied, richer wines go well with the heavy flavors of fall food, gamey meats especially. Malbecs, and Syrahs are good reds to choose, but don't count out the whites. A heavy, crisp Chardonnay does wonders because it doesn't have to be really chilled to bring out its flavors. Rieslings are another good autumnal match because they are sweeter, and can be drank outside during apple picking or picnicking . Another bold white is the Viognier, which has a tad more viscosity than your average Chardonnay.4. Spring: Grassy and herbaceous white wines like Sauvignon blanc are perfect for when you're gearing up for warmer temperatures. Crsip, you can also find fruitier variations of this wine from New Zealand and South America. Chill these wines between temperatures of 45 and 50 degrees for the best flavors.These are just some of the suggestions. The best part about wine tasting is that you have the freedom to drink whatever you want and experiment with what works best and when.
