The world of red wines can seem intimidating, with a wealth of information that’s often hard to process. That’s why we bring you this easy, stress-free guide to help you navigate the world of red wines. From understanding wine bodies and choosing the right flavors to explaining aging secrets and regional influences, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make confident and informed choices. Dive in and discover your perfect red wine match!

Exploring the Different Types of Red Wines

Red wine is a world of diversity, with over 50 different types to explore and enjoy. Wines are raging from the bold heavy reds to lighter, fruity styles. We can guarantee there is something for every person to find depending on the occasion. With so many options available, let us be your guide on where to start and how to choose the perfect red wine for you.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes one red wine “smooth” while another is “dry” or “sweet, don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you so on your next wine conversation you can showcase your expertise and pass the knowledge on.

How Can a Wine Chart Help Me Choose the Right Wine?

Choosing wine can be both a fun but also confusing process if you are not sure what you are looking for. There are many different styles and options and it’s easy to get decision fatigue. So let’s keep our focus on some key elements.

When you look at a wine chart, you’ll see descriptions of the body, style, tannin levels, acidity, and more. These descriptors can help you pick a wine that suits your taste, meal, or occasion.

Wine Body: Understanding Weight and Texture

The body of a wine refers to how it feels in your mouth, which is mostly influenced by the alcohol content and grape variety. Here’s a quick guide to help you match the body of a wine with the right dishes:

• Light-bodied wines (alcohol content below 12.5%) are delicate and often crisp. They pair well with light dishes like salads, seafood, and fresh fruits.
  Examples: BARUN MARQUIS PINOT, Gamay
• Medium-bodied wines (alcohol content between 12.5% and 13.5%) offer a balance of flavor and structure, making them versatile and perfect for pairing with most foods.
  Examples: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
• Full-bodied wines (alcohol content above 13.5%) are rich and robust, often ideal with red meats, hearty stews, or strong cheeses.
  Examples: Malbec, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Red Wine’s Ageability: The Secret to Long-Lasting Flavors

One of the arguably best and most fascinating aspects of red wine is its potential to improve with age. However, aging wine isn’t as simple as buying a bottle and leaving it on your kitchen cabinets for a couple of years. To age well, red wine must be kept in specific conditions: in a cool, dark place, with consistent temperature and humidity levels. Storing red wine too warm can “cook” the wine, causing the fruit flavors to become mushy and overripe. Additionally, red wines are usually bottled in tinted glass (green or brown) to protect them from harmful UV rays, which can also degrade the wine over time.

While full-bodied wines tend to age better due to their higher tannin levels, light-bodied wines should be consumed sooner, as they age more quickly.

Do Wines Have Spice?

Spice is not something you think of when red wine is mentioned but Yes! Many red wines have spicy notes. The flavors often come from a combination of factors such as alcohol content, acidity, grape variety, and the fermentation process. Wines with higher alcohol and acidity levels tend to have a spicier, more peppery finish.

Spicy Red Wine Examples:

• Zinfandel
• Chianti
• Syrah

Wine Color: What Does It Really Tell You?

You might think the color of a wine is just for aesthetics, but it actually tells you a lot about the wine’s structure and age. Here’s a look at what different shades of red wine can indicate:

• Light Red Wine Color

Lighter red wines tend to come from grape varieties with thinner skins and lower pigment concentrations. These wines are often higher in acidity and can age faster due to their lighter structure.

Examples: Pinot Noir, Gamay (Beaujolais), Grenache, Teran, Frankovka, Pošip (Red Expression)

• Dark Red Wine Color

Darker red wines come from grapes with thicker skins and higher levels of color compounds (anthocyanins). These wines are typically lower in acidity and have more tannins, which allows them to age longer and develop complex flavors over time.

Examples: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Malbec, Zinfandel, Babić, Dingac

How Does Region Affect Wine?

The region where wine is grown will significantly affect the flavor. Different climates, soil types, and winemaking techniques all contribute to the uniqueness of the wine.

In essence, a wine’s terroir (the environment where the grapes are grown) plays a major role in shaping its taste and quality. Even the same grape variety, from the same region can vary in taste from year to year depending on the climate conditions of the region. So, next time someone says, “All Pinot Noir tastes the same,” you can confidently point out that climate, soil, and vineyard practices influence the wine’s personality!

What is a Sweet Red Wine?

A sweet red wine is simply one where there is more residual sugar left after fermentation. The sweetness can vary depending on the grape variety and winemaking techniques used. Some sweet red wines are made by fermenting concentrated juices, while others use methods like noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to shrivel grapes and concentrate their sugars. Fortified wines, like Port, have added grape spirits that halt fermentation, leaving a higher level of residual sugar.

Examples of Sweet Red Wines:

• Port-Style Wines (often made from Plavac Mali)
• Trnjak (a Croatian grape variety)
• Zlatan Plavac (Sweet Version)
• Frankovka (Sweet Version)
• Plavac Mali Late Harvest
• Prošek Riserva

Fun Red Wine Facts to Share at Your Next Tasting

Here are a few fun facts to impress your friends at your next wine gathering:

• Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape variety in the world.
• Red wine gets its color from the skins of the grapes, not from the flesh, which is usually clear.
• Red wine contains melatonin, which can help regulate your sleep cycle. So, drinking a glass before bed might just help you relax and sleep better (but don’t overdo it!).

Wrapping It Up

Now that you’re armed with a little more knowledge about red wine, it’s time to explore and experiment! With so many styles, regions, and variations, red wine offers an endless array of tastes and experiences. The next time you’re at the wine shop or enjoying a glass with dinner, you’ll be ready to make a confident choice. What will you try next? Let us know!