Aside from the obvious colour differences, red and white wines can vary in numerous ways. The differences in their composition can affect their taste, the foods they should be paired with, and their ability to age. Different types of grapes may be used for each type of wine, but in some instances the same grape varietal can produce both a red and white type with contrasting flavours and bouquets.

Fermentation Process

The first difference to be mentioned regarding red wine and white wine is the way they’re made. Red wine will generally be made form black grapes while whites can be made from black or green or a combination of both.

When making red wine, the manufacturer leaves the skins, seeds, and stems in the fermenting vat with the juices to allow the extra tannins to leech into the liquid. For white wine the juice would first be extracted from the skins, seeds, and stems then fermented on its own. Blush wine is produced by removing the skins part way through the fermentation process.

Taste and Tannins

The tannins in wine that give it a more bitter flavour come mostly from the skins. Because red wines are fermented in a vat with the skin, they a have higher tannin content and generally have a more dry and bitter flavour. Whites usually taste fresher and crisper as their tannin content is lower.

Aging

The tannins in wine help to preserve it, so for the most part, red wines can be aged longer and will taste better with age as the tannins mellow. Some of the tannins can be removed to make the wine ready for immediate consumption, which is why white wines are usually ready to drink much more quickly as they naturally have a lower tannin content.

Flavours

Generally speaking, red wines will have a more bitter, mouth puckering taste while whites will be much smoother and sweeter. Reds may taste heavier and full-bodied and lights may be fresher and fruitier, but in some cases those characteristics could be reversed. Tasting as many wines as possible will give you the best idea of what to expect with each type and can give you a better appreciation of the differences between white and red wine.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …

When pairing a wine with any given meal, a few guidelines should be followed. It’s important not to overpower the food being served while choosing something that will compliment the taste. If you want to keep the process simple there are some very general rules you can follow, but to choose the perfect wine a little more experience and research may be required.

Wine and Food Pairing Basics

Generally speaking, it’s usually a safe bet to pair red wine with richer foods and white wines with lighter meals. You may also choose to use a wine from a certain region with foods that come from the same area. The right wine should prepare your palate for the meal you’re enjoying rather that clash with it, so choosing a wine that is less complex that your food can be a good start.

When to Use a Red Wine

On most occasions, a red wine can be served with red meats and red sauces. They can go well with beef, lamb, pasta, or anything rich and hearty. Some red wines are more bitter than others, so depending on your personal tastes and your own experiences, you may find a personal preference for which wine variety you like best with different types of meats.

White Wines with Your Meals

White wines are usually crisper and fruitier and can be paired best with lightly seasoned foods. Chicken, fish, pork, and foods with light sauces will usually taste best with a white wine. Sweeter whites can be served with fruits and salads while a drier type may taste best with something that has a bit more spice.

Getting More Information on Specific Wines

A certain degree of trial and error may be required if you have a pickier palate, but starting with the basics will point you in the right direction. Tasting more wines can expand your knowledge base and being open to the suggestions of experienced sommeliers when dining out may introduce you to potentially new and delightful wine and food pairings.

The proper wine should add to the flavour of the meal rather than distract from it. If you’re serving a multi-course meal, it can be a good idea to offer a different type of wine for each course. Your own tastes will be the final deciding factor on which wines to serve with which meals, but additional tips and advice can be found on manufacturer’s websites, in-store from your wine retailer, or even by the suggestions of regular dinner party guests.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …

Wine can always make an incredibly classy gift for any birthday, anniversary, wedding, or retirement party. It can be a great thank you gift, house warming present, or hostess gift at a dinner party. The only tricky part to giving wine is determining the tastes of the recipient, but with a few wine choosing tips you should be able to pick something that will be much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed.

A Casual Gift of Wine

If you’re unsure of the type of wine your gift recipient enjoys, sticking to a white variety will be your safest choice. Because white wines are usually sweeter and lighter they are usually enjoyed more often by those who may not drink wine regularly. Examples of popular wines that are smooth and easy to drink would be White Zinfandel, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay is a bit drier but may be a good choice if you have an idea of your gift recipient’s tastes to some degree.

Buying For a Wine Enthusiast

For those who drink wine more often and can appreciate a more complex or bitter flavour, a decent bottle of red wine can make an excellent gift. Merlots are usually on the sweeter side for a red wine while a Pinot Noir will be more bitter and intense. Red wine has a higher tannin content which gives wine that mouth puckering sensation. Because of the unique flavours found in red wine, this type of wine is best given to an experienced wine drinker.

Give Them Something to Experience

You may intend to give your gift to an avid wine drinker, in which case you may want to impress them and find a wine they’ve never tried before. If it’s within your budget, looking for a rare vintage could make your gift a big hit. If you’re unsure about the different varieties of wine, be sure to buy your gift from a retailer that can provide expert feedback and advice.

Wine Gift Baskets

It’s hard to go wrong with a gift basket of any type, and a wine gift basket can be perfect for so many occasions. Because you’re giving multiple items at once, you can afford having a few hit and miss wines in the basket. Adding some cheese, crackers, or chocolates can be a nice touch and will be appreciated by everyone at the party if your recipient opens and shares their gift on the spot.

When you aren’t sure what to get, sticking to a white wine will be your safest option. For any celebratory types of occasions, a nice Champagne or sparkling wine can give a fun and exciting touch to your gift. Even if you buy something your recipient doesn’t normally drink, you may be introducing them to a new flavour they’ll come to love.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …

Wine glasses, like wines themselves, come in many different varieties. In order to fully enjoy any given type of wine, using the perfect glass is a vital detail that must be paid attention to. Glasses come in different shapes and sizes for a reason, so understanding their functions will allow you to choose the appropriate glass for the type of wine you intend drink.

Type of Material

The type of glass your wine glasses are made from can greatly impact your enjoyment of the wine. For some, seeing the hue and clarity of their wine is unimportant and they may prefer a more visually appealing frosted or coloured type of glass.

For wine tastings or wine connoisseurs, a clear, clean glass should be used so you can properly see the brightness, hue, and density of your wine. Some wines may be cloudy while other can be an intense purple or sparkling white. Clear glasses will allow you to fully enjoy the visual aspect of wine drinking.

Stem Length

Stemless wine glasses are available to purchase, but if you’d like to avoid warming your wine with the heat from your hand or leaving oily fingerprints on the bowl, you’ll want to choose a glass that has adequate stem length. Holding your glass by the stem can keep your wine cool while allowing you to get a proper visual experience through a clean, unobstructed bowl.

Wine Glass Shape

For different types of wine, different glass shapes may be necessary to fully enjoy the bouquet of that particular wine. Small glasses are perfect for dessert wines since they are usually heavy, sweet, quite rich and are best enjoyed in smaller amounts. Tall and thin wine flutes are good for Champagne and sparkling wines to ensure they retain their carbonation for as long as possible.

Complex red wines should be enjoyed from glasses with large bowls for maximum swirling and to allow the intense bouquet to fully breathe. A smaller, rounded glass can be used for white wines to direct their more subtle aromas straight into your nose and palate.

The proper wine glass can maximize the flavour of your wine. What may seem like a minor difference from one glass to another can have a substantial impact on the enjoyment you’ll get from your next glass of wine. Having a collection of glasses for all occasions or just the right set for the type of wine you drink most often with allow you to get the most from your favourite flavours, aromas, and bouquets.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …

Making wine from home can sometimes be a costly process to start and it may take quite a bit of your time and effort to make a decent batch. Understanding the proper procedure and what to expect along the way can help you start the process off correctly and save you a lot of trial and error.

Equipment

Get everything you’re going to need before you begin to avoid having to halt your wine making process and search for an additional piece of equipment you may have forgotten. To begin the process you’ll need a fermenting vat to ferment your grapes in. You’ll need to have bottles, corks, and labels ready once your wine is complete in order to prepare it for storage.

Depending on the process you’ll be using you may need oak casks for aging, glass jugs, a hydrometer, a fermentation lock, crushing gates, and an acid titration kit. Wine kits can be purchased that will provide everything you’ll need including chemicals and additional supplies. Some companies will even provide instructions or lessons on the wine making process if you need it.

Ingredients

The main thing you’re going to need for making wine is the grapes or any other fruits you plan on using. It takes about 70 pounds of grapes to make 6 gallons of wine, and you’ll want to make sure you know what type of wine you can make out of the grape varietal you chose. Fruit concentrates can also be used which may be easier than crushing your own grapes, but you may have less control over the end product with this option. If you have the proper space and live in an appropriate region, you may choose to even grow your own grapes.

Sugar, yeast, and additional chemicals will also be required for the process. You’ll need Campden tablets, which are a sulphur-based brewing product, to add to your wine while it is being made. These tablets kill certain bacteria and prevent the growth of wild yeast.

Procedure

The grapes are crushed to form a must for red wines, or the juice is extracted from t he skins and seeds to use for whites. The must or grape juice is fermented in a vat for usually around a week or two then racked to remove sediment. The racking process may be repeated a multiple times depending on the amount of sediment left behind or the type of wine you’re making.

Once the wine is siphoned out of the vat and the additional sediment is left behind it can be bottled and will be ready for storage. Knowing how long you’ll be aging the wine you’ve produced will allow you to prepare an appropriate storage area in advance. Some types may be ready for consumption immediately while others may require months or years of aging.

For any new wine makers, errors can be expected regardless of how prepared you are. Once you’ve made a few batches you’ll likely begin to better understand the process and be more confident in your brewing abilities. For anyone with a love of wine this can be a fun and rewarding hobby and for some it can even turn into a lucrative business.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …