How Do You Compare Red and White Wine?
Many people with even just a basic understanding of wine know that there are certain "rules" about what is and is not proper when it comes to your menu and your choice of red or white, specifically, red meat means red wine, and everything else means white. But what's the real difference between these two choices, and how can you tell which is going to be best for your particular menu?
It's important to remember that wine is just a beverage made when you ferment grapes or other fruits; the fermentation process is when sugars are converted to alcohol. When you make beer, the natural starches in the barley or other grains is much like sugar, and this is what converts to alcohol during that fermentation. Many people assume that any type of wine is just made from grapes, but there are many fruits that can be used, including apples, bananas, strawberries, elderberries, blackberries, and so on.
Wines are named after the fruit they are made from, and when they are made from grapes, it is the type of grape it is made from. For example, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlot are all types of grapes. If not named after the grapes, they are named after the area they are grown in, such as Bordeaux, Rioja, Chianti, or Cotnari.
You may not think that there is much difference then between red or white wine; since it's all grapes, why go so far so as to even make rules about what foods to serve it with? However, think about the difference between coffee and tea. Typically you think of coffee as a "heavier" beverage and tea as something lighter. Coffee has a much more pungent flavor and is typically stronger than tea. You can also compare cola with lemon-lime soda; cola is a heavier drink while the lemon-lime soda is crisper and lighter. In the same way, red wine is typically "heavier" than white, and usually has a much stronger flavor. It is usually more pungent in taste. White wines are usually crisper, lighter, and have a fruitier flavor.
The main reason that certain wines are recommended with certain foods is that you never want the food to interfere with its flavor, and vice versa. You also want something that's strong enough to complement the flavors of the food as well. For example, people rarely have tea with chocolate; the strong flavor of the coffee is a better fit for the sweetness of the chocolate. Of course, recommendations for wine are not hard and fast rules, and there's no reason you can't mix things up and stick with the flavor that you prefer regardless of what you're eating. Try a few different combinations and see what makes you palate the happiest.
Related Tags: wines, types of wine, wine tasting tours, wine clubs, wine information, port wine
David Cowley has created numerous articles on Wines. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to wine information. Visit Wine Information
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Understanding The Home Made Wine Making Method
Many people love to sample different types of wine, but sometimes, you just can not find one you rea - How The Internet Can Help You Choose The Perfect Wines With Confidence
How do you choose the right wine for a special occasion without being bamboozled by wine merchants o - An Elegant, Thoughtful And Elite Wine Gifts - Perfect For All Occasion
Wine gifts are considered as 1 of the best presents for men. They come in a selection of tastes, vin - London Bars
An ultimate London experience surely includes catching a glimpse of the Buckingham Palace, strolling - Vinotemp Vt-28teds Thermo Electric Digital 28 Bottle Wine Chiller
If you are looking to buy a freestanding wine cooler to house your tasty wine collection or perhaps - Haier 6 Bottle Wine Fridge - Small And Compact!
You all know the old saying that good things come in small packages, well it is true with this space - Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator - Does It Improve The Taste Of Your Wine?
The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator is a must have for any wine lover or avid enthusiast. Every wine - New World In More Ways Than One - The Universe Of Wine Online
What is wine? The distilled and matured juice of grapes. It's also, according to the aficionado (of - Alcohol Free Wine! Explore The Great Discovery
Alcohol free wine is quite healthier just like its traditional counterpart, rich in minerals and vit - Haier Wine Cooler Refrigerators - For Storing Wine
You will find many people around always complaining about the problem of storing their wine. So answ
Most viewed articles in this category:
- 6 Benefits to Making Your Own Wine
Ever thought what benefits you can reap by making your own homemade wineMaking wine is an art that i - HomeMade Wine Making-Some Things You Might Not Know
As wine has become more popular in the United States and growing steadily every day, there has been - What Do You Need A Wine Bottle Rack For?
There are increasing numbers of wine lovers each year globally; in fact on a noticeable level even d - A Wine Rack Cabinet As An Addition To Your Home
The art of decoration has taken on a life of its own, inspiring a host of books and reality televisi - Break Up Your Winter Reds With An Elegant White Burgundy
If you are like me, you ate a little too much this holiday season and you made a resolution to shed - Spinetta's Finest Baby Barolo Yet
Last week we were at a blind tasting in Manhattan which featured wines from Piedmont, Italy. Out of - Brunello Fans Meet Your New Spanish Favorite
f you have been following our newsletters - and we hope you have - we recently featured a fantastic - To Really Enjoy Superb Wine - Top-up with NAD
When an alcoholic beverage is swallowed, it passes through the stomach into the small intestine wher - I Love Italian Wine and Food - Aosta Valley Region, Piedmont Wine
If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Aosta Valley region of northern Ital - 2004 'Clio,' Bodegas El Nido
Clio was our fastest selling wine over the last year. We literally could not keep it in the store. T