| Most of us know that wine comes from grapes | | | | |
| that are aged. But have you ever wondered | | | | White wines have these same compounds but at |
| what helps the grape age properly and why red | | | | much lower levels. This is because the inside |
| wines need more time to age than white wines? | | | | of the grape is what wine manufacturers |
| | | | mostly use and by not using as much of the |
| The process of aging starts immediately after | | | | exterior skin less tannin is present. This |
| the grapes are picked, crushed and pressed. | | | | results in a considerable shorter aging |
| The grapes are then put into an oak barrel or | | | | process than a vat with a large amount of |
| steel vat, with some winemakers preferring to | | | | tannin present. Attempting to age most white |
| add oak chips to the vat. During the aging | | | | wines over an extended period causes it to |
| process acids, sugar and tannin interact. By | | | | flatten and lose some of its aromatic |
| having more tannin present the winemaker is | | | | freshness. |
| able to age the wine for a longer period | | | | |
| without fear of oxidation. This along with | | | | So go ahead and save that special red wine |
| temperature, light conditions, and alcohol | | | | for your Grandchild's marriage, but be sure |
| complete the aging process. Wines age faster | | | | to serve the white wine within two or three |
| with a warmer temperature. So the winemaker | | | | years. |
| tries to maintain a coolstable 55-65 degree | | | | |
| temperature in a dark area as the ideal aging | | | | Wines go through the above process to be |
| atmosphere. A big fluctuation in temperature | | | | ready for consumption. Next the wine is |
| or light conditions on a daily or weekly | | | | bottled and stored in wine cellars to finish |
| basis is detrimental to a good wine. | | | | the ageing process. Most wines are consumable |
| | | | when the purchased. The main reason is |
| Now why are red wines aged more than white | | | | because no one expects to plan the dinner |
| wines? A simple explanation is that all | | | | menu for that special party two or three |
| grapes are white inside, which means that red | | | | years in advance in order to age the correct |
| wine needs to allow the exterior skin to mix | | | | wine for the occasion. And how many people |
| with the interior when being crushed to give | | | | have a wine cellar to complete the aging |
| it the red color. This mixture contains | | | | process of their favorite wine? |
| tannin, which also aids the aging process | | | | |
| significantly. You also get tannin from the | | | | Wine is also used in religious ceremonies in |
| oak sides of the barrel. Compounds within | | | | many cultures. The Bible mentions wine no |
| these, known as phenolics, allow the wine to | | | | less than 191 times. The references in both |
| age longer while keeping the wine from | | | | testaments often admonish the reader to use |
| oxidizing. So the red wine is able to age | | | | wine, but to use it properly and not to |
| longer and develop a more full flavored bold | | | | misuse it. |
| taste. | | | | |