Red And White Wine: The Difference

Like many other people, you probably enjoy anTannins are compounds present in grapes and
occasional glass of wine. You've probably triedother plants. Tea also contains tannins... if you've
various red wines and white wines. But do youever drank a strong cup of tea, the bitter,
know the difference between reds and whites?astringent taste is caused by these tannins. In
The color, obviously, but there are other factorswine, these tannins act to prevent oxidation of
that make reds and whites quite different.the wine while it ages. This is important in red
Both red wine and white wine can be either drywines, since reds are generally aged and matured
or sweet, or anywhere in between. But in general,for a longer period of time than white wines. The
reds are more robust and more complex thantannins present in red wine also provide another
white wines. White wines tend to be lighter,layer of flavor, increasing the complexity of the
without the complexity of reds. This basicwine, and making it more robust. The astringency
difference has more to do with how the winesof the tannins will diminish and mellow as the wine
are fermented than it does with the grapes.ages.
Although red wines are generally made with redBoth red and white wines make an excellent
and black grapes, and white wines are usuallyaddition to your meal. There are no hard and fast
made from green grapes, this isn't always therules for matching wine and food, but the
case.differences in wine do provide some guidelines.
The main difference between red and whiteUsually red wines, because of their complexity will
wines is the fermentation process. When makingmatch better with a strong flavored meal. White
white wine, the stems, seeds, and grape skins arewines, with their lighter body and taste match
removed from the grape juice after pressing.better with chicken or fish. But the main factor in
With red wines, the grape stems, seeds, andchoosing a wine for a meal is your own taste.
skins are left in the juice. Because of this, tanninsWhether you prefer a light, white wine, or a
and pigments will leach out of the stems, seeds,full-bodied red, just choose whatever wine you
and skins into the grape juice. It's these tanninsprefer to accompany your meal, and enjoy!
that produce the complexity of red wines.