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