| Like many other people, you probably enjoy an | | | | Tannins are compounds present in grapes and |
| occasional glass of wine. You've probably tried | | | | other plants. Tea also contains tannins... if you've |
| various red wines and white wines. But do you | | | | ever 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 factors | | | | wine, 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 dry | | | | wines, 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 than | | | | tannins 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 basic | | | | wine, and making it more robust. The astringency |
| difference has more to do with how the wines | | | | of 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 red | | | | Both red and white wines make an excellent |
| and black grapes, and white wines are usually | | | | addition to your meal. There are no hard and fast |
| made from green grapes, this isn't always the | | | | rules for matching wine and food, but the |
| case. | | | | differences in wine do provide some guidelines. |
| The main difference between red and white | | | | Usually red wines, because of their complexity will |
| wines is the fermentation process. When making | | | | match better with a strong flavored meal. White |
| white wine, the stems, seeds, and grape skins are | | | | wines, 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, and | | | | choosing a wine for a meal is your own taste. |
| skins are left in the juice. Because of this, tannins | | | | Whether 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 tannins | | | | prefer to accompany your meal, and enjoy! |
| that produce the complexity of red wines. | | | | |