| I have been wondering about the difference | | | | wines is the amount of tannins they have. |
| between red wines and white wines. To me, | | | | Since tannins largely come from the grape |
| they taste quite different. Red wines are | | | | skins, red wines have more of them than white |
| heavier and more complex than white wine, | | | | wines. Red wine acquires it's tannins in the |
| and often tend to be less sweet. Why is | | | | process of maceration (leaving juice to mix |
| this? Actually red and white wines are made | | | | together with the skin, seeds and woody |
| quite differently. The differences between | | | | bits). It is the tannins and skins of the |
| red and white wines include the kinds of | | | | red grapes which are released into the wine |
| grapes used, the fermentation and aging | | | | that contribute to the deep color and flavor |
| process, and the character and flavor of the | | | | of red wine. Tannins have a slightly bitter |
| wine. | | | | taste and create a dry puckery sensation in |
| | | | the mouth and in the back of the throat; and |
| White wines are almost always made from white | | | | often lend a wonderful complexity to red |
| grapes, although they can be made from black | | | | wine. They also help preserve the wine. |
| grapes, since the juice in most black grapes | | | | This is why red wines are usually aged longer |
| is clear. When white wine is made, the skins | | | | than white wines. |
| of the grapes are separated from the juice | | | | |
| when they are put into a crushing machine. | | | | There are as many different flavor profiles |
| Then yeast is added to the juice for | | | | among red wines as there are among white |
| fermentation, until the juice becomes white | | | | ones. Some red wines are sweet and fruity, |
| wine. After filtering etc, the wine is aged | | | | while some whites ( such as Chardonnay) have |
| by storing it in stainless steel or | | | | tannins from being stored in oak containers. |
| occasionally oak containers and bottled after | | | | Some German white wines have lasted for |
| a few months. White wines, then, are made | | | | centuries, while some red wines are made for |
| without skins or seeds and are essentially | | | | immeadiate consumption. For wines meant for |
| fermented grape juice. They have a light | | | | consumption right away the winemaker takes |
| character and have crisp fruit flavors and | | | | out the bitter tannins, creating a fruity, |
| aromas. They can be sweet or dry or | | | | fresh, and approachable wine. So, apart from |
| somewhere in between. Chardonnay, Pinot | | | | the color, there are no hard and fast rules |
| Grigio/ Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon | | | | about the differences between red and white |
| Blanc are all white wines. | | | | wine. |
| | | | |
| Red wine is usually made from red or black | | | | Is it true that red wine is better for you? |
| grapes, although all the kinds of grapes | | | | The research of Dr Frankel has shown that red |
| usually have a clear juice. The process of | | | | wine contains more antioxidants than white |
| making red wine is different from the one of | | | | wine, although the total amount varies |
| making white wine. After the grapes have | | | | according to the variety of grape, region it |
| been in the crushing machine, the red grapes | | | | was grown, the climate and soil it was grown |
| with their skins and everything sit in a | | | | in, and whether it was stored in oak (since |
| fermentation vat for a period of time, | | | | wines stored in oak have more antioxidants) |
| typically about one to two weeks. . The | | | | and the filtration techniques used. However |
| skins tend to rise to the surface of the | | | | the antioxidants in white wine are apparently |
| mixture and form a layer on top. The | | | | more effective. The research of Dr Troup |
| winemaker frequently mixes this layer back | | | | shows that the antioxidant molecules in white |
| into the fermenting juice (which is called | | | | wine are smaller and thus more effective |
| must). After fermentation is over, the new | | | | because they can be more easily absorbed. |
| wine is taken from the vat. A little "free | | | | It seems that white wine is just as healthy |
| run" juice is allowed to pour and the rest of | | | | as red wine. |
| the must is squeezed into "press wine". The | | | | |
| wine is clarified and then is stored, usually | | | | In summary, the primary difference between |
| in oak containers, for several months until | | | | red and white wine is the amount of tannins |
| it is ready to be bottled. The oak | | | | they contain, although there are no hard and |
| containers add additional wood tannins and | | | | fast rules about the differences between them |
| flavors to the wine which help to intensify | | | | outside of the color of the wine. Usually |
| it and add richness to it. The result of | | | | red wines are more complex, richer, and |
| this process is that red wines exhibit a set | | | | heavier, with spicy, herby, and even meaty |
| of rich flavors with spicy, herby, and even | | | | characteristics. White wines are usually |
| meaty characteristics. Beaujolais, Cabernet | | | | sweeter, and lighter, and have crisp fruit |
| Sauvignon, Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Noir and | | | | flavors and aromas. Neither is significantly |
| Zinfandel are all red wines. | | | | better for you. Which wine is best for you |
| | | | to drink is simply a matter of taste. |
| The main difference between red and white | | | | |