Red wine has a lot of different types, among which, the most popular include Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Moreover, some specific types of red wines are better if you use them together with particular foods like fish or meat.

How do you know if that Burgundy you ordered is matched well with your food? And how about the light-bodied or full-bodied wines that wine lovers always talk about? So if you are like most people who do not know anything about wines and food and wine pairings, here is a short guide on the different types of red wine.

There are eight major types of red wine: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah or Shiraz, and Zinfandel.

Starting with the most popular, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered to be one of the most well-known red wine varieties. It is also described as full-bodied, meaning that its flavors are fuller and more complex than others. The cabernet sauvignon grape variety, from which the Cabernet Sauvignon wine is taken from, can be blended with merlot or cabernet franc varieties. It can also be a varietal wine, meaning it only used a single grape variety. Cabernet Sauvignon is best paired with red meat.

Merlot is also one of the most popular types of red wine. People who are new to wine tasting usually start with Merlot. It is good for introducing wine tasters to other stronger types of red wine. Merlot is less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, and has herbal flavors. You can also pair any kind of food with Merlot.

One of the most difficult grapes to grow is the pinot noir variety, from which Pinot Noir red wine comes from. Pinot Noir is rarely blended; it is usually a varietal wine. This is because of the soft, light tannic taste. It is also known for its fruity aroma, and often it smells like damp leather or tea leaves. Pinot Noir is a very good match for chicken, salmon, and lamb.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is known to produce the darkest types of red wine with complex and intense flavors. It can both be a blended wine or a varietal wine. Syrah also has a high tannin level and high acidity. Wine drinkers could usually taste strong blackberry flavors when drinking Syrah. Syrah is an excellent wine for meat because of its tannic flavors.

Just like merlot, malbec is usually blended with other grape varieties, such as cabernet blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot. As a varietal, Malbec is a dark and inky wine that tastes like berries and plums. Malbec is great with meat just like most red wines.

Zinfandel is considered to be the most versatile grape variety among types of red wine. It produces a strong-flavored red wine, but it can also produce a semi-sweet rose wine. Flavors associated with Zinfandel depend on the climate where the grapes were grown. For cooler climates it tastes more like raspberry, while for warmer climates there are notes of anise and pepper. Zinfandel can be paired with meals that have tomato sauce and barbecued and grilled meats.

The sangiovese grape variety originated from Italy. Sangiovese wine is known for its oaky flavor when it is stored in barrels, but fruity and a little bit spicy when it is young. It is the main component of the Italian wine Chianti, but it can also be made into a varietal wine. Being an Italian wine, it is perfect for Italian and Mediterranean food.

And last but not the least, there is barbera, which also originated from Italy. The barbera grape variety is the third most planted variety in Italy. Barbera is also known as a versatile type of red wine, with the aroma of blackberries, and flavors of berries and plums. Aging can also add an oaky flavor to the wine. Barbera also has high acidity and is great for many kinds of food, just like Zinfandel.

Red Wine 101 ? The Basics and Benefits of Red Wine

Red wine is one of the more popular types of wine and this wine is almost always synonymous to romance, passion, and love. Wine in itself is already a symbol of all these things and the deep red color of the wine only enhances this symbolism. Red wine can be purchased at specialty stores that sell just wine or even at your local grocery store.

Red wine can be sweet or dry. Apart from the taste that people enjoy, there are many health benefits when you drink red wine. Grapes are naturally rich in resveratrol, an agent that is known to raise HDL levels in the body. HDL is good cholesterol and resveratrol also helps prevent blood clotting. In studies, it has shown that red wine can even lower your risk of heart disease by preventing plaques from forming in the arteries and by assisting in the healing of damaged blood vessels.

The recommended intake of red wine is one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men. This is of course considering that you are already drinking alcoholic beverages. If you are not a habitual drinker, do not immediately change your drinking habits and take wine daily. This can even be harmful as this has been associated with the risk of cancer and weight gain due to empty calories when drinking wine. If you choose to add red wine to your diet, then gradually increase your intake over the course of a few months. This will allow your body to adjust to the processing of the alcohol.

There are many grape varieties that produce many varieties of red wine as well that are truly distinct from one another. Barbera is a red wine grape variety that has the same attributes as Merlot. A classic Italian red wine, Barbera has a silky texture and is best to be paired with tomato-based dishes. Zinfandel also works best with tomato-based dishes but also with grilled meats. This grape variety produces a red wine that has a zesty zing to it, almost spicy. Cabernet Sauvignon is the one that popularized the red wine and meat pairing. Perfect for almost any meat dish, this variety is full-bodied and its rich taste is due to its oak treatment.

Red wine will always be present no matter what the occasion is. Whether it is a delightful reunion with the family, a romantic candlelit dinner, or just enjoying an elegant dinner treat for yourself, the presence of red wine will truly add a splash of color and romance in every meal.

And just as with any other alcoholic beverage, drinking in moderation should be done because even if there are many health benefits that you can get, too much can be bad for you. Drink moderately and remember to enjoy your company no matter what type of wine or wine and food pairing that you have. After all, wine can only be enjoyed whenever you savor the moment, whether alone with your crystal glass or with the company of family and friends.

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