Grape Wines

Diverse Drinks: Red vs. White Grape Wines

Grapes wines are known for their long record with human kind. From the ancient Greeks who wrote great epics centered about wine, to the wine-loving French that mysteriously never gain pounds even when their diet is full of saturated fat. And the list of the varieties of such wines is about as long as their history; with each kind of wine being in a class of its own.

But if you must simply divide the wine according to its purpose and taste, a choice between white wine and red wine would be the most appropriate difference between them.

While it may be an oversimplification to group all the grapes wines in the world into twocategories, most wines that come from grapes can be prepared in two ways: fermenting them with the skins, or without the skins. The former produces red wine, and the latter produces white wine.

Here is a quick breakdown of the two main differences between red wines and white wines.

Red wines are called red wines not because they are blue or black or orange or pink: it is because they are red. From deep hues of red to lighter color tone of red, all grapes wines that are dark and opaque are called red wines. This is because of the tannins in the grape skins that dyes the wine red, and gives red wine its unique color. Now take note that a few red wines may appear bluish or even blackish, but shine a light through them and you will see a shade of red there somewhere.

While red wine is called red, white wine is called white not because of its color, but its lack thereof. White grapes wines are fermented without the skin; only the pulp of the grapes is left to ferment in the vats. This causes the solution to be clear, as most grape pulp is clear and transparent. Without any skin to provide the tannins, the white wine then does not gain color: making it clear by nature.

Because of the presence of a high amount of tannins in the solution, red wines have a distinctly stronger and more complex taste; often to the disliking of newcomers to the wine scene. This heavy, strong taste makes red wine go well with foods that are equally strong and complex in nature. Beef, lamb, duck, sausages, and other meats are prime matches for red wines.

Conversely, the lack of tannins in white wines gives them a tangy, almost fruity flavor. This makes them easier to the palette, and goes well with foods that are light in flavor too. It helps you savor the taste without overpowering the taste buds, like what red wines tend to do. This makes white wines ideal for meals with chicken, seafood, turkey and other light foods.

Remember, there are many other types of grapes wines out there, and it would not do them justice to simply be grouped into these two very broad categories of red and white wine. Just learn to appreciate the flavor and texture of each wine, whether dark or transparvarietiesent, and you will eventually understand why this broad categorization simply will not be able to encompass all the wines out there in the world.

Delicacy Of French Vintage Dessert Wines Of 1998

France is the finest wine making land, and no other country has gained the prominence which it enjoys amongst connoisseurs. For France, especially for the Hugel Et Fils winery, 1998 was an excellent year, with several vintages being produced, much to the joy of enthusiasts.

Throughout the world, every reputed wine retailer stocks his cellar with the elegant dessert wines that were produced in that wonderful year of French vintages. Indeed, three grapes that flourished in this glorious year are Gewrztraminer, Riesling and Tokay Pinot Gris, both of which are well known among the wine connoisseurs for their suppleness and scrumptiousness.

The Hugel et Fils Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998 is a fine beverage that is a favorite of people who buy wine online regularly. It is an elegant still, dessert wine produced in Alsace, France from Gewurztraminer grapes, and possesses 12% alcohol by volume. It is a white wine that has hues of gold and a concentrated bouquet of oriental spices, honey, orange blossoms, currant and marshmallows.

This wine is well known for its luscious, smooth, luxurious texture that reminds the drinkers of fine liqueurs. Those who frequent a particular wine store would know that its price falls somewhere in upper-middle range, but bulk orders make it a great buy for all.

Another awesome offering of the land of France is the Hugel et Fils Tokay Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998. It is also an Alsatian still, dessert wine that is made from the succulent Pinot Gris grapes that grew in 1998. Those who wish to buy wine are mesmerized by the concentrated yellow-gold color of this beverage, along with the bouquet of ripe fruits, particularly the grapes.

It possesses vibrant aromas of figs, honey, toffees, apricots, licorice, hazelnuts, quince, grapes, zan and dates, all of which enchant the nose. People who write reviews of this wine online praise its property of being an excellent accompaniment to blue cheeses as well as pan-fried and roasted foie gras.

This list rounds up with a description of Hugel et Fils Riesling Selection de Grains Nobles 750ml 1998, which is also produced by Hugel Et Fils winery. It is another Alsatian still, dessert wine that is produced from Riesling grapes in the Alsace valley of France, and stocked by each and every wine retailer.

The white wine has hints of green color, intensity of deep colors, but eventually turns out to be crystal clear. Its bouquet boasts of pink grapefruit, melisse, pineapple & lemon grass, and the palate comprises ripeness & acidity. Indeed, it is a preferred choice of wine enthusiasts based in New York.

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Types of Red Wines

There are many different types of red wine and red wine blends, but these popular and well-known types of red wine are most commonly seen on a wine list. While many are grown in famous wine making regions like northern California, France’s Rhone Valley and regions in Australia, there are many great tasting wines produced in Argentina and Chile too.

Merlot is known for being an easy to drink wine, that pairs well with many different types of food. Merlot also usually has a lower amount of tannins than a Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a good “beginner’s” wine because of its smooth flavor.

Malbec is another good “beginner’s wine” that is smooth like Merlot with berry flavors. Malbec is the most popular wine produced in Argentina, but it is also produced in Chile and in California. Pinot Noir is one of the popular wines grown in Burgundy and is notorious for its delicate and fruity flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, tends to be a more aggressive wine, tasting more full-bodied with age. Winemakers will blend Cabernet with Merlot and age the wine in oak barrels to give the wine a sweet, vanilla flavor.

Zinfandel is a versatile wine from California that is used to make blush wines like White Zinfandel and also robust red wine. It’s often paired with pizza and grilled food because of its peppery flavors. When in Italy, pair Sangiovese with your Mediterranean food. Sangiovese is a good medium-bodied wine produced in regions of Italy such as Tuscany.

Shiraz is a wine that is very commonly found in Australia. It is also called Syrah in Europe. While both Shiraz and Syrah refer to the same grape, they are two different styles of wine produced in two different locations. Shiraz and Syrah can have an intense flavor, so it is perfect served with a hearty stew or roast.

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A Wine Lover’s Weekly Guide To $10 Wines – A Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon From Chile

Chile can be an excellent country for Cabernet Sauvignon. This one comes from the Central Valley viticultural region, which is Chile’s oldest and most traditional wine producing area. That region is divided into four areas, including the Maule Valley, which is not particularly distinguished, perhaps not surprising given this wine’s modest price tag. In a way it is less expensive than at first glance because it’s kosher, and kosher wine production and distribution inevitably involves additional costs. By now you probably know that kosher wines are not always super sweet. This wine is dry. The bottle’s back label states that it was produced by Vina Carta Vieja, a seventh-generation family winery whose first vineyards were planted in 1825. But a trip to their bilingual website did not turn up any indication whatsoever of this wine. Please excuse me for not calling them (I don’t speak Spanish) to confirm or deny its parentage.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price. Wine Reviewed

Don Alfonso Cabernet Sauvignon (V) 2009 12.5% alcohol about $ 10 Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Description : A complex Cabernet filled with aromas of blackberry, cherry and black olive. Dry, ripely fruity with subtle oak notes, no tannins to speak of, but nicely balanced, nonetheless. Medium long, lush and smooth finish. Grilled steak is called for. And now for my review.

At the first sips of this wine I got oak and dark fruit but the wine faded rather quickly. Its first pairing was with slow cooked beef ribs with potatoes in a savory sauce. This Cab was chewy and mouth filling. It was hearty and tasted of black licorice. I also enjoyed a salad composed of carrots, palm hearts, chickpeas, Lebanese cucumbers, red peppers, and canned corn. This fine salad softened and lengthened the wine.

The next meal was a boxed eggplant parmiagana which I slathered with grated parmesan cheese. Here the Cabernet Sauvignon showed light acidity and lots of oak. There were barely perceptible round tannins and some black cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. The wine was refreshing but not powerful.

My final meal was beef stew with chickpeas. The wine was woody with dark black cherries. It presented a good balance between the tannins and acidity.

Prior to the traditional two cheeses I enjoyed some schmaltz herring in oil instead of the more common vinegar preparation. The Cab tasted of black cherries and was slightly sweet with some oak. When paired with a local Provolone, the wine was slightly harsh presenting light acidity and black cherries. With a tastier Swiss, the wine was round but not very forceful.

Final verdict. This is definitely a wine worth buying again. Not all its pairings were fine, but many of them were and the price was right, even more so if you are looking for kosher wine. Many people will appreciate the relative lack of tannins, which is rather unusual for a Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Wine- and the Healthiest Wines

Wine is very good for our health. But are they the same impact? What is the healthiest wine? We can list many kinds of wine, such as Ports, Tables, Red, Whites, Rose’s, Fume’s, Ice…This article will give you much information about wines.

Well let’s start with the obvious. Any wine you drink too much of is not going to help you. One glass per day is recommended for men and no more than 3 per week for women. (Women can’t digest alcohols as well as men. I’m not making this stuff up, Dr. Nancy Snyderman actually reported this on the Today Show recently). Any more than that and the alcohol content is linked to cancer, obesity and other health problems.

So, answer 1 – the healthiest is the one you enjoy drinking in moderation.

Let’s move on to the different types. Red’s rule the health roost. White’s don’t use the healthy grape skins in the fermentation process, ice has too much sugar, Rose’s are a combo of red and white and tables/ports are pretty much reds.

So answer 2 – red wines are the healthiest choice in wine

Of the red wines, which are the healthiest? We’ve got two answers here. The first is organic wines. Organic aren’t always the best tasting but some are surely good. You’ll have to try a few to find your favorite. Organic wines are grown without pesticides and chemicals so the grapes are left to fend for themselves. Do you know what chemical grapes produce to help fight disease and fungus? You guessed it – Resveratrol!

The second category of reds are the Italian and French wines grown in the mountain regions. Because these zones are colder, the plants must battle more fungus, which means more resveratrol – which means healthier wine.

Bottom line – If you can find an organic red wine grown in the mountains of Italy or France, you’re going to live forever (well in theory). 🙂

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