| Advanced Appreciation of Red Wine |
| Heng's Advanced Guide to the World of Red Wines Ok, you�ve bought and drunk a couple of red wines already. So now you are ready to know more about the vast world of red wine. Many of them are technical stuff and are not easy to memorize... But after you know them, you can be called a �small expert� in the field of red wine in no time at all! :-) About Tannin in Wine Firstly, it is necessary for beginners to know that wine tastes significantly different because of the different degrees of tannin in them. Tannin is a big issue in red wine. It is actually the red colored substance that all red wines absorb from the grape skins when they are made. Tannin can also be introduced from the oak barrels where the wines are kept. Tannin is what makes up the rich color of red wine and the majority of the �difficult first taste� that you experience. Wines with high tannin enhance the flavors of food and goes well with steaks, barbecue food and many other meat. Wines with less tannin are easier to drink and go well with sweeter food such as dishes with fruits and vegetables. (Please see Guide to Food and Wine later) Young wines usually contain more tannin than old ones. The stronger the tannin in wine, the more it is necessary to keep the red wine for years before the tannin can subside and the wine can change to more interesting tastes. Young wines with little tannin are great to drink everyday and at any time when your mood is right. They are THE wines that are enjoyed by wine-lovers most frequently. Types of Grapes Ok. Now comes the vital portion of learning how to appreciate red wine. The MOST important component that makes up the taste of red wine is the types of grapes from which various red wines are made from. This is because red wines taste different due to the different types of grapes from which they are fermented. Some grapes are sweeter than others and are able produce more alcohol (sugar is fermented to alcohol). Different wines made from different grapes have very distinguishing aromas and tastes only unique to them. Hence it is essential for an amateur drinker to have a good knowledge of these grapes before embarking further into the vast world of red wines. Here is the list of the four major wine-producing grapes and their descriptions: Please click: NEXT |
| The Old and New Worlds Classic Wines of the Old World Contenders of the New World Food and Red Wines!! Conclusion Ah Heng's Recommendations Back to Lab |
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