Red Wine vs. White Wine: A Beginner's Guide

Welcome to our blog about red wine versus white wine! If you're a wine lover, you know that there are many different types of wine to choose from, each with its own unique flavours and characteristics. In this blog, we'll delve into the world of red wine and white wine and explore the differences between these two popular types of wine. We'll cover everything from the grapes used to the production process and the flavours and aromas of each type of wine. Whether you're a seasoned wine drinker or a beginner, this blog will provide you with all the information you need to understand the differences between red and white wine and make an informed decision about which one to choose.

What is white wine?

White wine is made from white grapes, which are typically lighter in flavour and colour than black grapes, which are used to make red wine. There are many different types of white wine, each with its own unique flavours and characteristics. Some common types of white wine include:

• Chardonnay: This is a full-bodied white wine with rich aromas and flavours of oak, butter, and tropical fruit.
• Sauvignon Blanc: This is a medium-bodied white wine with crisp and refreshing aromas and flavours of green apples, citrus, and grass.
• Riesling: This is a light-bodied white wine with floral aromas and flavours of green apples, citrus, and honey.
• Pinot Grigio: This is a light-bodied white wine with crisp aromas and flavours of pear, melon, and citrus.

White wine is typically served chilled and pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including seafood, poultry, and lighter meats. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

What is red wine?

Red wine is made from black grapes and is generally fuller-bodied and has a higher alcohol content than white wine. There are many different types of red wine, each with its own unique flavours and characteristics. Some common types of red wine include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: This is a full-bodied red wine with aromas and flavours of black currant, black cherry, and cedar.
• Merlot: This is a medium-bodied red wine with aromas and flavours of black cherry, plum, and chocolate.
• Pinot Noir: This is a medium-bodied red wine with aromas and flavours of strawberry, raspberry, and mushroom.
• Primitivo: This is a full-bodied red wine with aromas and flavours of blackberry, raspberry, and pepper.

Red wine is typically served at room temperature and pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including red meat, game, and strong cheeses. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

What about sparkling wine?

Sparkling wine is a type of wine that is made with carbon dioxide, which gives it its characteristic bubbles. There are many different types of sparkling wine, including champagne, prosecco, and cava.

Sparkling wine is made in a similar way to still wine, with a few additional steps to create the carbon dioxide that gives the wine its bubbles. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in making sparkling wine:

1. Harvesting: Grapes are harvested when they are ripe and at their peak of flavour.
2. Crushing and fermentation: The grapes are crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice is then placed in a fermentation tank and yeast is added to start the fermentation process. The yeast converts the sugar in the juice into alcohol.
3. Secondary fermentation: After the primary fermentation process is complete, the wine is bottled and a small amount of sugar and yeast is added. The yeast consumes the sugar and produces carbon dioxide, which dissolves into the wine and creates the bubbles. This process is called secondary fermentation or the "méthode champenoise."
4. Ageing: The sparkling wine is then aged for a period of time. During this time, the yeast cells that were responsible for the secondary fermentation die and settle to the bottom of the bottle.
5. Disgorging: The sparkling wine is then chilled and the yeast cells are removed by a process called disgorging. The wine is then sealed with a cork or a crown cap.
   

There are many factors that can affect the flavour and quality of sparkling wine, including the type of grapes used, the fermentation process, and the ageing process.

Now, what are the differences in how white and red wine are produced?

White Wine
White wine is made from white grapes, which are crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice is then fermented to make the wine. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in making white wine:

1. Harvesting: White grapes are harvested when they are ripe and at their peak of flavour.
2. Crushing and pressing: The grapes are crushed to release their juice. The juice is then separated from the skins, seeds, and stems.
3. Fermentation: The juice is placed in a fermentation tank and yeast is added to start the fermentation process. The yeast converts the sugar in the juice into alcohol.
4. Ageing: After fermentation, the wine is aged for a period of time. White wine is typically aged in oak barrels, which can add flavours of vanilla, butter, and oak to the wine. Some white wines are also aged in stainless steel tanks, which do not add any additional flavours to the wine.
5. Fining: After ageing, the wine is clarified by a process called fining. This removes any remaining solids or impurities from the wine.
6. Filtering: The wine is then filtered to remove any remaining sediment or particles.
7. Bottling: The wine is then bottled and sealed with a cork or a screw cap.
   

There are many factors that can affect the flavour and quality of white wine, including the type of grapes used, the fermentation process, and the ageing process.

Red Wine

Red wine is made from black grapes and is made in a similar way to white wine, with a few additional steps to give the wine its colour and tannins. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in making red wine:

1. Harvesting: Red grapes are harvested when they are ripe and at their peak of flavour.
2. Crushing and fermentation: The grapes are crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice, skins, seeds, and stems are then placed in a fermentation tank and yeast is added to start the fermentation process. The yeast converts the sugar in the juice into alcohol.
3. Maceration: The skins, seeds, and stems are left in contact with the juice for a period of time to give the wine its colour and tannins. This process is called maceration.
4. Pressing: After maceration, the wine is pressed to separate the liquid from the solids.
5. Ageing: The wine is then aged for a period of time. Red wine is typically aged in oak barrels, which can add flavours of vanilla, butter, and oak to the wine.
6. Fining: After ageing, the wine is clarified by a process called fining. This removes any remaining solids or impurities from the wine.
7. Filtering: The wine is then filtered to remove any remaining sediment or particles.
8. Bottling: The wine is then bottled and sealed with a cork or a screw cap.

There are many factors that can affect the flavour and quality of red wine, including the type of grapes used, the fermentation process, and the ageing process.

Appropriate storage of red and white wine

Red and white wine should be stored differently because they have different chemical and physical properties that require different storage conditions to ensure that they age properly.

Red wine is typically more robust and full-bodied than white wine and can benefit from being stored in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature. This can help preserve the wine's flavours and aromas. Red wine should also be stored on its side to keep the cork from drying out and letting air into the bottle, which can cause the wine to spoil.

White wine is generally lighter and more delicate than red wine and should be stored in a cool, dark place as well. However, white wine should be stored upright to prevent the cork from getting wet and allowing air into the bottle.

It's also important to store wine away from light, as exposure to light can cause the wine to spoil or become "lightstruck," which gives the wine a skunky aroma.

However, it's important to note that white wine and red wine should be stored differently to prevent the corks from drying out or becoming wet. White wine should be stored upright to prevent the cork from getting wet, while red wine should be stored on its side to keep the cork from drying out.

How should I store sparkling wine?

Sparkling wine should be stored in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature to help preserve the bubbles and flavours of the wine. It's also important to store sparkling wine upright to prevent the cork from becoming wet, which can cause the wine to lose its carbonation.

Sparkling wine should be served chilled and is typically served in a flute or a tall, narrow glass to help retain the bubbles. If you are not planning to drink the sparkling wine right away, it's a good idea to store it in the refrigerator to keep it chilled.

The ageing process of red and white wine

The length of time that you can store white wine and red wine depends on the type of wine and the storage conditions. In general, white wine has a shorter shelf life than red wine and should be consumed within a few years of the vintage date. Red wine, on the other hand, can last for several years or even decades if it is stored properly.

To store white wine, it should be kept in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature. White wine should also be stored upright to prevent the cork from getting wet and allowing air into the bottle.

To store red wine, it should be kept in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature and stored on its side to keep the cork from drying out and allowing air into the bottle.

It's important to note that wine can be affected by changes in temperature and exposure to light, which can cause it to spoil or become "lightstruck," which gives the wine a skunky aroma. So it's best to store wine in a place that is consistently cool and dark.

If you're not sure how long a particular wine will last, a good rule of thumb is to drink it within a few years of the vintage date for white wine and within 5-10 years for red wine. However, some red wines can last much longer and even improve with age if stored properly.

In conclusion, wine varietals are a crucial factor to consider when selecting a wine. Different grapes produce different flavours and aromas, and understanding the characteristics of each varietal can help you find a wine that suits your preferences. It's also important to store wine properly to ensure that it ages well and retains its flavours and aromas. By keeping wine in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature and storing it upright (for white wine) or on its side (for red wine), you can help preserve the quality of the wine and ensure that it tastes its best. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just enjoy the occasional glass, understanding wine varietals and proper storage techniques can help you get the most out of your wine experience.