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Red Wines
from:Red wines are made from red grapes, although the colour comes from the grapes being fermented with the skins still on. This process increases the amount of tannin and gives red wine their colour. Tannin is the natural ingredient which is in grape skins, it gives wine some of its flavor and helps in the aging process. Wines which contain large amounts of tannin age well.
Types of Red Wine Grapes
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is used in the making of a large number of the world’s most popular red wines. It is a grape which grows well and produces high yields in many different climates. It is also used to blend with other different grapes. The flavor is medium to full bodied and often is associated with strong flavors which can vary between tastes such as cherry, blackcurrant, tea leaves or tobacco. It has a high tannin content which helps the again process.
Another popular red grape is Merlot. It is softer than Cabernet Sauvignon and is lower in tannin. Some of the tastes that are often associated with Merlot include berries, spices, cherries and plum. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pinot Noir is quite difficult to grow and produce effectively as it only grows well under certain conditions. The wine is lighter in colour and softer in texture than the Cabernet or Merlot grapes, Pinot Noir grapes also have less tannin. In the past the best Pinot Noir wines have come from the Burgundy region in France. In recent years California and Oregon have produced some excellent Pinot Noir red wines and continue to improve.
Shiraz and Syrah grapes are basically the same. Shiraz is the name used in Australia for their red wine, and has a lighter and fruitier flavor. Syrah is the major grape used for many of the wines produced around the Rhone are in France.
Tempranillo grapes are grown in Spain and are the primary grape used in the making of Rioja. Spicy and earthy flavors distinguish this red wine. In Portugal the grape is called the Tinta Roriz, it is used to make port.
Used to make some of the very best Tuscan red wines including Chianti, Sangiovase is the most famous grape. High in tannin and medium to full bodied, wines made from the Sangiovese grapes often contain a hint of violets or fruit, and are most distinctive.
In Abruzzi on the Adriatic Coast of Italy they grow Montepulciano grapes. The grapes are low in tannin and produce a smooth red wine.
Germanys most famous red grape is the Spatburgunder. Its distinctive smell of black cherries, strawberries and spices and is a great accompaniment to fish.
The Zinfandel grape grown in California is believed to have originally come from Croatia. Zinfandel is a hearty red wine with flavors that include berries, plums and spices.
Whichever red wine you choose, it will certainly contain one or more of these famous grapes.
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