What is red wine – Is it good or bad?

Red wine is fermented grape juice, but there are thousands of years of history behind this simple definition. After all, over seventy countries produce wine today, and they use hundreds of different grapes.

There’s a red wine for every taste, every dish, and every occasion, from thirst-quenchers costing two bucks to real collector’s items that sell at auctions for thousands of dollars. 

There’s no doubt red wine is one of the most popular drinks on the planet. The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans made it and loved it, and the drink became popular all around Europe soon. Slowly but surely, it became a worldwide phenomenon.

There’s something special about the red-hued drink. It’s celebratory and high-browed, worthy of the finest table, but it’s also fun and laid back, ideal for enjoying with friends at a party. 

Here’s all you wanted to know about red wine, from the different types to its health benefits, from its flavor profile to how to cook with it. 

What is red wine made of?

Red wine is made of red-skinned grapes. The grapes are harvested when ripe; they’re crushed and then fermented with their own skins until the juice becomes wine.

All the color, flavor, and texture in red wine come from the skins, which means the thicker and more pigmented the skins are, the darker and more complex the wine will be.

Red wines can be classified by the grapes used to make them, being the most popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and Malbec.

You can also classify red wine for its provenance, from cold climate regions like Bordeaux or Burgundy in France to warm vineyards in California, South Africa, or Australia.

The weather ultimately determines if a red wine will be bold and full-bodied or light and elegant. Added to that, there’s the famous aging in oak barrels, which adds complexity, aromas, and texture to most red wines. 

Finally, you can classify red wine for its ability to age. 98% of red wines are created to be enjoyed young, someway along its first five years. Other wines are built to last; they’re so rich and concentrated they can unfold for decades, becoming more complex and pleasurable over time. 

What is red wine? As you see, it’s much more than fermented grapes. There’s an enormous array of wine styles, and that’s what makes it so special. No two bottles are alike, and even the same wine will taste different if you open it today or in a week. 

Red wine is all about pleasure, sure, but there are plenty of health benefits associated with it. Here are the most important ones. Remember, talk to your doctor before considering drinking red wine for its health benefits. We are all different, and your body will uniquely react to alcohol. 

What is red wine good for?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about wine’s health benefits, and there have been significant scientific discoveries lately. People living over one hundred years drink red wine often, which contradicts the idea that alcohol is bad for your health. So, what are the benefits of red wine?

Red wine is mostly made of water and alcohol, but there are plenty of other compounds in it, especially tannins, flavonoids, and aromatic precursors. Many of them are good for your health because they are all-natural antioxidants.

Antioxidants bind with free radicals floating in your bloodstream. These scavenger molecules bind with your cells and damage you at a DNA level, causing inflammation and even cancer. That’s why a little wine every day can help you live longer.

Is it OK to drink red wine every day? Yes. Men can drink up to two 5-ounce glasses of wine without being at risk, and women can drink one glass a day. These are the recommended amounts to benefit from wine’s healthy compounds.

What is the best red wine to drink for your health? There is no significant difference between red wines health-wise. Still, to make the most out of its health benefits, you should look for wines high in concentration like the ones made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Tannat, Sagrantino, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, or Tempranillo.

What are the side effects of drinking red wine? Everything comes with a downside, and for wine, that’s alcohol. Too much alcohol can damage your liver and kidneys. Alcohol is a depressant too, so it can make you feel down in the long run. A little wine is okay, but it’s hard for many people to know when enough is enough.

Is red wine bad for your immune system? Wine, or any other alcohol for that matter, does not suppress the immune system. Actually, it might help you keep it in good shape. Abusing alcohol can take a toll on your immune system, though, and many other bodily functions, but moderate consumption is relatively healthy.

Is red wine good for ladies?

Red wine is as good for men as it is for women. The only significant difference is that, since women often weigh less than men, they need to drink less of it. Other than that, red wine is super healthy for ladies unless they’re pregnant or lactating.

Does red wine make you gain weight? Alcohol adds lots of empty calories to your diet, and they’re empty because they come with no nutrients whatsoever. Of course, a little wine can help you feel more satisfied and make you eat less. It’s also good for your gut bacteria, meaning you can absorb nutrients better, helping you achieve your weight goals. 

It comes without saying wine should be enjoyed in moderation, and it must be part of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. Wine alone will not improve your health, but it can certainly help if you do it right. 

What is red wine reduction?

Cooking with wine is tons of fun, being the wine reduction the most widespread use in the kitchen.

A wine reduction is boiled wine, concentrated because of evaporation. The result is a thick, tasty sauce that can improve all sorts of dishes. 

A wine reduction is not the only way of cooking with wine, though. Adding a splash of red wine to your tomato sauce when you’re making pasta is super fun, and you can even make a mild vinaigrette with red wine and olive oil, herbs, and spices.

Which red wine is smoothest? You certainly want to know the difference between full-bodied red wines and smooth wines, especially when cooking with them. Bold wines include Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; for example, they’re grapes that have thick skins. 

Smooth wines come from thin-skin varieties, notably Pinot Noir and Gamay, both French grapes from Burgundy. Their cherry aromas and silken, smooth palates are hard to beat. 

When should you drink red wine before or after food? This is one of the most common questions when it comes to red wine. The answer is simpler than you might think. Drink red wine whenever you please — before, during, and after dinner. As long as you do it responsibly, you can enjoy a proper glass of red at any time of day.

Choose your favorite red wine!

No red wine is better than the others. Each bottle has a unique personality from the grapes, the land, and the very people who make it.

When should I drink red wine? Red wine is a bliss at any time of day. Light-bodied styles like Pinot Noir and Gamay are even great for pool parties. 

Obviously, where red wine shines the most is at the dinner table. How do you drink red wine? With a good steak, especially if your wine has lots of tannins. Other than that, pair your red wine with your favorite food. 

From salmon to roast chicken, red wine is there for you, and it will take your lunch or dinner to exciting places.

The best way of learning about red wine is drinking it, so try something new every time you buy a bottle. Don’t stick with the same old wine you already know you love. 

Exploring new red wine styles and grapes is exciting, and that’s what we want for you, to live the experience; to walk the walk.

You’ll be a wine connoisseur in no time, and not only will you be drinking better and tastier, but your friends and family will too, and how to put a price on that?