Wine is a type of alcoholic drink that comes in many forms, such as, red wines, white wines, rosés, and sparkling wines. You may think that the difference in red and white wine production is the colour of the grape and you would be correct, however, it also depends on if the skin is kept on or off during production.
Red wines, which is what we will be talking about today, is generally made with a variety of red grapes but with the skins kept on. Red wines have an alcohol content range from 10% to about 14% any higher and it borders on port which is a type of fortified wine.
You may have come across many different red wines, such as Malbec, Merlot, or Rioja these aren't random names that vintner (winemakers) have chosen, they are in fact, a type of grape used in the production of that wine. Wines can also be named based on the region they are produced such as Bordeaux.
In addition, red wines come in three main types, full-bodied, medium-bodied, and light-bodied.
- Full-Bodied wines include; Shiraz, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon and has a much richer,
stronger taste.
- Medium Bodied wines include; Merlot, Rioja, or Zinfandel and has a slightly less rich
taste to it.
- Light Bodied wines include; Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, or Gamay and has a much less strong
taste to it.
If you are new to drinking wine, then a light-medium bodied wine is probably the best to start off with. This will give you a good tasting wine without the full-on flavour and richness which could put you off. Then it is all about experimenting to see which of the different red wines you prefer as each wine has an array of different flavours. You may find that red wine is not for you, and would prefer white or sparkling wines instead or another drink altogether.
Okay, so is red wine good or bad for you?
Red wine is made from red grapes and these grapes contain high amounts of antioxidants that keep our bodies healthy and help to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, grapes are high in fibre (especially if the skin is left on) and they can be great for removing bad cholesterol as well as providing us with healthy bowels. Red wine can also reduce the risk of cancer and even heart disease.
So, overall, red wine can be good for you, HOWEVER, this all depends on the amount you drink. Drinking red wine in moderation and sticking to the <14 units of alcohol per week can give you these health benefits (A 750ml bottle of wine at 13,5% ABV contains roughly 10 units). When you start to drink a lot more than this, the negative effects start to quickly out weight the positive ones. You also have to be-careful of binge drinking, which is where you drink a large amount in one go
Drinking red wine in moderation is good but you have to be very careful, and don't solely depend on this for healthy bodily function.
Make sure to drink responsibly - https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/