The Difference Between Red And White Wines.

An occasional glass of wine is an nice way to wrap up your day, or it makes a nice accompaniment to a meal. You probably have your favorites, you've probably tried several varieties of red and white wine. But what is the real difference between reds and whites. Obviously the color is different, but the differences go deeper than that.

Red wines and white wines can be either dry or sweet, depending on how much of the sugar has been converted to alcohol during fermentation. But taste a glass of white wine, and a glass of red, and you'll notice a difference. The red wine, in general, will be more complex, and more robust than the white wine. In the red wine, there are additional layers of flavor that don't exist in white wine. This difference has to do more with the fermentation process than with the grapes themselves.

The primary difference between reds and whites is the fermentation process. With white wines, after the grapes are pressed, the grape stems, seeds, and skins are separated from the grape juice. When making red wines, the stems, seeds, and skins are left in the juice during the fermentation process. Because of this, tannins are released into the juice. These tannins are the components that give the reds their full bodied flavor and complexity.

Tannins are plant compounds present in the bark of trees, some leaves, and grapes. If you've ever drank a strong cup of tea, you'll notice a bitter, astringent taste. This is caused by tannins. These tannins are present in the stems, seeds, ans skins of the grapes, and are released into the grape juice during the fermentation. The tannins react with proteins, and help to prevent the wine from oxidizing as it ages. Since white wines are usually not aged as long as reds, the tannins aren't necessary. But with the longer aging of red wines, the tannins help the wine to mature properly. The tannins also provide another layer of flavor and complexity. As the wine ages, the tannins mellow out, and blend with the wine, losing most of their astringency.

Whether you prefer a full-bodied red, or a light and fruity white wine, choose whatever you want to accompany your meals, or to relax at the end of a hard day.