Red Wine and White Wine
by: Tracy Crowe
I have been wondering about the difference between red wines and white wines.
To me, they taste quite different. Red wines are heavier and more complex than
white wine, and often tend to be less sweet. Why is this? Actually red and white
wines are made quite differently. The differences between red and white wines
include the kinds of grapes used, the fermentation and aging process, and the
character and flavor of the wine.
White wines are almost always made from white grapes, although they can be made
from black grapes, since the juice in most black grapes is clear. When white
wine is made, the skins of the grapes are separated from the juice when they are
put into a crushing machine. Then yeast is added to the juice for fermentation,
until the juice becomes white wine. After filtering etc, the wine is aged by
storing it in stainless steel or occasionally oak containers and bottled after a
few months. White wines, then, are made without skins or seeds and are
essentially fermented grape juice. They have a light character and have crisp
fruit flavors and aromas. They can be sweet or dry or somewhere in between.
Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio/ Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are all
white wines.
Red wine is usually made from red or black grapes, although all the kinds of
grapes usually have a clear juice. The process of making red wine is different
from the one of making white wine. After the grapes have been in the crushing
machine, the red grapes with their skins and everything sit in a fermentation
vat for a period of time, typically about one to two weeks. . The skins tend to
rise to the surface of the mixture and form a layer on top. The winemaker
frequently mixes this layer back into the fermenting juice (which is called
must). After fermentation is over, the new wine is taken from the vat. A little
"free run" juice is allowed to pour and the rest of the must is squeezed into
"press wine". The wine is clarified and then is stored, usually in oak
containers, for several months until it is ready to be bottled. The oak
containers add additional wood tannins and flavors to the wine which help to
intensify it and add richness to it. The result of this process is that red
wines exhibit a set of rich flavors with spicy, herby, and even meaty
characteristics. Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Noir and
Zinfandel are all red wines.
The main difference between red and white wines is the amount of tannins they
have. Since tannins largely come from the grape skins, red wines have more of
them than white wines. Red wine acquires it's tannins in the process of
maceration (leaving juice to mix together with the skin, seeds and woody bits).
It is the tannins and skins of the red grapes which are released into the wine
that contribute to the deep color and flavor of red wine. Tannins have a
slightly bitter taste and create a dry puckery sensation in the mouth and in the
back of the throat; and often lend a wonderful complexity to red wine. They also
help preserve the wine. This is why red wines are usually aged longer than white
wines.
There are as many different flavor profiles among red wines as there are among
white ones. Some red wines are sweet and fruity, while some whites ( such as
Chardonnay) have tannins from being stored in oak containers. Some German white
wines have lasted for centuries, while some red wines are made for immeadiate
consumption. For wines meant for consumption right away the winemaker takes out
the bitter tannins, creating a fruity, fresh, and approachable wine. So, apart
from the color, there are no hard and fast rules about the differences between
red and white wine.
Is it true that red wine is better for you? The research of Dr Frankel has shown
that red wine contains more antioxidants than white wine, although the total
amount varies according to the variety of grape, region it was grown, the
climate and soil it was grown in, and whether it was stored in oak (since wines
stored in oak have more antioxidants) and the filtration techniques used.
However the antioxidants in white wine are apparently more effective. The
research of Dr Troup shows that the antioxidant molecules in white wine are
smaller and thus more effective because they can be more easily absorbed. It
seems that white wine is just as healthy as red wine.
In summary, the primary difference between red and white wine is the amount of
tannins they contain, although there are no hard and fast rules about the
differences between them outside of the color of the wine. Usually red wines are
more complex, richer, and heavier, with spicy, herby, and even meaty
characteristics. White wines are usually sweeter, and lighter, and have crisp
fruit flavors and aromas. Neither is significantly better for you. Which wine is
best for you to drink is simply a matter of taste.
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