“Red red wine, you make me feel so fine”. There’s nothing that compares to a good glass of red wine after a long day. For everyone who loves this drink, it just feels like your mouth is being hugged. But, how do we know which red wine is best? There’s no need to be confused anymore. I invite you to our walk through a vast vineyard of red grapes. Let’s smell the grapes and taste the things grapes grow up to be. Red wine that makes you feel so fine?
Pinot Noir
Has anyone said to you, you have to try this wine you will love it. Then after one sip, you can’t wait to spit it out? That’s because it wasn’t right for your palate. Getting a Pinot Noir wine bottle is something I would strongly recommend for everyone craving a smooth and rich drink. It has notes of sweet fruits and sour cherries. Let’s see a few more aspects that make this drink a smooth operator.
Origin
Where does Pinot Noir originate from? Although it’s now produced all over the world, it originated in Burgundy, France. This is not an easy grape to grow. The origins region in France has the best soil for these pinot noir thin-skinned grapes. In addition, it’s a smooth drink because it can be light or complex depending on how long you age it.
How to Drink It
The first step to drinking any wine is to be relaxed. It’s your time, so enjoy each sip. You can drink this bedside, poolside, or in the tub. Pop one open to let it breathe like you would most red wines. This breathing isn’t literal but rather it allows the aromas and flavour of the drink to come to life.
This versatile drink can be sparkling so in those situations it is best served chilled between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius. However, you can chill a dry red pinot if it’s low in tannins (we’ll talk more about those later). Remember chilled, but not chilly. Cool but not frozen. Be sure to refrigerate your pinot noir after you drink because it will go flat.
Shiraz
I bring you to our next popular selection, especially in Australia, Shiraz. This variety of grape is dark-skinned and can be grown easily in the world. Shiraz is also known as Syrah, but down under its called Shiraz
Origin
Many people may think Shiraz is from Australia since it’s so popular. However, you may hear a different story. Some of which are that it originated from a French knight while in Persia, from Iran and so on. But after corroborating the stories all together I can say the French have long held that its origin is there from the Rhone Valley in France. I will leave it to you to decide which story you like best.
How to Drink It
Where it originated isn’t as important as how to enjoy it. Shiraz is best chilled much like a bottle of Pinot Noir wine. Shiraz is high in alcohol with a count of 13–15.5%. Thus when served chilled you will be able to enjoy all the blackberry, espresso, and pepper notes. Keep in mind not to drink it above 18 Celsius as this will ruin the taste of the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Hey, I need a cab! Not the yellow kind. I mean a cabernet sauvignon. This is the old classic of a red with a full body and multiple notes of Red fruits, back fruits, spice, and cedar to make you sing.
Origin
The Cabernet Sauvignon is The world’s most popular red wine grape. It’s a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. This wine is like I said the grandfather of wines. You can’t go wrong with this.
How to Drink It
With 13.5% of alcohol, you don’t want this drink to get too warm or too cold. 14 – 18°C is ideal for a Cab. While you can keep it at room temperature, you’d better serve it slightly colder so people can fully appreciate its superb acidity and mild alcohol content. Allow the Cab to breathe before drinking to be able to embrace all of its flavour profiles.
Merlot
I bring you to our last but certainly, not least wine we will discuss a, Merlot. This decadent red has notes of f ripe plums, violet and tomato leaf. With 14% alcohol and medium body you will be amazed by its longevity as it lingers on your tongue.
How to Drink Merlot
Due to being high in alcohol, you want to let this Merlot breathe. Serving it chilled is the best way to go. The ideal temperature to store is 14℃ and up to 16℃. You can get this temperature with just 15-20 minutes in the fridge.
Which Red Wine Has the Least Amount of Tannins?
Tannins act as a natural antioxidant to protect the wine once the grapes are harvested and produced. This allows them to age so well. The higher the tannins the bitter the wine will taste. The red wine with the least tannins is Pinot Noir.
It’s Time to Grab a Glass
Ok, I have to be honest. I can’t tell you all of the amazing red wines out there. But, I told you a few just to whet your appetite. I encourage you to keep going and try, Malbec, Montepulciano, Graciano, and Rosso Veneto to name a few. I am certain the more confidence you gain in your red wine selections the more your life will feel so fine.