Red wine is an alcoholic drink with a deep red color that comes from dark-colored grapes. To produce red wine, winemakers ferment crushed grapes, including the grape skin. Yeast grows and takes in the natural sugars, converting them into alcohol. The grape skin gives red wine some of its color and flavor.
Tannins, which are a group of naturally occurring chemicals found in plant cells present in wine, form during fermentation and are responsible for the wine’s bitter but pleasant taste.
There is some evidence that drinking red wine may offer health benefits. If you are a nondrinker, health experts do not recommend that you start drinking alcohol. But if you enjoy alcohol in moderation, red wine is worth considering.
Red wine may be healthier than white wine because of the different fermentation processes. Unlike red wine, most white wine is fermented after the grape skins are separated from the mashed fruit and juice. As many of the antioxidants in grapes are in the skin, red wine contains more antioxidants than white wine.
Antioxidants are important for maintaining good health because they protect your cells from damage. The antioxidants found in wine are polyphenols, which are compounds found in plants. One polyphenol in red wine that is of interest to scientists is resveratrol, which may have benefits including protection for your brain, heart, and body.
There is some evidence that drinking red wine may offer health benefits. If you enjoy alcohol in moderation, red wine is worth considering. (Photo credit: EyeEm / Getty Images)
Types Of Red Wine
There are more than 10,000 varieties of wine grapes internationally, including about 50 different types of red wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon. Internationally, this wine comes from the most planted and popular red wine grape. Cabernet Sauvignon is considered to be bold and tannic, with flavor notes including blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, and green pepper.
Merlot. Merlot is similar in flavor to Cabernet but has some additional flavor notes, including plum and mint. It ripens earlier than Cabernet.
Malbec. The flavor of Malbec relies more on tannins, including plum, black cherry, chocolate, and mocha. It is considered to pair well with certain meats such as beef, pork, and bison.
Zinfandel. The California variety of Zinfandel is usually bold, with ripe flavors including blueberry and peach. Try it with barbecue and other meals with richly flavored meat. White Zinfandel is a blush wine made from this type of red wine variety.
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Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir provides various flavors including mushroom, strawberry, and cola. It’s bright and acidic and is lighter in body and color than a lot of other red wines. It is very versatile and goes well with poultry and seafood.
There are also many dessert wines that are made from dried grapes, providing a deep sweetness.
Some varieties of sweet red wine include:
Port. Port wine is made in many different styles, all of which have a higher alcohol level (up to 20%) than other red wines because of the distilled grape spirits that are added during fermentation. Port wines are very sweet, have a lot of flavor, and are full-bodied, so you can sip them alone or pair them with cheese or nutty desserts.
Brachetto d’Acqui. This type of red wine is usually light, effervescent, and slightly sweet and fruity. Try it with spicy or mildly sweet dishes.
Lambrusco. This is a red sparkling wine that can be dry but is usually somewhat sweet and fruity. It has a slightly bitter taste at the end and can go nicely with sausages and other meats and cheeses.
Red Wine Nutrition Facts
One serving of red wine is about 5 ounces. The nutritional value may vary slightly according to the variety. On average, one serving of red wine contains:
Calories: 125
Protein: 0.1 gram
Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Sugar: 1 gram
The bulk of the calories in red wine comes from alcohol, and the remaining calories are from carbohydrates. The carbohydrates in red wine come from the grape skin, seed extract, and leftover sugars from the grapes.
Red wine also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including:
Iron
Calcium
Potassium
Phosphorus
Red Wine Benefits
Some benefits of drinking red wine can be traced to the alcohol itself, so any alcoholic drink used in moderation could have the same effect. Other research into the health benefits of red wine focuses on the particular qualities of red wine, many of which have not been fully explored.
