Mankind has been enjoying such a drink as wine for more than one millennium. It was used both for pleasure and for medicinal purposes. Nowadays wine is one of the most widespread drinks in many countries of the world.
The process of making red wine has been known to mankind for about 7000 years in countries such as Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Western Asia, Egypt, Rome, Ancient Greece, and European countries. And the recipe was constantly being improved.
Red wine is made from red fruits and berries. Its color ranges from a dark ruby with a purple tint to a juicy garnet with a brownish sheen. It is worth paying attention to the fact that young wines have a darker color than mature ones. This is because the intensity of the color decreases with age. Red grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah (Shiraz), Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Pinotage, Carmenere and Malbec.
An interesting fact is that the juice of red grapes is colorless. The wine takes on a red color thanks to the seeds and the skin of the berries White grapes are added to saturate the color. A special characteristic of wine is the amount of sugar, which determines the type of wine - dry, semi-sweet or sweet.
A quality wine, even red, should be clear. If you can see the texture of the tablecloth through a filled glass, then the wine is of good quality. For young wine, shades of cherry, pomegranate, ruby and purple are acceptable. As the drink ages, its color changes, going from orange to the color of the tiles, or even acquires the color of onion skins.
For example, young Bordeaux wines have a rich ruby color, and the taste range is represented by interesting notes of tobacco, pepper, dried fruits and chocolate.
When choosing a port, be guided by a duller color. After all, a tart grape variety is used for its production. The juice of such grapes is aged in oak barrels for several years. Some types of port mature later in glass bottles (for example, Vintage Character port), so the color of the wine fades, but the taste becomes noble and rich.
When buying wine, pay attention to the following nuances: a bottle of standing wine will never be sealed with a plastic cork, and the label of real red wine contains full information about the producer, place and date of harvest.
Now you know how to choose a quality wine by color. Don't forget that red wines go best with meat and game, and whites go best with fish and seafood. Various cheeses, fruits and light snacks will be a great addition to wine.
