Wine is a product of fermented grape juice. Before the fermentation process, grapes are handpicked and crushed together to be stored in large vats. The natural sugars present in the grapes during the fermentation process, produce alcohol. Many winemakers like to add yeast, so they have more control over the fermentation process.
Whether you’re a fan of white wine or red wine, it’s all about the taste you prefer of the natural wine in your glass and the aroma. But the differences between the two go far beyond what color they are and since we’re already on the topic of color, let’s start with that.
The Color
Most people naturally assume that red wine is made from red grapes, and white wine is made from white grapes, which is quite inaccurate, red wine is actually made from blue grapes. Any and all types of grapes used to make red wine are blue, more or less. The few grape varieties with slight red skin are the ones that are used to make white wine.Vinification Process
The vinification or winemaking process is different for both white and red wine. It’s quite simple when it comes to white wine. The grapes are handpicked and selected carefully after which they are pressed. The juice and nectar that oozes out are known as a must. This must is then put in barrels to be fermented and then turned into delicious white wine.You must have made a guess by now that if you repeat this same careful process with blue grapes, you will get red wine instead but that, surprisingly, is not true at all.
The juice, from even the darker grapes, is actually clear but the characteristic red color of red wine comes from the skins of the grapes. So when red wine is being made, the grapes are crushed and mashed together to create a rough pulpy substance. This mash is then fermented, which allows the colorants from the skin and the main pulp to be released slowly and transferred to the main liquid. The process of pressing to get the liquid to ooze outcomes after the fermentation process has been completed.
Different Methods
Red wines are adored for the rich and soft flavors they have with a very light velvety touch while all white wines contain a big punch of zesty fruit notes and intense floral aromas. To achieve this intricate difference in the two wines, winemakers choose two different methods in their process, and the biggest difference in the two is the very simple process of oxidation. Oxidation allows the wine to be oxidized that makes it lose its very fruity and floral aroma and instead give it a nice nutty flavor added with extra rich smoothness.To ease the proper oxidation of the wine, winemakers use barrels of oak because these barrels allow proper breathing that fill the wine with oxygen. Consequently, in order to reduce the oxygenation winemakers find that tanks of stainless steel work perfectly that help retain the floral aroma and fruity taste of the wine.
Health Benefits
Since red and white wines are primarily made from fresh and natural grapes, they contain many health benefits of the grapes if not all. During the fermentation process, many benefits of the fruit are lost, but white wine is famous for being known for improving diseases of the lung and the heart.While white wine helps prevent heart diseases, red wine isn’t too far behind either. Red wines do share many of the white wine’s health benefits, but since they are made from more of a pulpy mixture containing grape skin, they are packed with antioxidant properties. One of the most famous antioxidants found in red wine is resveratrol. Resveratrol has a very positive effect on the blood vessels and helps eliminate the presence of any clots. They also help in the natural repair process of the body.
One other important component found in red wine is polyphenol. Polyphenols are beneficial in lowering not only your blood pressure but also your cholesterol levels. They also fight harmful bacteria to keep your stomach healthy and make your immune system stronger.
Other than the presence of flavonoids and antioxidants, both wines have a very soothing and calming effect. If taken in measured quantities, wines can help you relax in stressful situations.
Nutritional Value
White wines contain fewer calories than red wine, but red wine is packed with more vitamins and antioxidants that white wine lacks. In terms of nutrients, red wine has a definite edge over white wine.Taste Categories and Types
There can never be only one type of red wine or white wine. Both are distributed into different taste categories and types. White wine consists of earthy tones, unoaked whites, aromatic and oaky whites.- Earthy tones are more on the dry side that can be unoaked or very likely oaked. Mâcon and some other French wines consist of this taste profile.
- Unoaked white wines are very light and crisp in flavor that contains no sweetness or oaky flavor. They are famous in Italy (like Soave and Chablis)
- Aromatic, from the name, suggest that they are packed with flavor and floral aromas. Many German white wines fall in this category like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc
- Most Chardonnays and a few French wines make up the rich oaky white category of the white wines.
Red wines, on the other hand, are mostly centered on their presence or lack of their fruitiness with a hint of spicy accents. The taste that is left in the wine depends on how long the winemaker allows the skin to remain intact with the main pulp of the grape. This gives it its characteristic tannic and firmer touch.
