Red vs. White: Weighing Your Wine Preferences

At a glance, red wines and white wines are different: the telltale color immediately gives them away. However, whether you've been drinking wine for years and you want more information about the best pairing for specific dishes, or you're new to wine drinking and want to understand the difference between them, Joe Canal’s of Lawrenceville, NJ guide below can help you learn more.

Red vs. White: The Making

Generally, red wine is made from red grapes, while white wine is made from white grapes (though there are some exceptions to that rule). However, the color of the grape isn't the only difference. During the fermentation process, white wines will have the skin of the grapes removed, while red wines will leave it in place. In the case of seeded grapes, they will also remain on the grape during the red wine fermentation process. Due to the lack of skins, white wine is often sweeter than red wine.

Note, however, that a special process has recently been introduced that allows the production of white wines by fermenting the skins and seeds of white grapes. These wines, known as orange wines, are similar in taste to red wines.

Does Including the Skin Make Red Wine Healthier?

Red wine features several health benefits not found in white wine, due to the higher concentration of antioxidants in the skins of red wine grapes. These benefits include:

• Improved HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol)
• Decreased LDL cholesterol levels (the bad cholesterol)
• Better heart health
• Reduced risk of blood clots
• Decreased risk of some types of cancers

Red wines, as a rule, contain more polyphenols, resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins, all of which can help create the antioxidant effects many wine drinkers are looking for.

Red and White Wine: The Flavors

Red wines are known for two very different types of flavors. Most often, red wines have velvety, rich flavors, while white wines are more likely to have fruity, floral notes and a purer taste. Again, the difference is in the making: red wines are often oxidized and matured in oak barrels, which allows the wine to breathe and pick up flavors from the barrel and other ingredients introduced during the fermentation process. White wines, by contrast, are typically matured in stainless steel tanks.

What Do Red Wines Pair Best With?

Generally, red wines are best paired with meats that have equally bold flavors. If you're having a dish with red meat, from a steak to a roast, you may find that red wine is the best fit for your meal. They also balance better with heavy fats and flavors. You may also want to take your sauce into consideration when selecting red wine: a heavy sauce may also go better with a red than a white.

What Do White Wines Pair Best With?

White wines, because of their more subtle flavors, pair best with lighter meats: usually fish and chicken. However, in some cases--especially if you're using a heavy sauce in your dish--you may find that a red wine is a better choice. Many people also find that pork dishes also pair better with white wines than red.

Visit Joe Canal’s for Red and White Wine

Choosing the right wine can make a huge difference in your meal or help set the stage for your evening. Visit Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, NJ to browse our wide selection of both red and white wines.