Best Crisp White: 2018 Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: New Zealand | ABV: 12.6% | Tasting Notes: Passionfruit, Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Peel, Fresh Grass
Fans of crisp, refreshing whites can never get enough of New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Not only is it always a great value for the price, but it also offers unique and complex flavors and aromas not commonly found in other inexpensive wines.
There is so much going on in this beautiful bottle from Amisfieldit shows vibrant tropical notes of passionfruit, mango, lychee, and papaya alongside zesty grapefruit, lemon, and lime, fragrant honeysuckle and elderflower, and freshly cut grass. Expressive but not overwhelming, it makes a great match with freshly shucked oysters, vegetable dishes or anything with plenty of fresh green herbs.
First Things First Is Drinking Wine Healthy
ICYMI, wine can actually be super beneficial to your health in moderation, says Keri Gans, RDN, author of The Small Change Diet. Red wine in particular has antioxidants, which are known to help reduce inflammation in the body,” she explains. “Those antioxidant properties that red wine has, it may help lower the risk of heart disease.”
That said, Gans reiterates that the health benefits of wine are mostly achieved through moderation. The USDA recommends no more than about five fluid ounces of wine per day, Gans notes, which can look like having a glass of wine with or after your dinner each night.
It does not mean drinking six glasses of wine all at once on a Saturday night, though. You shouldnt say Im just going to hold off on my wine until the weekend to get all my wine intake in, Gans says. That would be considered binge drinking, and there are no benefits to binge drinking.”
The Stoic: Cabernet Sauvignon
Grown in the French region of Bordeaux, the Cabernet Sauvignon is the beloved grape that Americans have loved throughout the years. It was conceived by accidentally breeding a red Cabernet Franc grape plant and the white Sauvignon Blanc. It is a thick grape with a durable skin, which makes it resistant to any outside conflict.
It is a robust variety of red grape with its abundant level of tannins. This allowed the wine to be stored for a long time and still develop its flavor. With proper storing conditions, such as the container where it is stored in to age, it can bring out vibrant flavors. Its flavor profile is full-bodied with an acidity that is compatible for drinking and for meals and is mostly recommended to be sipped alongside food rather than on its own as it has an overwhelming mouthfeel.
Like the Cabernet Sauvignon, you can become quite a strong character, unfazed by conflict but full of wisdom. You are not affected by outside forces and can thrive in solitude. You can easily adapt to new surroundings and can even stand out, given that you are in an ideal situation where your strengths can be cultivated.
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How To Choose A Red Bine For Cooking
- If you choose, go with a dry wine rather than a sweet one, as the residual sugars in the sweet wine will overpower the dish. Second, the type of wine you buy is essential.
- The flavour of a dish will determine which wine is best for cooking. A glass of red wine with moderate tannins and low sugar is best for braising and stewing. A sweeter red is suitable for cooking with desserts. Red wine with moderate tannins will complement the other flavours in the dish. When it comes to red wines, a sweeter one is better for desserts. In addition to this, a dessert is an ideal time to enjoy a glass of sweet and sour food with a glass of dry red wine. Red wine with a high acidity should be avoided if youre preparing a meal that contains a lot of spiciness. It will also add too much salt to the dish, which is why its best for poultry and grilled meat. Nevertheless, its important to remember that red wine is meant for cooking, not drinking. For this reason, it is best to use the right red wine for cooking.
Getting Started With Wine
There really isn’t one type of wine that every single beginner will love. On the other hand, there are many delicious wines for the budding wine enthusiast to give a try before trying heavier or more serious wines. Many factors affect the pleasure beginners take in wine.
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Best Australian Red: Penfolds 2017 Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz
Region: South Australia, Australia | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Black cherries, Cassis, New leather, Fruit cake
Penfolds, unquestionably the greatest winemaking estate in Australia, is best known for its iconic wine, Penfolds Grange. Chief winemaker Peter Gago made it his mission to produce well-structured wines with deep flavors and, as he puts it, a propensity to age.
While Grange is primarily shiraz, with a splash of cabernet sauvignon sourced from specific sites in South Australia, Penfolds’ Bin 389 combines 54% cabernet sauvignon with 46% shiraz and is often referred to as Baby Grange. Plus, this wine comes at a more approachable price tag than the Grange.
Region: Mendoza, Argentina | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Cherry compote, Salty dark chocolate, Cedar spice
Achaval-Ferrer’s Quimera blend is a wine of remarkable precision: Co-founder Santiago Achaval, one of the most respected winemakers in Argentina, and winemaker Roberto Cipresso comb the vineyards, tasting grapes and hand-selecting vines specifically for this blend. In 2014, they conceived a dynamic and complex blend of 50% malbec, 24% cabernet franc, 18% merlot and 8% cabernet sauvignon.
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Spiced plums, Forest underbrush, Cigar box
Good to Know:
Theres A Shade Of Red For Everyone
Once you find the best red wine for your tastes, drinking it is all about fun and enjoyment. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your favorite red wine is always as tasty as possible.
Serving your red wine at the right temperature ensures youll relish every sip as the winemaker intended. Full-bodied reds should be served between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Light and fruity reds should be served a little cooler, typically between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Red wine benefits from decanting, so open a few bottles and allow them to aerate for the best flavors.
While you can drink red wine for any glass your heart desires, some types of wine glasses help to make the flavor even better. Thats because the shape of a glass impacts the finish and nose of the wine. The slightly curved edges of a wine glass prevent your senses from being overwhelmed by ethanol vapors. Use wide-brimmed wine glasses to get the best out of your reds.
Paint the town red with your newfound love of red wines. From velvety Cabernets to punchy Sangiovese wines, youre sure to adore the tastes of this brilliant beverage. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy the company of friends or curl up in your own world with a good book and a cozy blanket.
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Best Light Red: 2019 Marcel Lapierre Vin De France Raisins Gaulois
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: France | ABV: 11.5% | Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Strawberry, Red Cherry, Pomegranate
Most peoples first experience of the gamay grape is with Beaujolais Nouveau, a lighthearted French specialty typically consumed young and usually reminiscent of sweet soda pop. But gamay can make excellent light-bodied, dry reds that strike a fine balance between playful and serious, like this carefree quaffer from renowned late winemaker Marcel Lapierre.
The organic fruit for this wine comes from prime Beaujolais real estate, but the bottling is classified as a French table wine because its made from young vineswhich is part of what makes it so refreshing . Bright, vivid flavors of blueberry, cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, and cranberry make this light, fruity wine remarkably easy to drink.
Is Pinot Noir An Excellent Wine
Pinot Noir is one of the most popular red wines in the world. Its also infamous for being difficult to cultivate. Its created with black-skinned grapes that only grow in a small range of chilly temperatures. It yields lighter-bodied wines with elegance, complexity, and longevity when performed effectively.
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So Which Option Is Better For Me
All of this brings us to the real question: which wine cooler is best for you and your home? The honest answer to that is: it depends.
For example, a compressor cooler is better than a thermoelectric cooler when it comes to keeping wine cold. But the vibration noise of a compressor cooler may be a dealbreaker to some wine lovers.
A dual zone cooler is definitely the best way to cool a more versatile selection of wine. But the cost and space requirements of such a cooler mean that it wont work for everyone.
Ultimately, you must treat this like any other home purchase. Take the time to figure out what fits both your budget and your space. When youre ready, we do have a guide on How To Choose a Wine Cooler Fridge that you can read as well.
Healthiest Wine How To Choose The Best Red Wine For Health
People often wonder what is a good red wine? And since many people today are health conscious, they often ask whether there exists any healthiest wine or not? And moreover, if that does, how would you choose the best red wine for health?
In this article, I intend to touch upon these points only. Here you will learn how can you pick the healthiest red wine, and what would ideally be the best red wine for health. I am sure all you wine lovers will really love this article, since your health is taken care of without compromising on your choices. Isnt it?
But before we move ahead and pick the healthiest wine, lets answer to the question why is red wine good for you.
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Check Out These 4 Low
Make your next trip to the liquor store quick, and grab one of these low-sugar, sommelier-approved picks. (Want sugar-free vino delivered straight to you?
With 0.06 grams of sugar per glass, Fit Vines tart and smooth Cab Sauv is a great bet. specifically make lower sugar wines for wellness-minded people,” Largeman-Roth explains. “The extended fermentation process brings sugar content down to less than a gram per serving.”
An exception to the rule, this spice-forward, low-sugar Zinfandel will win over the most discerning of guests. Full-bodied and powerful, Pedroncellis Mother Clone Zin includes fruit from 110-year-old-vines, yet costs less than you may think, says Azimov.
Earthy and savory, yet with focused fruit character, Ojai Santa Barbara Syrah has only two grams of sugar per liter and is perfect for those looking to steer clear of the jammy styles, Azimov.
Aged in French oak barrels, each bottle of this Chardonnay offers fresh flavor, complete with apple notes. Azimov says it maintains its freshness in part due to its low sugar content .
The bottom line: Whichever low-sugar wine you opt for, remember to stick to one serving at a time in order to avoid a blood sugar rollercoaster.
Matching Characteristics To Types Of Wines
Now that you have reflected on the flavors you enjoy and characteristics of wine you desire, the trick is finding the right wine to provide those features. You know what flavor of wine you want, but where do you find it? Below are eight common types of wine, organized from light and sweet to full-bodied and savory. Weve included a brief description of characteristics and common food pairings for each to get you started on your journey to becoming a wine lover.
1. Riesling
- Light to medium-bodied white wine with lots of fruit flavors, moderate sweetness and high acidity
- Pairs well with chicken, pork, duck, turkey, cured meat and many Thai, Indian, Moroccan, Vietnamese and German dishes
- Light-bodied white wine with mid-level acidity and subtly sweet fruit and floral flavors
- Pairs with salads, poached fish and light or mild cheeses
3. Sauvignon Blanc
- Light to medium-bodied white wine with lots of citrus fruit flavors and a high level of acidity
- Pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, veal, herb-crusted or nutty cheeses and many Mexican, Vietnamese and French dishes
4. Chardonnay
- Medium to full-bodied white wine with plenty of yellow fruit flavors and mid-level acidity
- Pairs well with shrimp, crab, lobster, chicken, pork, mushrooms, cream sauces, soft or nutty cheeses and many French dishes
5. Pinot Noir
6. Zifandel
7. Syrah
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From Other Fruits And Foods
Wines from other fruits, such as apples and berries, are usually named after the fruit from which they are produced, and combined with the word “wine” and are generically called fruit wine or country wine . Other than the grape varieties traditionally used for wine-making, most fruits naturally lack either sufficient fermentable sugars, proper amount of acidity, yeast amounts needed to promote or maintain fermentation, or a combination of these three materials. This is probably one of the main reasons why wine derived from grapes has historically been more prevalent by far than other types, and why specific types of fruit wines have generally been confined to the regions in which the fruits were native or introduced for other reasons.
Mead, also called honey wine, is created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. As long as the primary substance fermented is honey, the drink is considered mead. Mead was produced in ancient history throughout Europe, Africa and Asia, and was known in Europe before grape wine.
Starch
Some UK supermarkets have been criticized for selling “wine based” drinks, which only contain 75% wine, but which are still marketed as wine. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine requires that a “wine-based drink” must contain a minimum of 75% wine, but producers do not have to divulge the nature of the remaining 25%.
Best Ros: 2020 Pratsch Ros
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Austria | ABV: 11.5% | Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Watermelon, Peach, Raspberry
Rosé has been having a moment for a while now, so there are many great options to choose from in a wide range of styles. For beginners, we recommend a light, dry style with lots of fresh, vibrant fruit, like this high-value gem from Austria.
Its made from the zweigelt grape, a locally popular variety that is known for bright berry flavors accented with a hint of black pepper, reminding us a lot of pinot noir. Succulent strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, peach, and pear notes are lifted by vibrant acidity and a hint of hibiscus perfume in this refreshing pink wine that makes a perfect companion to parks, picnics, and pools.
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Best Wines For Beginners: Easy
Starting out in the world of wine can be bewildering. For many, wine is an acquired taste, and uninitiated palates may need to start with lighter wines in order to learn to appreciate the various flavors in the wines before moving forward. Fortunately, some wines are great “break-in” wines that can kick start a lifelong appreciation of this wonderful beverage.
That’s Quite The Variety
Wine comes in all shapes, colors, and flavors. Finding the best wine for the right occasion is a lot easier once you begin to understand the inherent differences between the wines. Where it’s from, what it’s made of, and when to use it differs from wine to wine. Some varieties are also more likely to set off wine allergies than others even if you use a wine aerator decanter, so it’s important to understand the differences. You can even buy a bottle and bring it with you out to eat if you’re okay paying a corkage fee.
Make sure to stay on top of your wine knowledge. One of the best ways to do that is to pick up a book and learn about wine. or look at the most famous wine lists or most popular wine lists in the country. There are all types of wine lists! You should also learn the proper way to handle different wines. Preventing wine oxidation or dealing with bottle shock can help keep you from having a bad day.
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Dessert Or Sweet Wine
There is no constant definition for Dessert or Sweet wine. Mostly, it is because of the character of sweetness itself with the occasion of serving with desserts after the meal. But in some countries such as United Kingdom, people usually drink sweet white wine as an aperitif, before the meal, and sweet red wine to rinse their palate after. Sweet wine can be categorized into Port, Tawny, or Sherry and so on.
Food Pairing: In addition to the dessert, the wine can also be paired perfectly with smoked meat and soft cheese too.
Recommended Wine Glass: It is usually served in a shot, small glass such as LUCARIS Shanghai Soul Grappa or Liqueur glass. In addition, these mentioned glasses are made from crystal, which has many features comparing to conventional glass.
