History

The earliest evidence of red wine production dates back to the Neolithic period, around 6000 BC, in what is now Georgia. From there, the popularity of red wine spread throughout the Mediterranean and into Europe, where it became a staple of daily life. In ancient Greece and Rome, red wine was used in religious ceremonies and was considered a symbol of wealth and social status. Over time, the production and consumption of red wine has evolved, and today it is enjoyed all over the world. Whether you prefer a bold and spicy Cabernet Sauvignon or a light and fruity Pinot Noir, red wine has a rich and complex history that is as varied and interesting as the many different types of wine available today.

How Red Wine is Made

Depending on the style of wine produced, the crafting process varies. The winemaking process involves a few different steps. First, winemakers grow and harvest grape varieties that produce a particular style of wine. Then, they prepare the grapes for fermentation by either leaving the bunches on their stems or removing them, which affects the sweetness of the wine. At this point, they either crush the grapes to make a must (basically grape juice) or leave them in their skins to burst during fermentation; the skins float to the top of the mixture if left on the fruit. After all the preparation, vintners start alcohol production by adding yeast to the must to start fermentation. Wine naturally ferments with yeasts in the air if left alone, so most winemakers inoculate the must and add the yeast of their choosing. The soon-to-be wine gets left alone to ferment for at least ten days although most get left alone for much longer periods. Finally, winemakers begin to clarify the wine by filtering it. Sometimes they move the batch from one container to another to leave unwanted material behind, and at other times they use an actual filter. Regardless of the method chosen, they continue to clarify the wine by adding things like compounds, egg whites or clay that help remove excess yeasts and solids left behind. They then move it into another vessel before aging and bottling the product.

Types of

• Cabernet Sauvignon - A dry, full bodied wine with medium to strong tannins, cabernet sauvignon has been around since the 17th century and is often aged in oak barrels. When grown in northern climates, the underlying tastes vary from bell pepper to mint and cedar backed by a grape cherry like taste. In moderate climates, they produce cherry and black olive notes. In hot climates they can get very overripe “jammy” tastes.
• Merlot - A dark blue, easy drinking, versatile red wine with prominent fruit flavors, merlot typically comes in two styles. The “international style” harvests grapes late in their development for an intense, high alcohol, plum and blackberry taste. The traditional “Bordeaux style” harvests the grapes much earlier, which maintains its acidity and maintains a more red fruit flavoring (cherries and strawberries) with some potential leafy, vegetal notes.
• Zinfandel - Known for its high alcohol content, jammy, candied fruit flavors, and spicy tobacco finish, zinfandel's sweetness depends on the time and climate where vintners harvest the grapes. In colder climates red berry fruit flavors (like raspberry) come through, and in warmer climates blackberry, pepper, and anise flavors arise.
• Syrah/Shiraz - Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia, is a full bodied wine with bold flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and spice. It is particularly associated with the Rhône region of France, but is also grown in other parts of the world, such as Australia.
• Sangiovese - Sangiovese is a medium bodied wine that is the primary grape used in Chianti, a wine from the Tuscany region of Italy. It is known for its flavors of red cherry and tomato, and its high acidity.
• Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir is a light to medium bodied red wine that is known for its delicate flavors and aromas of red fruit, such as raspberry and strawberry. It is a notoriously difficult grape to grow, which makes it a bit more expensive than other red wines.
• Malbec - Malbec is a full bodied wine that is known for its flavors of blackberry, plum, and leather. It is particularly associated with Argentina, where it has become the country's signature grape.