Uncorking the Secrets: What Does Red Wine Taste Like?

Taking a sip of red wine can refresh you after a busy day and cleanse your palate while having food.

Whether you consume the drink at lunch, dinner, or on its own, it can improve your mood.

But what makes red wine so popular and special? Is it the cost, taste, or the way it’s made?

If you haven’t tasted it yet, you may also be wondering what does red wine taste like? Is it sweet, sour, sharp, or pungent?

That’s what we’ll find out today, and by the time you finish reading this short write-up, you’ll have an idea about red wine’s flavor and what to pair it with.

What is Red Wine?

Red wine is an alcoholic beverage produced from crushing and fermenting dark-colored, whole grapes.

It’s one of the oldest drinks, as revealed by archaeological excavations, and can be traced back to as far as 6000 BC.

The trend continues, and it’s one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world.

There are more than fifty types of red wine, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Malbec being the most popular by grape variety.

Italy is the largest producer of red wine, followed by France, Spain and the USA.

Red wines are full, medium or light-bodied, with the first having the highest alcohol level and most complex flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah are full-bodied varieties.

Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese are examples of medium-bodied red wines.

Light-bodied red wines are low in alcohol and high in acidity and lean towards fruit and floral notes.

Examples include Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo and Grenache.

What Does Red Wine Taste Like?

Since red wine comes from grapes, most people who have not tasted it may think it tastes like grape juice.

But it’s far from the truth because most red wines have only a slight hint of grape taste.

Typically, red wine has a sweet and dark taste.

Some varieties are slightly bitter and, in rare cases, salty and spicy.

Any type of red wine can also have a different effect on different individuals since it has a distinct sense of taste.

Red wines are also named after the place where they’re produced, like Bordeaux in France and Chianti in Italy.

Most of these wines are created by blending different grape varieties.

For example, Bordeaux red wine may include cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc.

But there are also many that have only one type of grapes, so two red wines will taste different even if they’re full-bodied and look the same.

Some people prefer sweet, while others may like it to be slightly sour or bitter.

Hence a particular wine may taste too sweet for some, while others may think it’s perfect.

Expert wine tasters believe that the best red wines are those that have an equal amount of sweet, sour and bitter flavors.

If you’re a beginner, swirl the wine in your glass and drink slowly to absorb the taste, texture and feel.

Do you know? Health experts opine that moderate consumption of alcohol can have positive effects on your body as red wine contains many antioxidants, some iron and calcium.

What are the Best Pairings with Red Wine?

Red wine is versatile and you can enjoy it with various foods.

But a specific type of red wine pairs well only with some foods.

Hence, it’s important to know which wine tastes best with which food.

Here are some red wine and food pairings you can serve when hosting a dinner or a grand event at home or elsewhere.

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Juicy red meat matches perfectly with this wine. Try lamb and beef steaks.
• Burgers.
• Cheese like gouda, gorgonzola and aged cheddar.
• Portobello mushrooms.

Merlot

• Chicken, roast duck, turkey.
• Lean beef.
• Roasted veggies.
• Cheese like brie (if your merlot is fruity with less amount of tannins).

Pinot Noir

• Salmon.
• Cheese like brie, gouda, gruyere.
• Mushrooms.
• Lamb chops.

Chianti

• Pasta dishes with tomato and meat.
• Pizza.
• Chickpea/bean soups.
• Pecorino cheese.

Syrah/Shiraz

• Smoky BBQ meats.
• Kebabs.
• Grilled veggies.
• Sausages.
• Cheese like gouda.

Malbec

• Steak.
• Pork.
• Lamb.
• Salmon.
• Cheese like goat cheese, Manchego, gouda .
• Roasted mushrooms .
• Roasted potatoes.

Besides these, there are many more pairings you can choose, so whenever you plan to serve red wine, examine the details and serve the dishes accordingly.

However, it all comes down to personal preference, as a pairing you like may not be preferable to someone else.

But there are also some foods that you must never pair with red wine.

Most veggies in the Brassicaceae family don’t mix well with red wine.

They include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, and turnip.

Asparagus, artichoke, chocolate, soy sauce, also don’t match with red wine.

Conclusion

Red wine is typically sweet but can also be bitter, sour, salty, and spicy.

Some varieties are sweeter than others, so you won’t get the same flavor when tasting more than one wine.

It also depends on an individual sense of taste but there are many options.

If you have just taken an interest in drinking wine, consider the cost, place of production, type of red wine and brand.

You can buy whichever is the most popular or highly recommended by wine experts.