Everything you Need to Know about Red Wine – Special DIY Recipes and Cocktails

Move over apples, doctors are now changing their mantra, a glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away. How can a glass of wine, looked down upon by most health enthusiasts till now, be elevated to the status of a wonder drink? New research has substantiated the fact that red wine is indeed a miracle drink, consisting of an ingredient called resveratrol in the skin and proanthocyanidin in the seed. So why should you give so much importance to these? They are antioxidants, which help protect the body’s cells against free radical damage, a type of oxidative stress, which can be a precursor to diseases like heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

What is Red Wine and What are its Origins?

Red wine was first produced by the fermentation process sometime around 6000 BC, mainly in Georgia (in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia) and in Iran. Red wine has a chequered and a fascinating past, chiefly since red wine itself can be categorized primarily into 6 main types of red grape varieties which help the continuing development of this much loved fruity, sweet and dry alcoholic beverage.

Dark-colored grapes are fermented and then crushed to make red wine. There are many types of red wine, which vary both in taste and color. The popular varieties include Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Pinot noir and Zinfandel. The alcohol content is not very high; it ranges from just about 12-15%.

Instead of going overboard in sipping on red wine, one can consume it in moderate amounts to derive its maximum benefits. The benefits of drinking red wine are largely due to the fact that it is full of anti-oxidants.

Different Kinds of Red Wine

Looks like the French have been right all along! They consume a lot of saturated fats and cholesterol and cannot think of rounding off a meal without the ubiquitous glass of wine, yet they live a relatively healthier life. The reason is maybe because they consume a lot of red wine. There are dozens of different ways in which wine can be classified. At the most basic level, wine can be broken down into two kinds; dry and sweet.

Dry red wines are the ones with low amounts of sugar, whereas sweet red wines have slightly higher amounts of sugar to raise its sweet quotient. Most people will prefer a particular kind of wine over the other and won’t be very experimental when picking out their wine. However, your perception of taste when it comes to wine has to be considered before buying a wine.

Syrah (or Shiraz):

• (Shiraz) Syrah and Shiraz are two names for the same variety. Europeans only use the name Syrah. Syrah is planted in California, Australia and also in France’s Rhone Valley.

• The aromas and flavors of Syrah resemble that of blackcurrant with a bit of black pepper spice and roasting meat. You can pair this wine with meat like steak, beef, wild game and more. The Shiraz variety is brilliant red in color. Both, the average and rarest kinds of wines can be made from Shiraz; the color is deep, dark and clearly the finest.

Merlot:

• Pronounced as ‘mer-low’, it is one of the easiest wines to drink. It is relatively mild and even first time drinkers can enjoy it. The muted tones will not scald the unused throats of people new to red wine.
• It is available in the Bordeaux blend, but is now also grown in Italy, Romania, California, Chile, Washington State and so on. Merlot is pretty aromatic and can remind you of a blend of blackberry, plums, and herbal flowers. It can be had with anything; such is the versatility of the wine.

Cabernet sauvignon:

• Pronounced as Ca-burr-nay so-vin-yaw, it is widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties. Blended with cabernet franc and merlot, it should undergo oak treatment to get the perfect taste.
• If you want to pair with a particular kind of food, then red meat suits it just fine. The places where it is grown are the Medoc wines of France, as well as Australia, Chile, and California. The taste is rather all-encompassing and at first, can be quite overwhelming.

Malbec:

• It is pronounced as Mal-bek, known for its plump dark fruit flavors and smoky finish. If you are unable to splurge on wines, then you can settle for Malbec wine as it offers a more affordable alternative to the higher priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
• You can pair it right with all kinds of meat-based meals and Foie Gras. Argentine Malbec is best paired with Mexican, Cajun, and Indian dishes, so if you are comfortable about pairing your wine with heavy foods, then you can totally go for Malbec.
• Malbec hails from in the French Bordeaux region. It is grown as côt in the Loire Valley and Auxerre is in Cahors. Malbec is also known as médoc noir or pressac again in France. Malbec is particularly popular in Argentina and is widely grown there. It is also available in Chile, in Australia, and in the cooler places in California.
• The taste of Malbec depends on where it is grown and the climate lends its distinctive taste and aroma to the grapes. It has a fruity or a berry like flavor à la berries, plums and spice. The color is rich and very easy to drink.
• Malbec is often blended with other varieties of wines like cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot to concoct Bordeaux style wines.

Pinot noir:

• Pronounced pee-know-na–wahr, these wines are pale in color, translucent and have very subtle flavors. The grape itself is very weak, bearing the brunt of a variety of diseases and its genetics are such that it is highly susceptible to mutation. Despite the difficulty in growing this variety, prices are rather steep, and you will be surprised to know, that when compared to other wines, it is pretty expensive.
• You can have it with grilled salmon, lamb, chicken, and Japanese dishes like sushi rolls.
• It is usually grown in Austria, California, New Zealand and Oregon.
• The structure of the wine is delicate and fresh, but the level of polyphenols is low. It is pretty aromatic and reminds you of cherry, strawberry, and plum, and there is a strange mingling of scents like damp-earth, worn leather or tea-leaf.

Zinfandel:

• (Zin-fan-dell) is perhaps the world’s most versatile wine grape, ranging from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy reds. It is found in California, but originates from Italy, where it is known as a primitive wine. Zinfandel
• It can be paired with tomato sauce, pizza and barbecued and grilled meats. The food pairings largely depend on the freshness or heaviness of the wine.
• The taste of the wine is pretty zesty and the taste is a combination of berry and pepper.

Sangiovese:

• Pronounced as (San-gee-oh-ve-zee), the Sangiovese grape is quite a chameleon; changing its innate features to adapt to the environment. There are varied kinds available all over Italy, which result in very different tasting wines. The aroma is pretty enticing, combining delicate floral strawberry aromas of Montefalco Rosso to the intensely dark and tannic wines of Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese wine suits everyone.
• Sangiovese produces the Chiantis of Italy’s Tuscany region and recently, good wines from California as well. The taste is not too overwhelming, and it infuses fresh berry and plum flavors.
• Sangiovese can be paired well with strong Tuscan pecorino cheese, game meats, steak and gnocchi with sage and butter sauce.
• It hails from Italy and is widespread in California. The fruit is a combination of luscious black cherry and plum. It has a silky texture and a superb acidity as well.

7 Health Benefits of Red Wine

Many of us like to party nursing a red wine, quietly watching the proceedings from a corner. Besides oozing quiet sophistication, the red wine is also a fabulous way to de-stress. Apart from all that of course, there are ample health benefits of red wine. There are numerous other benefits too, as it is not only a great way to slim down your waistline but also take care of your health in the best way possible. So, flaunting a glass of expensive red wine definitely has its perks.

1. It lowers your cholesterol:

High fiber grapes like Tempranillo, which are used to make certain red wines like Rioja, have a considerable impact on cholesterol levels. So what impact does excess amount bad cholesterol have on your health? Excess LDL gets deposited in arterial walls and end up forming plaque, which causes arteries to harden up and blood pressure to escalate, which lead to heart attacks.

2. It protects your heart:

The polyphenols present in anti-oxidant rich red wines can keep the blood vessels flexible and prevent clotting too, but it does not mean you can drink excessively. As with everything else, moderation is the key, even when it comes to drinking your favored glass of fruity red wine.

3. Keeps the blood sugar levels in check:

The resveratrol found in the skin of the red grapes may help regulate your blood sugar levels efficiently. It is said that resveratrol helps keep a check on blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion and activates a protein that stops those sudden blood sugar level spikes.

4. Keeps cold and cough at bay:

If you keep hitting on the sick button, then a glass of red wine with its fresh dose of anti-oxidants can help you stay healthy and give your immunity a major boost. The influx of antioxidants can keep your cells robust and combat free radicals. Free radicals have multiple ill effects on the body, like causing cancer and other chronic diseases.

5. Anti-cancer:

There are many studies which show promising evidence that the effect of resveratrol can stop the proliferation of cancer cells right in their tracks. Scientists have discovered that resveratrol snubs the action of a cancer-feeding protein and hence can snuff the life out nascent cancer cells.

6. Boost your brainpower:

If you keep your brain sharp by solving a lot of puzzles and Scrabble, boost your efforts by downing a glass or two of red wine. The resveratrol inhibits the formation of beta- amyloid; a protein that is found in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer’s.

7. Get Slim:

Now who wouldn’t like to get slim by sipping on a glass of red wine? Does it sound too good to be true? But there is evidence galore to prove that it can help you stay slim and lose pounds around your waist. It is all because of piceatannol, the chemical compound our body converts from resveratrol, which helps you keep off the excess pounds. Piceatannol sticks to the insulin receptors of fat cells, mainly blocking the road required for immature fat cells to grow.

Use Red Wine to Enhance the Flavors of your Dishes

So you think that red wine can only be sipped and cannot be a part of your exotic meal? Well, think again! You can use red wine for cooking in more ways than one. Bring out your exotic ingredients and you will realize cooking wonders never cease to happen with a little bit of innovation and enthusiasm. Red wine can be used to marinate red meat and game dishes and is a must include ingredient in many stews, braised dishes, and casseroles. It works well with many herbs and spices, from thyme and oregano to chilies and paprika. It is less suited to cream- and yoghurt-based sauces.Lentil Stew with Red WineLentil Stew with Red Wine

1. Lentil Stew with Red Wine

Your boring meals can get a culinary makeover with the help of the best red wine for cooking. It can look exotic and taste divine, just by using red wine to enhance the flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 ounces Spanish chorizo sausage, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 1/4cups brown lentils, washed and drained
• 1cup dry red cooking wine, such as Pinot Noir
• 2 1/2cups chicken broth
• 5 small oranges
• 1teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3cup chopped fresh dill

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook for 5 minutes or until just browned on both sides. Put the pan aside
2. Sauté the onion over medium heat for 5 minutes or until they become pliant and glassy. Add the garlic and cook for about a minute. Add the lentils and cook over high heat for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the wine and simmer until almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add the broth. Start boiling, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are quite tender.
3. Meanwhile, juice the 2 oranges. Remove the peel and pith from the remaining oranges and slice the flesh into 1/4-inch rounds. Add the chorizo to the lentils and blend in the orange juice. Season with the salt and pepper. Remove from heat and gently fold in the dill and orange rounds.

2. Coq-au-vin

Essentially, a French dish braised with red wine, mushrooms and garlic, it is as exotic as it sounds; and is also one of the most popular dishes in the world. This recipe also helps you derive the best out of red wine nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 ounces’ small cremini or white mushrooms
• 1 ^3/4-ounce package garlic-and-herb salad-dressing mix (such as Good Seasons)
• 1 cup frozen small onions (such as Birds Eye), thawed
• 1 cup red cooking wine
• ½ cup canned chicken broth (such as Swanson Natural Goodness)
• 12-pound cooked chicken breast (such as Tyson) or 1 chicken cooked and cut into 2 breasts and 2 legs (discard backbone)

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large oven-safe casserole over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until it is browned, do it for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Add the salad dressing mix and onions and toss to coat the salad evenly. Stir in the red wine and broth and cook until it is blended. Add the chicken. Cover it up and then slowly reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, turning pieces halfway through.
3. Remove the chicken and vegetables. Increase heat to high and boil the sauce until the consistency thickens and reduces. Pour over the chicken.

3. Roasted Rhubarb

You can use dry red wine in this dish. You can get toasted and crisp rhubarb by baking at home. Get this spiffy exotic dish ready for your loved ones at home, or welcome your guests with this dish.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pound rhubarb cut into ½” pieces
• ⅓ Cup dry red wine
• ⅓ Cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon koshers salt
• ½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

Crumble and Assembly:

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ Cup chopped macadamia nuts
• ⅓ Cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ⅔ Cup chilled heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1-pint vanilla ice cream
• 1-pint lemon ice cream or sorbet

Method:

For the roasted rhubarb:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Blend the rhubarb, wine, granulated sugar, and salt in an 8×8” baking dish, scrape in seeds from vanilla bean, and toss to combine; discard the pod. Roast, tossing halfway through, until rhubarb is very tender but not falling apart for 25–30 minutes; let it cool.
2. You can keep the Rhubarb roasted 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

For the crumble and assembly:

1. Add flour, macadamia nuts, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
2. Using your fingers, work the butter into flour mixture until mixture holds together when squeezed. Break up into small lumps and scatter onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, tossing halfway through, until crumble turns golden brown, for about 15–20 minutes. Let it cool.
3. Beat cream in a small bowl to soft peaks and whisk in powdered sugar.
4. Scoop vanilla and lemon ice cream into glasses and top with roasted rhubarb, whipped cream, and crumble.
5. You can make the crumble 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight jar at room temperature.

4. Chicken Sangria

Expensive red wine can upgrade the look and taste of a regular dish manifold. The combination of chicken and dry red wine is surely a match made in heaven. This dish combines the simplest of herbs and spices to make a wonderful delicacy.

Ingredients:

• 1 small orange
• half lemon
• 125ml red wine
• 4 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 24 green olives
• 2 tbsp. capers in vinegar drained
• 1 tbsp. pickling vinegar (from the capers)
• 4 bay leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2kg chicken legs (about 8 whole legs, including thigh and drumstick)
• 2 Tbsp honey or light brown sugar

Method:

1. Cut the orange and lemon into thin slices. Remove the pips. Do the same with the lemon half.
2. In a large bowl, combine the orange and lemon slices with wine, olive oil, vinegar, olives, capers, caper pickling liquid, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper and honey. Make sure that it is well blended.
3. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well in the liquid to ensure that they are well-coated in the marinade.
4. Cover with Clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or let them stay put inside a fridge overnight.
5. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.
6. Spread the chicken legs out in a large baking dish, (skin-side up). Pour all of the marinades over the chicken.
7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Baste every 15 minutes or so.

5. Dark Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Glaze

The rich chocolate cake is highlighted perfectly by blending it with a red wine glaze. The bitter rich flavor of the chocolate is blended perfectly with the sweetness of the red wine.

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao), chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• Glaze and assembly:
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao), finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup red wine (such as Pinot Noir)
• Special equipment: A 9″ spring form pan

Method:

For cake:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly butter and flour pan. Heat chocolate, sugar, and 1 cup butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring, until chocolate is almost completely melted, for about 3 minutes; remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Let cool completely.
2. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, add eggs to chocolate mixture 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Beat until mixture has a mousse-like consistency. Reduce speed to low and add salt and 1/3 cup flour; mix until smooth. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top.
3. Bake cake until top is firm and edges are slightly darkened, for 55–65 minutes (rely on visual cues; a tester inserted into cake’s center will come out clean before the cake is truly done). Transfer pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely in pan before turning out.

For glaze and assembly:

1. Heat chocolate, butter, and salt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water) stirring, until chocolate and butter are melted, for about 5 minutes. Whisk in powdered sugar.
2. Meanwhile, bring wine just to a boil in a small saucepan.
3. Remove the chocolate mixture from heat and whisk in wine; let cool until slightly thickened and a rubber spatula leaves a trail in the mixture when stirring, which should be about 8–10 minutes.
4. Set cake on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over cake and spread it across the top and over the edges with an offset spatula. Let cake stand at room temperature until glaze is set, for 2–3 hours.

Should You Drink Wine Every day?

We have already discussed the manifold benefits of red wine. A glass of red wine to wind up a tiring day, how wonderful is that? But haven’t you heard the saying that too much of a good thing can be bad? So how do you maintain that fine balance of just stopping short of indulging in too much of your preferred glass of vin de table? As Plato said quite aptly, “Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was every granted by the gods to man.” Now the bad news, too much of this enticing liquid can raise your levels of blood pressure and cause various kinds of cancer.

So what exactly should be the right amount? It should preferably be a glass of wine with your dinner. In a study, people who drank wine after dinner increased their levels of good HDL cholesterol and had a beneficial cholesterol ratio.

You need to be wary of the calories of red wine, and also sip on the right kind of wine to imbibe its benefits. Uncorking a bottle of pinot noir, sharing it with your family and pairing it with a healthy dinner is the best way to consume red wine. We think that the Mediterranean way of eating and drinking, which is high in vegetables and fish and lower in meat, with fruit for dessert and using olive oil is the best way to have your glass of Chianti. Having it with your friends and family in comfortable settings is one of the best ways to derive its benefits and also foster health and happiness.

Calories in Red Wine

If you are trying to lose weight, does red wine fit into your scheme of things? This is something we would all like to know, as alcohol has a bad rap. With 7 calories per gram, the number of calories in alcohol would come immediately after calories in fat, which is 9 cells/g.

So, in a 175-ml glass, there is 133 K/cal, in a 250ml glass of red wine there is 190 K/cal. A full bottle contains a good 570 K/cal. Just reiterating the fact that moderation is the key, too much of it can result in an expanding waistline.

Wine is indeed fattening, but so is the burger you had as a part of your weekend binging or the spoonful of mayonnaise you had with your boiled potato. The trick is to choose well, and incorporating wine into your daily diet definitely has some benefits. But it should be part of a varied diet, one that has a lot of fruits and vegetables. So, don’t worry too much about red wine carbs, instead exercise and give up on foods which do more harm to you than good.

A few Red Wine Cocktails to Sip On

You already know a lot about popular red wine names. It is time to blend a few spirits and get the taste of some wonderful cocktails. Sometimes, concocting some yummy cocktails can seem more interesting than pouring straight from the bottle. These cocktail recipes can jazz up any dull day.

1. Fruit Punch Cocktail

This cocktail can be an invigorating addition to a cozy party at your home. It is not too difficult to concoct, so it’s a must must have on your party’s menu.

Ingredients:

• Juice of 1/4 lemons
• Juice of 1/4 oranges
• 1 tsp. powdered sugar
• Burgundy wine

Method:

1. Shake juice of lemon, juice of an orange and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a highball glass. Add two ice cubes, fill with burgundy, and stir well. Decorate with various fruits and serve.

2. The UK Sour

This is an easy drink to sip on, especially during the cold months of winter. The blend of cinnamon lemon juice, red blend wine, and scotch churns up a delectable concoction, quite a chameleon of varietals.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Highland Park 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
• 1/4 ounce Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur
• Float of red wine

Method:

• Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice
• Shake and strain into a rocks glass
• Float with red wine

3. Spiced Sangria

This is a perfect winter drink, to nurse within the cozy comforts of your living room, warming up any confabulations with ease. It is fruity, flavorful and a favorite among all wine drinkers.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 cup Jagermeister Spice Liqueur
• 2 cups PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries
• 2 cups fresh pomegranate arils (about 2 pomegranates)
• 1 1/2 cups cranberry pomegranate juice
• 1 cup club soda
• Mulling Spices
• Method

Method:

One Week Ahead:

1. Mix the wine and liqueurs in a pitcher.
2. Add the fruit, cover and let sit for 3-7 days.
3. When It’s Time for the Party:
4. Boil cranberry juice and club soda in a small saucepan.
5. Add a sachet of mulling spices and allow sitting hot for 15-30 minutes. If that isn’t enough spiciness for you, you can also add a sachet to the finished pitcher for extra flavor.
6. Pour cooled, mulled juice mix into the original pitcher and stir to combine.

4. The Xalapa Punch Rum Cocktail

Whatever red wine brands you may choose, this punch rum cocktail is a wonderful change from your regular cocktails. Frizzy, flavored and refreshing, it is definitely a party starter.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups hot black tea
• 1 cup honey or sugar
• 1 quart amber rum
• 1-quart apple brandy
• 1 quart dry red wine
• Oranges and lemons

Method:

1. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the hot black tea and rind of two oranges (grate with carrot peeler or cheese grater).
2. Heat for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
4. Add the honey or sugar and stir until dissolved.
5. Pour into a punch bowl with ice.
6. Add the amber rum, apple brandy, and dry red wine.
7. Garnish with diced oranges and lemons.

5. Red Wine Swirl Margarita

This drink is a blend of different flavors, which gives it an invigorating twist. It definitely wakes up your taste buds in the best way imaginable.

Ingredients:

• 2 ^1/4 ounces of Xicaru Mezcal
• 1 ounce Blanco tequila
• 1/2 ounce triple sec
• 1 ^1/4-ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce apple shrub
• 1 ^1/4-ounce agave nectar
• Sweet red wine
• Salt and dehydrated apple powder for rimming

Method:

1. Begin by preparing a tall glass with a mixture of salt and dehydrated apple powder or salt alone on the rim.
2. Pour the ingredients (except the wine) into a blender with 2 cups of ice.
3. Blend until smooth and pour into the prepared glass.

How Do You Store Red Wine?

Wines taste better with age, so the older it is, the more complex flavors you can taste; like a blend of chocolate, licorice and leather. That brings us to the question of how to store red wine. If you do want to preserve the exquisite taste of your merlot or any other wine, you need to be careful of how you store it. Check out the various ways you can store red wine after opening.

• Re-cork the wine right- Yes, after you open the bottle you need to be careful to re cork it right so that you are able to keep the aromas and flavors intact. Put the stained side of the wine as it was, to preserve exactly the same taste as you experienced the first time.
• Use half bottles- Transfer the residual liquid to another small bottle with the help of a funnel, so that there isn’t a lot of air to impact its taste and texture.
• Put it in the refrigerator- As soon as you drink a little bit of the wine from the coveted bottle; put it in the refrigerator, to preserve the original taste. As long as you place the cork in the bottle and put the bottle in a dark place, you won’t need to worry about it going bad for a few days.

Also, if you want to store the wine well for a longer period of time before opening it, then you need to follow these guidelines.

• Keep it in the dark- Light, especially UV rays can potentially harm the wine, so it needs to be stored in a place far away from the light.
• Store corked bottles on one side- If you preserve it on one side, the air won’t ruin the wine and the cork too won’t spoil.
• Keep the temperatures constant- The temperature should remain constant and not fluctuate more than 3°F (1.6°C) a day and 5°F (2.7°C) a year, especially with red wines, which are more vulnerable to temperature than white wine.
• The humidity should be around 70%- The humidity should be around 70% when it comes to storing red wine, as high humidity stops the cork from drying out and lessens the effect of evaporation.
• Keep the wine isolated- Store the red wine far away from foods which have a strong aroma. The smell permeates through the cork and impacts the aroma and flavor of the wine.
• Store for just the right length of time- Red wines can be stored and left for maturing for a stipulated period of 2-10 years. It also depends on the type of red wine and the right balance of its sugar, acid, and tannins.
• Serve at the right temperatures- While serving the home-made red wine or store bought wines, the temperature of the wine should be elevated or reduced just before serving. The temperature of light red wine should be around 55ºF (13ºC) and that of deep red wines should be 59-66ºF (15-19ºC).
• Store it right- Store your red wine in the wine cellar or refrigerator to preserve the flavor of the wine and keep it fresh for longer.

Some interesting facts About Red Wine

Red wines have interesting facts behind their origin and popularity. We bet you didn’t know these intriguing facts on red wine!

• Monastic orders such as the Cistercians and Benedictines preserved and pioneered the art of winemaking during the middle ages. We are largely indebted to them for their research and efforts because of which we have such elaborate winemaking technology today.
• Most European wines are named after the place they hail from. One notable example would be the Bordeaux wine which is produced in the Bordeaux region of France. Bordeaux wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and to a much lesser extent, Carmenere and Malbec.
• The color of the wine also signifies the place from where it hails- The lighter colored wines hail from cooler climates and the darker ones come from warm climates.

Contrary to popular belief, wine does not make you fat. Experts are of the opinion that calories in alcohol do not metabolize fat in the same way as calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. So it makes sense to skip the dessert and settle for wine instead. Glasses of sweet red wine not only taste great but, can possibly make you stay healthy and live longer. So uncork that bottle of your prized red wine, and celebrate with your family and friends with a lot of joie de vivre. Cheers to a good life! Hic hic hurray!