Another Great Wine Fermentation Article

Red And White Wine: The Difference

Like many other people, you probably enjoy an occasional glass of wine. You've probably tried various red wines and white wines. But do you know the difference between reds and whites? The color, obviously, but there are other factors that make reds and whites quite different.

Both red wine and white wine can be either dry or sweet, or anywhere in between. But in general, reds are more robust and more complex than white wines. White wines tend to be lighter, without the complexity of reds. This basic difference has more to do with how the wines are fermented than it does with the grapes. Although red wines are generally made with red and black grapes, and white wines are usually made from green grapes, this isn't always the case.

The main difference between red and white wines is the fermentation process. When making white wine, the stems, seeds, and grape skins are removed from the grape juice after pressing. With red wines, the grape stems, seeds, and skins are left in the juice. Because of this, tannins and pigments will leach out of the stems, seeds, and skins into the grape juice. It's these tannins that produce the complexity of red wines.

Tannins are compounds present in grapes and other plants. Tea also contains tannins... if you've ever drank a strong cup of tea, the bitter, astringent taste is caused by these tannins. In wine, these tannins act to prevent oxidation of the wine while it ages. This is important in red wines, since reds are generally aged and matured for a longer period of time than white wines. The tannins present in red wine also provide another layer of flavor, increasing the complexity of the wine, and making it more robust. The astringency of the tannins will diminish and mellow as the wine ages.

Both red and white wines make an excellent addition to your meal. There are no hard and fast rules for matching wine and food, but the differences in wine do provide some guidelines. Usually red wines, because of their complexity will match better with a strong flavored meal. White wines, with their lighter body and taste match better with chicken or fish. But the main factor in choosing a wine for a meal is your own taste. Whether you prefer a light, white wine, or a full-bodied red, just choose whatever wine you prefer to accompany your meal, and enjoy!

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Red And White Wine: The Difference


Like many other people, you probably enjoy an occasional glass of wine. You've probably tried various red wines and white wines. But do you know the d...


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Vintage Chart Appetizer Plates (S/4)


A wine enthusiast’s delight our colorful cheese and dessert plates flaunt vintage ratings from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Wines from California Italy France Germany and more are represented. The set includes four plates and comes in a decorative gift hatbox. 6 1/2'W.


Price: 29.95 USD



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A Featured Barefoot Wine Article

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Abruzzi Region

If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider Abruzzi. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

Abruzzi is located on the central eastern part of Italy on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The area is 2/3 mountains and 1/3 hills. Over time Abruzzi has belonged to the Romans, the Lombards, and the kingdom of Naples. While this area was once very poor, its income is now growing. Abruzzi and Molise were a single region from 1948 to 1965. Its population is 1.275 million.

Agricultural products include grapes, olives, wheat, sugar beets, tobacco, saffron, pigs, and sheep. The Adriatic Sea and inland lakes and streams provide a wide variety of fish and shellfish. If I remember correctly, the first time that I heard of this region was decades ago, when I learned that according to Craig Claiborne, at the time Food Editor of the New York Times, Italy?s best food was found in Abruzzi.

Abruzzi has no large cities. Its administrative center l?Aquila has a population of about 70 thousand. But big cities are hardly a requirement for good wine. Few would ever claim that Italy?s best wines come from Rome, or the surrounding area.

Abruzzi devotes about eighty two thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 10th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 110 million gallons, giving it a 5th place. About 90% of the wine production is red or ros? (not very much ros?), leaving 10% for white. The region produces 3 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine and 1 DOCG red wine, Montepulciano d?Abruzzo Colline Teramane. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. About 17% of Abruzzi wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Abruzzi is home to about two dozen major and secondary grape varieties, a few more white and than red.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Trebbiano and Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc. The best known strictly Italian white variety is Trebbiano d?Abbruzzi, felt by some to be Bombino Bianco.
The best known Italian red variety is Montepulciano d?Abruzzo. The Montepulciano d?Abruzzo DOC is the most widely exported Italian DOC wine.

Before we reviewing the Abruzzi wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with local wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with a Pizza Rustica, Cinnamon-Scented Pie Stuffed with Proscuitto, Cheese, and Eggs.
Then move on to Polenta sulla Spianatora, Polenta (Cornbread) Topped with Sausage in Spicy Tomato Sauce.
For desert enjoy a Crostata di Ricotta, a Ricotta Tart.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Abruzzo Illuminati Montepulciano d?Abruzzo ?Riparosso? 2004 DOC 13% alcohol about $11.50

The marketing materials state that this wine has hints of an Amarone (a much more expensive wine) or a Ripasso ( a more expensive wine). There are raisings, currants, and tar on the nose whilst the taste profile is ripe, mellow fruit flavors of raspberry jam and ocha. It doesn?t contain a lot of acidity so drink it within a year. Pair it with pizza, burgers, or any meat dish that you tend to eat during the week.

This wine is said to complement pasta, red meats, and savory cheeses.

I found the Riparosso to be somewhat robust, with cherry and plum flavors. I didn?t have the feeling that I was drinking a regular Montepulciano d?Abruzzo, but instead almost a Ripasso, a wine that I prefer. This wine managed to feel full-bodied even with its light tannins. It balanced nicely the tanginess of barbecued eggplant loaded with garlic, and demonstrated notable spiciness when paired with a meat ball and vegetable stew. Its acidity was pleasant. I did not discern all the flavors listed above. For me the dominant flavor was black cherry. The final meat dish that accompanied this wine was a barbecued boneless rib steak with a spicy curry and cumin sauce. The wine seemed to pick up strength to accompany this meat, which by the way, we don?t eat on a regular basis during the week.

I tasted this wine with two related cheeses. Pecorino Toscano is a soft, nutty cheese. Interestingly enough, I found that the wine was no longer robust, it seemed to soften to accompany this mild cheese. In the presence of a Pecorino Fiore Sardo, a balsamic sheep?s milk cheese with a stronger flavor and coarser consistency than its Tuscan cousin, the wine almost magically picked up flavor to meet the challenge.

Final verdict, as you can tell this wine is a definite keeper.

Extra note. Several months ago on a whim I bought a $6 bottle of Montepulciano d?Abruzzo. Given the realities of the marketplace, I really doubt that any producer can come up with a decent bottle at that price. At first the wine was terribly acidic. I held out, finished the bottle and the last glass was almost OK. Yes, there are bargains, such as this Riparosso, but few in the $6 range.

Thoughts about Barefoot Wine

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Abruzzi Region


If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider Abruzzi. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have fun on this fact-filled wine ...


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Chardonnay Spaetlese


A most unusual wine from the Rheinhessen. A very rare find in this late harvest Chardonnay. Spaetlese means late harvest, typically German or Austrian style of wine making. What is not common here is the Chardonnay grape. The combination of the Chardonnay and Spaetlese makes this a rare wine, delicious, full bodied, very complex, very well suited for aging in the cellar. Excellent with seafood and sauces, Chicken a la King, Sweet and Sour chicken, you get the idea? Serve chilled 45-50 F. Great gift to buy online! GWCSW704 GWCSW704


Price: 27.95 USD



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Wine clubs have been sprouting up in recent years as a result of an increased interest in wine and greater wine consumption. In fact, according to figures from the Wine Institute, sales of wine in the United States went up four percent in 2004. Exports of wine by other countries to the U.


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