There have been many reports in recent years extolling the health benefits of red wines. Red wines are high in anit-oxidants and contain iron. The dry varieties of red wine contain tannins which are beneficial to digestion. Red wine has been credited with reducing cancer risks and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is recommended that the average person drink one glass of red wine a day to achieve maximum health benefits. Too much wine, red or white is not healthy since the alcohol can damage the liver. If you are on any medications, ask your doctor about drinking wine. Never drink wine or any alcohol if you are taking medication that contains acetaminophen (Tylenol) as the combination can cause liver damage. A glass of red wine with dinner is the perfect accompaniment to a nice meal and helps relieve the stress of your day.
Some Choices in Red Wines
There are many domestic and imported red wines available at liquor stores and supermarkets. Wines range in price from under $10 to thousands of dollars a bottle. Red table wines include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Chianti, Claret, some Ports and more. Many fine wines are produced in the Napa Valley of California. Tennessee is gaining recognition for its wines as is New York State.
For people who like very dry full bodied wines, burgundy and chianti are good choices. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon are less dry and have a smooth finish. Port is quite sweet and is considered a desert, but not all ports are red wines. The varieties of wines are created by using different types of grapes. Some wines use only one type, while varietal wines use a mixture of grapes. The whole grape, including the skin, is fermented to produce red wines.
Another type of red wine that is popular is the cabernet sauvignon. This type of red wine is treated with oak so that it has a slight vanilla flavor to it. It is a great wine to use with steaks and other red meat dishes since it has a fuller flavor to it than the merlot. It often has a peppery taste to it as well which is part of the reason that it complements the red meat dishes so well. These wines are made in France mainly, but are also made in Germany, Chile, Australia and California.