Red Wine

Red wine - crushed from red grapes of all different varieties from regions stretching around the globe. There is a red wine to enjoy for almost any occasion, and with the number of red wines easily available, experiencing the taste sensations accompanied with a good glass of red has become as effortless of finishing a bottle among friends.

However, whether you decide to enjoy your red wine with friends, with a meal or on a quiet evening at home, a little knowledge about what to expect from your chosen red wines will only serve you to enjoy the experience all the more. With the right red wines on your table, enjoyment will be exactly what you will get.

The next time you go to buy red wine, chances are you will come across the following popular varieties:

• Shiraz
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir

You can find more information about these delicious types of red wine right here, but before venturing into the red wine of your choosing, consider a few of these beginner's tips for enjoying and appreciating red wine.

Personal Taste

Wines of all varieties are to be enjoyed to your unique palate. Everyone's tastebuds are different, so start your exploration of red wine with your own opinions and let your knowledge and enjoyment come from there. You don't need to spend a fortune to get really great quality wine, and you are probably better off starting at the lower end of wine spectrum anyway.

Modern Style

Many of the traditional rules of wine have been shed in modern times. It's no longer faux pas to order red wine with white meat, and not all reds are served at room temperature. It's more important to choose a red wine that suits the flavour you are after, and your red wine should typically be cool in your hand when you consume it.

Temperature

Many regions in Australia are warm, and 30 degrees Celsius is too warm for almost all red wines. Fruity and light red wines generally should be served around 12-15 degrees, pinots around 15 degrees and heavier reds such as Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Bordeaux and Shiraz are typically served around 17-20 degrees.

This doesn't mean that you need to get out the thermometer every time you have a glass of wine, but refrigerating red wine for 15-20 mins in warm climates is a good idea. It's better to have red wine slightly cooler because it will always warm in your hand or in the bottle as it rests. At the right temperature, red wine should be refreshing without losing its subtle flavours and textures.

Let It Breathe

If you don't know already, red wines like to breathe. There are ongoing debates about the use of decanters and how long you should let a wine breathe. In some cases, there will be instructions on the bottle. For the new beginner, it is normally best to open a bottle and let it sit for 10 minutes. Better yet, pour it into your glass for a few minutes and let the oxygen mature the wine more quickly.

Does Age Matter?

Like most things revolving around wine, there are a lot of considerations, opinions and preferences when it comes to ageing a bottle of red wine.

It can all seem a little overwhelming for the beginner, but to set the record straight, not all wines are produced to get better with a long period of ageing. Most wines are intended to be consumed within a few years of the vintage, and when it comes to reds, the better quality wines are typically aged longer.

As a general rule, wines will lose fruitiness and gain complexity with age. For this reason, light fruity wines are best consumed when young, and heavier wines should be left longer. Around 90 percent of all wine should be consumed within a few years of the vintage date, and many wines are purchased ready to be consumed. If you start paying more than $25 a bottle, you might consider ageing your wine to get the most from it.

Now that you have the basics to enjoying a bottle of red wine, why not check out the beginner's guides to tasting different types of red wine. It's best to begin with the unblended varieties to get your flavour feet, so we suggest beginning at the mellow end of the spectrum with the Merlot and then moving through the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

With wine.com.au, you will find everything you need to experience the delight of red wine.