Red wines might have a colour anywhere from dark pink to burgundy red and deep purple. They encompass the spectrum of wine flavors from dry to sweet and fruity. Red wines, more so than other varieties, mellow with age, becoming softer. Another distinguishing characteristic is that red wines tend to have more complex flavors, since the tannins add to the formula.

Red wine, more so than other wines, are touted for their health benefits. They have been shown to reduce coronary heart disease by altering the blood lipid levels. Red wines lower the body's total cholesterol count, and raise the body's high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

Red wine, unlike other kinds of alcohol, also maintains the body's immune system. Red wines are also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, and have been shown to possess anti-bacterial and anti-stress properties.

In dining, red wines are typically paired with red meats. They also go well with more savory dishes and stronger tastes, particularly the heavy-bodied wines.

As with all wines, the particular winemaker will have adequate 'say' in the style of wine he will produce, but red wines are often classified by 'body-type'. For example, one might say that a certain red wine is 'light-bodied' - referring to the mouth-feel and tannin structure.

The top red wine varietals that you are likely to encounter are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Grenache.

Sometimes, you will hear of red wines referred to by their popular regional names. For example, a 'Bordeaux' is a red wine from France that is made primarily from three varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. When ordering a wine from Italy and you will often hear of a Chianti- made from the Sangiovese grape varietal, or look at Piedmont's Barolo or Barbaresco wines (both of which hail from the Nebbiolo varietal).

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