You may select red or white wine on any given occasion based on how you feel or what your taste buds tend to like. While it’s good to listen to your instincts, it’s also helpful to understand the differences between the two options. This can help you make a more informed choice in the future. As such, here’s what you need to know.

The Differences Between Reds & Whites

How Does Preparation Differ?

Reds and whites aren’t just noteworthy because of their opposing hues. They’re also made using different processes. Red earns its color when the juice ferments with grape seeds and skin. White, by contrast, is made when the grapes are massaged off the skin and seeds before fermentation.

How Do They Develop Their Flavor?

Anyone who has spent time at a cocktail lounge or bar knows just how different red and white wines taste. Reds are rich and warm, while whites are bright and floral. To produce these particular flavors, winemakers use different methods to oxidize the fluid.

Red wine is normally aged in oak-wood barrels to intensify oxygenation and produce a more nutty, elegant flavor. White wine is aged in stainless steel vessels to reduce oxygen exposure and lock in the fruit and floral notes.

Which Foods Are Best for Each?

The differences in flavor also mean that each type of wine tastes better with certain foods. The depth of red wine makes it an ideal partner for equally rich, intense dishes, like red meat, mixed green salads, and ingredients that are thick and flavorful; heavy soups, Italian cuisine, chocolate ganache, and nutty cheeses are all prime candidates.

White wine is considerably lighter and is often overwhelmed by the power of a heavily spiced or sauced dish. As a result, it’s best to pair it with something lighter, like mild cheeses, salty snacks, and even fattier dishes, like butter chicken or vegetable tempura. The lively white creates a balance that makes those foods even more palatable.

You don’t have to choose a favorite at Lancaster’s Lounge & Off-Sale in Lincoln, NE. The family-owned cocktail lounge and bar has been an area institution since 1989 and is renowned for its extensive selection of wine, liquor, and beer specials. Enjoy trivia and happy hour there, too, and spend some time relaxing in the company of family and friends. Give them a call at (402) 421-2474 to speak with a friendly member of the team today.