Finding the Best Red Wine

If there is one primary factor you need to keep in mind when looking for red wine, it's the body type of that wine. The body type refers to the tannin structure of the wine, its alcohol content, and how the wine feels in the mouth when you drink it. The three body types are light, medium, and full.

Light-Bodied - this type of red wine has a few tannins present on it and has a "lighter" flavor. It's also usually low in alcohol content. Among the three types, it's the easiest to pair with food. Pinot Noir is a good example of a light-bodied red, along with some varieties of Merlot.

Medium-Bodied - obviously, medium-bodied red wines are a bit weightier than light-bodied reds. They contain a little bit more tannin and alcohol and has a lot more texture or feel in the tongue when you drink it. Most varieties of Merlot are considered to be medium-bodied, as well as Chianti, some types of Shiraz, and some Cabernet varieties.

Full-Bodied - yes, you guess it right - full-bodied reds have the most tannin and alcohol content and leave the most texture or feel in the mouth when you drink it. They also tend to be darker in color, considering the fact that most of the wine comes from the skin of the grapes it is made of. Douro Reds, Shiraz, California Cabernet, Zinfandels, Malbec, and some types of Merlot are considered to be the most full-bodied red wines in the world today.

In terms of finding the best red wine out there, it actually depends on what you want to taste. It also depends on which food you would want to pair it. In short, how great a variety of red wine is depends not on the quality of wine itself (although it does most of the time), but on the texture and flavor the taster is looking for.

The key to finding the best red wine for your taste then is to try as many brands and varieties as you can find. If you are serious about becoming a wine expert, then you really need to invest time and money, not just in the bottles you buy alone, but in travels and tours that you may have to take. After all, different winemaking countries offer different qualities of red wine and the only way to find out which one offers the best is by trying them all out. http://ezinearticles.com/?Finding-the-Best-Red-Wine&id=7462051