Bottle of Red, Bottle of White
“Bottle of red, bottle of white, it all depends upon your appetite . . .” These famous words from Billy Joel’s song Scenes From An Italian Restaurant are the topic of our post today. What is the difference between red and white wine? Why do people choose one or the other to pair with certain foods? Are there rules to follow, or can you just go with your own inclination?
At DC Steak House in Downtown Chandler, AZ, we take our wine pairings seriously because it adds another level to your dining experience. So for the novice wine drinkers out there, we have a few answers to your common questions.
What Are The Key Differences Between Red And White Wine?
The Grapes
Most winemakers (vintners) will tell you the difference is in the grapes. They say some varieties work best as red wine, some as white for reasons of sweetness, acidity, soil, and growing conditions. Most red wines are made from red and black grapes, while most white wines come from green or “white” grapes. But, there are also fine red blends that incorporate green grapes, and great whites can be made from red grapes. In fact, the pinot noir and zinfandel grapes can produce both red and white (or rosé) wines.
The Process
The greatest difference between them lies not in the grape itself, but in the way they are processed. The process of winemaking begins with crushing the grapes. Many of us have seen images or videos of people stomping the grapes with their bare feet inside a large vat. The idea is that the bacteria on their feet will start the fermentation process. That may be how wine was made centuries ago, but it’s not how wines are made today. Modern winemaking is both an artistic and scientific endeavor. The microbes that do the work of fermentation are carefully selected and balanced for optimum efficiency.
When white wines are produced, the juicy pulp of the grape is separated from the skin and the seeds. The fermentation will only use the pulp; the skin and seeds are discarded. Since the color of the pulp is the same whether the grapes are red or green, white wines can be made from red, black or green grapes.
When red wine is made, the skins are included in the fermentation stage. This is what gives red wines their distinctive color. The darker the grape, the darker the wine. Red wines can use green grapes along with red and black grapes. Classic examples are Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Cotes du Rhone.
How are Red and White Wines Paired with Food?
The typical adage goes like this: pair red meat with red wine and white meat with white wine. That’s a bit like making a cartoon out of a Rembrandt: you get a basic picture, but it lacks complexity, originality and finesse. Pairing wine and food is an art that can be learned and experienced. Here are some keys to successful pairing:
Weight - the weight of the dish should match the weight of the wine. A heavy meat like spareribs will pair well with a hearty wine like Zinfandel. A light fish will go well with a light wine like Riesling.
Saltiness and acidity - Salt will not only bring out the flavor of food, it will also soften tannins and acidity in the wine. Matching the acidity of food and wine will brighten the wine and the food at the same time.
Fat in food - Fat can be either vegetable or protein-based. Acid-based fat in feta cheese or citrus sauces will go well with high acid white wines. Protein-based fat in butter or cream sauces goes better with reds.
Sweet, Bitter and Spice - Sweet foods accent high alcohol wines, but make dry wines taste bitter. On the other hand, bitter foods like spinach and arugula make sweet wines taste dry and dry wines taste bitter. Spicy foods will go well with sweet whites, but not dry wines.
Be Creative
These keys are broad guidelines to help you find wonderful pairings that bring out the best in both the wine and food you are consuming. But remember that they are only guides. The adventure is finding out what works best for you. Rembrandt painted masterpieces with only five colors on his palette. You have a lot more colors to work with on your palate. Every meal can be a sketch, a study, or a true work of art. Don’t fear the blank canvas: pick your colors and go for it!
Ask Us about Wine Pairings When You Dine With Us!
At award-winning DC STEAKHOUSE in Chandler, we have an extensive wine cellar to go with our first-class menu. When you dine with us, we can help you select the right wine to go with your entrée choices. We will gladly help you discover the difference between red and white wine while you enjoy the best fine dining experience in the Phoenix area. Call today for a reservation and make this the adventure of the season. And don’t forget to buy a gift certificate to DC for those you care most about.
Images used under creative commons license (Commercial Use) 12/24/20 Photo by Scott Warman on Unsplash