Red and white wine have many differences far beyond the coloring. If you’re a red or white wine drinker and are interested in the differences this is the place to be! Strega North End offers a wide variety of wines including reds and whites. Continue reading to dive into the differences between red and white wines!
Difference in Grapes
When it comes down to the basics, red wine is made with red grapes and white wine is made with white grapes. Originally, all wines were made from the same grape species, Vitis vinifera. It is believed that the first grapes were black grapes (red wine grapes) and that a natural mutation occurred which created white wine grapes. Red and white wines can still have the same DNA even though they differ in color.
Red wine gets it’s coloring from the grape juice fermenting with the skins and the seeds of the grapes. This is what helps make the red, vibrant coloring. On the other hand, white wines light coloring comes from white wine grapes being pressed off of the skins and seeds before fermentation. Without the skin and the seeds, that is how white white has its light coloring.
Different Wine Making Methods
Typically, winemakers age red wines in oak barrels and white wines are aged in stainless steel vats. These methods are used during winemaking for oxidation for the wines. Oak barrels are used to increase oxygen in wines and to reduce oxygen, stainless steel vats are used which helps wines retain their fruity or floral flavors. Red wines are known for their soft, rich flavors whereas white wines are known for their more acidic, floral, and fruit flavors. To achieve these flavors within the wines, the oxidation methods are used.
Chemical Compound Differences
As we know, red wines are made with the grape skin and seeds whereas white wines are not. This creates a chemical compound difference between red and white wines. Red wines being made with the skin and seeds adds more beneficial compounds. White wines being fermented without grape skins and seeds leads to white wine having less beneficial compounds. Grape skins and seeds contain many beneficial chemical compounds such as Anthocyanins, Flavan-3-oils, Tocopherol, Linolenic Acid, and many more. With this information, it is known that red wines contain more beneficial compounds and are “better” for you.
Try Our Selection of Wines at Strega North End
Visit Strega North End and try our selection of wines including red and white! Take a deeper look at our wine list to see which wine you’d like to try during your visit. Make your reservation here or give us a call at (617) 523-8481 today!