Food Content // Red Wine: What, Why, And How Much?*

Whatever the occasion, red wine can supplement almost any event, depending on the mood. There are many different kinds of red wine out there and they can be paired with a wide range of snacks, hors d’oeuvres and meals. Let’s take a look at a few common types of red wines, what they go best with, and how much they tend to cost in US$.

Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, often associated with the Burgundy reds of Bourgogne, France, is also grown in Australia, New Zealand, and in California and Oregon. Pinot Noir has very soft tannins, accompanied by fruity, berry-like aromas. People say that a good pinot noir will give off notes of damp earth, tealeaves, or even worn leather. Pinot Noir can be paired with lighter meats like chicken, lamb, or grilled salmon and is a match made in heaven when paired with sushi rolls! Pinot noir usually retails for around £20, but can sometimes be found for cheaper, and, depending on where it was made, much more expensive.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon, or “Cab Sav” as it is sometimes shortened to, is your standard red wine. It’s great for almost any occasion, and can be cultivated almost anywhere. Cab Sav is mostly associated with the red grapes that come from the Bordeaux region, but can also be grown in Canada’s Okanagan Valley, California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay, or even Chile’s Maipo Valley, to say the least. Cab Sav is considered a varietal. Varietals tend to be named after the single grape the wine has in it, and is named after – which is why these wines are capitalized. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay are all great examples of varietals. Cab Sav goes best with no-fuss red meat, prepared simply and without anything else. However, Cab Sav can also be paired with deserts such as chocolate or sweet baked goods. You can often find an acceptable Cab Sav from £15-£20 with ease. There are some great wine comparison site around. You can find some great deals on cheap red wine, of if price is secondary, you can choose your wines based on high customer ratings and reviews.

Merlot
Merlot, like Cab Sav, is a sure fire hit for almost any occasion, as it is smooth and easy to drink. Merlot can be grown and cultivated in Italy, Romania, California, Chile, and Australia etc. Initially, Merlot was a Bordeaux blend, meaning that it was born out of a mixture of grapes from the Bordeaux region of France. Due to its easy drinking appeal, merlot can be paired with practically any snack, entre, or dessert! A bottle of merlot can go for anywhere between £15-£50, depending on many factors.

Zinfandel
Zinfandel, like Cab Sav, is also a varietal and is one of the most versatile wine grapes. Zinfandel’s grapes can be used to make light blush wines like White Zinfandel (not to be confused with rosé) or, can be used to make heavy, rich red wines with robust flavours! Zinfandel originally came from Italy, where it is known as Primitivo. But today, Zinfandel is mostly cultivated in California. Zinfandel gives off a very peppery aroma and has a zesty, berry-like flavour to it. What’s great about Zinfandel is that it pairs best with certain foods depending on its colouration. For lighter Zinfandels, pizza and pasta are a hit; but as with most robust red wines, a heavy red Zinfandel will go great with barbecued or even grilled meats. Zinfandel typically retails for upwards of £20.