popular drinks in france
Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot, oh my. Understanding the complexity and variety of red wine can be intimidating, especially when it comes to choosing the right wine for dinner. Here are some wine selection tips for five of the most popular red wines for beginners.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Considered "King of Red Wine Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon originated in the French region of Bordeaux and was established in the California wine market to become one of the red wines of the world's most popular. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually matured for 5-10 years to create a sweet-tasting wine. It is often blended with other grapes, especially Merlot, creating a soft wine with tones of fresh fruit. Cabernet are medium tannin wines that are generous Berry rich, snuff and flavors of pepper and sometimes even green. Cabernet pairs well with lamb, red meat, red delicious pasta dishes, strong cheeses and black chocolate.
Pinot Noir
The juice Pinot Noir grape is very difficult to grow demanding climate with long warm days and cool nights. However, it is cultivated in regions such as Oregon, California, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Italy. Due to increasingly stringent requirements, Pinot Noir is produced in smaller quantities than many other popular red wines and tends to be a little more expensive. This is a lighter color and sweet taste red wine with hints of berries, tomatoes, cherries, plums and flavors of earth or wood, depending on where it is grown. Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile red wines pair well with poultry, fish, lamb, pork, ham, hot spices and cream sauces.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel has been a mainstay of the California wine market since the mid 1800s. Originally from Italy, this grape has found a strong home in the Americas. The grape Zinfandel produces two varieties: the red Zinfandel and White Zinfandel (also called White Zin), which has become a popular wine for the beginner. The basic Zinfandel is a rich dark red wine with aromas of sweet berries, plums and pepper, black and oak nuances. White Zinfandel is made by removing the skin of grapes, shortly after grapes are crushed. The result is a rose-pink wine with a lighter flavor. Red Zinfandel pairs well with red meat or white, abundant fish, burgers and spicy dishes. White Zinfandel is suitable for a wide rage of foods, including Cajun and Asian flavors, barbecue chicken and seafood dishes heavy.
Merlot
Merlot originates in the French region of Bordeaux and is a soft, lush, medium bodied wine. Its juicy fruit flavors and low tannin content makes a popular Merlot the beginner. Merlot has a wide range of colors like plums, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and black pepper. Merlot is often blended with other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to soften their flavor and more structure and definition. Merlot is a versatile red that goes well with pork, beef, pasta and salads.
Shiraz
Known as Syrah in France, Shiraz is a bold, spicy wine that has become very popular in Australia, where he earned his alternative name. Is a medium-bodied wine with firm tannins that give more body than most young reds. Shiraz has an impressive range of flavors including black cherry, blackberry, plum, pepper, black pepper, black licorice and chocolate, and even smoked meat. Shiraz is well with rich foods including grilled meats and vegetables, hunting, seasoned meat, beef stew and pizza.
You can learn about white wine for the beginner and get more wine selection tips for finding $50 quality wines for $10 or less at http://wineforthebeginner.blogspot.com
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