Red wine

Description

Red wine presents a wide range of colors from ruby to brick and offers flavors from fruity (cherry, blackcurrant) to spicy and oaky notes with noticeable tannins and varying degrees of heaviness from light to full-bodied. Nutritional values include calories primarily from alcohol and residual sugars, as well as small amounts of vitamins and minerals; it also contains polyphenols, including resveratrol, which in moderate amounts can support heart health, but excessive alcohol consumption is harmful. In the kitchen, red wine is excellent for braising, marinades, reduced sauces, ragù, and dishes with red meat, game, mushrooms, and tomatoes, as well as for risotto and compotes. It is best stored in a cool, dark place at a constant temperature; corked bottles should be kept horizontally, opened ones sealed vacuum-tight and consumed within a few days, and for cooking, use good quality wines, but not necessarily the most expensive ones.