A nice bottle of red wine doesn't have to break the bank; "inexpensive" doesn't necessarily mean "cheap." Red wine can be sipped on its own or paired with food, which often changes and enhances the flavor of both the food and the wine. Red wines contain tannins, an astringent compound found in grapes and other plants. Tannins are what make you "pucker" when drinking some red wines, and they are also what some scientists think provide heart-healthy benefits; combined with low residual sugar levels, tannins are what makes a wine "dry." Wine ratings vary between magazines and reviewers. Wine Spectator uses a 100 point scale, which you can find in the Resources section, in which wines rated 80-84 are "good; a solid made wine" and those scored from 85-89 are considered "very good; a wine with special qualities." Pepperwood Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley 2009 This Pepperwood Grove Cabernet Sauvignon got a respectable score of 84, and its $7 price tag makes it a true bargain.

Wine Spectator describes it as "light and forward" with vanilla and cherry flavors. Lighter reds are usually easy to drink on their own, without food. Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with red meat or even chocolate. Cabernet Sauvignon contains tannins which puts them in the dry category of wine. J.M. Da Fonseca Periquita Red 2007 Another good value, this bottle from J.M. Da Fonseca comes in at $9. Good Housekeeping recommends the "light spiciness" of the Periquita for the Thanksgiving dinner table because it pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes, from the turkey to the cranberry jelly. Periquita is a grape that makes wines with very strong tannins creating a "puckery" dry wine. La Calonica Sangiovese Cortona Calcinaio 2009 The Sangiovese grape originates in Italy and is most often associated with Chianti. This La Calonica varietal was given an 87 by Wine Spectator; factor in the $11 price tag and this bottle is a steal. The La Colonica is a true example of a Sangiovese: medium in body with high acidity and exhibiting fruit flavor.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot, Washington This Merlot-Syrah blend is a product of the Columbia Crest "Two Vines" line of wines. Rated a "Best Wine Under $12" by Good Housekeeping, the magazine described Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot as "smooth" and "fruity." Aged in both American and French oak barrels, the Columbia Crest's tasting notes recommend pairing this wine with richer foods such as hamburgers or macaroni and cheese. best tasting cheap sweet wineA little smoother than Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot still exhibits the tannins that make red wines dry.best wine cooler drinks Maison Badet Clement Corbières Château Lamy 2008best italian wine bars Don't shy away from the French wine section at your local wine shop; best wine for chocolate

you can find bottles for under $15. This 2008 offering from Maison Badet Clement winery was given an 87 rating by Wine Spectator making the $11 investment an inexpensive risk. Like other dry, red wines that contain tannins, this wine can be paired with red meat or grilled vegetables. Wine Spectator describes this bottle as "medium bodied" with flavors of "berry and red plum."best prices on wine coolers Food and Wine Pairing: Guidelinesbest cheap red dry wine Wine Spectator: Daily Wine Picks Good Housekeeping: Red Wines for Thanksgiving Good Housekeeping: Best Wines Under $12 Food and Wine Pairing: Pairing Wine with Food Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot: Factsheet You May Also Like Contrary to the name, Asian rice noodles don't cook at all like classic pasta noodles. Rice noodles, or rice sticks as they...

The foundation of all winemaking is the process of fermentation. During the fermentation process, yeasts turn the sugars in grapes into alcohol.... Dry wines are used in cooking to enhance and complement red meat, fish and poultry. Dry wines -- particularly dry white wines... For those new to drinking or tasting wine, red wine may come across as being too bold and harsh for their palette.... Wine lovers who are on a tight budget can still find exciting, full-bodied red wines that are easy on the pocketbook. When one thinks of wine, expensive is usually equated with good taste. However if you do not have the big bucks to... Whether you are selecting a red wine to go with grilled steak or a perfectly ripened cheese, dry wines are the best... 13 Delicious Thanksgiving Sides That'll Make Turkey Insignificant The Top Five Red Wines Red Wines That are Considered Dry List of Wines From Dry to Sweet Good Red Wines for Beginners How to Pick a Good Sweet Red Wine

Top 5 Sweet Red WinesDry wine contains the maximum amount of alcohol possible for the type of grape used to make the wine because the juice is fermented until all of the grape’s natural sugar is consumed, according to the O Chef cooking website. Red wines are primarily dry, except for sweet dessert wines. Some people confuse the presence of tannins, natural compounds found in grape skins that can make a mouth feel dry, with a wine that contains little to no sugar. Best paired with meats, hearty meals, bitter greens or chocolate and cheeses such as brie or cheddar, Cabernet Sauvignon has a peppery, sometimes bitter or sharp flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown all over the world and produce a full-bodied wine that has an alcohol content between 13.5 and 14.5 percent. Cabernet Franc is usually combined with other grape varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, and rarely used on its own. The variety of wine with which Cabernet Franc is mixed will determine which foods the blend pairs with well.

For example, a Cabernet Franc blended with Cabernet Sauvignon will pair well with hearty meals, bitter greens and brie. A wine made entirely of Cabernet Franc pairs well with most cheeses, pork, ham and tomato-based dishes. A light- to medium-bodied wine, Pinot Noir has a variety of flavors such as fruity and herbal. The Pinot Noir grapes produce complex wines, with famous productions coming from California and France. The wine pairs well with mild, creamy cheeses, tomatoes, salmon and lean meats. Merlot has a low acid content, smooth flavor and hints of plums, currants and other berries. Because of the low acid content, Merlot is a dry red wine option for those who may not like strong red wines. The varietal pairs well with a wide array of foods including steak, lamb, seared tuna and cheddar cheese. Choosing a Sangiovese wine presents a variety of options for flavor based primarily on the age of the wine. Young wines of this varietal feature fruity and spicy flavors, while the aged Sangioveses take on the flavor of the oak barrels in which they mature.

The acidic wine pairs well with roast chicken, tomato sauce, and herbs such as basil and thyme. Syrah/Shiraz wines have a high tannin content combined with a strong fruit flavor to balance the wine. The wine can be used on its own or in combination with other grapes. The varietal ranges from acidic to fruity and pairs well with barbecue, Mexican dishes, black pepper and beef. Grown in California, the red Zinfandel grapes produce a range of flavors from spicy to fruity, with strong berry flavored wines produced in cooler areas and spicy versions in warmer climates. While White Zinfandel is sweet, the red version is dry and pairs well with everything from turkey and lamb to chili and aged cheeses. Although the Tempranillo grape is now grown throughout the world, it’s largely associated with Spain, where it originated. This wine may be aged or served young, and varies from mild to oakey in flavor. Tempranillo complements Spanish foods, mild blue cheeses, cured meat and grilled fish.