Dry 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.

Although the name suggests one man is behind this house, 
in actuality Feuillatte is a union of over 5,000 individual family growers. best wine from target Most of the famous names in Champagne are “houses” that buy grapes from dozens or even hundreds of small farmers throughout the region. best wine texasSome are huge (Moët & Chandon, 
for instance, makes millions of bottles a year) and some are quite small, but the overall approach remains consistent. best wine texas
And because the winemaker (or chef de cave) doesn’t rely on 
a single vineyard, it’s easier to fashion a wine that consistently expresses a house style year in and year out—something particularly important for dry (brut) nonvintage blends, like the 10 spectacular bottles above.—Ray Islebest wine consultant

10 Best Whites Under $20 With warmer temperatures (finally) upon us, there’s no time like the present to pop open refreshing, dry white wines. wine and beer weddingHere are 10 recently rated bottlings from around the world that you can pack for your next picnic or pair with your farmers’ market haul.pictures of wine from italy Avancia 2013 Cuveé De O Godello (Valdeorras); Celler Bàrbara Forés 2013 Blanc White (Terra Alta); Encanto 2013 Charm Godello (Bierzo); La Caña 2013 Albariño (Rías Baixas); Noble Tree 2013 Estate Chardonnay (Chalk Hill-Russian River Valley); Redtree 2013 Chardonnay (California); Rejadorada 2013 Verdejo (Rueda); Tangent 2013 Paragon Vineyard Pinot Gris (Edna Valley); Three Thieves 2013 Pinot Grigio (California); Twisted 2013 Chardonnay (California);

Wine Recommendations, Wine TrendsIf you are new to the world of red wines, you may have heard a lot of terms used to describe many wines that look alike. For example, in red wines, there are dry wines, and sweet wines, and it seems a number of wines in between. So what's the difference? Dry wines are wines that have no sugar residue. The fermentation process that creates wine is a process where the sugar in the grapes is broken down, and fermented, to create the wine. Sometimes there are residual sugars in the wine, once the fermentation process is complete. Other times sugars are added. As more of these sugars are added, the sweeter the wine becomes. But in order to become a dry wine, those residual sugars have to be gone. Dry wines are considered more complex and sophisticated. The joy of drinking a dry wine is that you can experience the amazing nuances of flavours that are melded together. You can have tobacco, earth, chocolate, berry and other flavours that are pure in the wine.

It also is meant to meld with the meal being consumed to create new flavours as the residual food flavouring and wine are combined between bites. When choosing a dry red wine, here are some tips; There are so many types of fruity red wines that it is difficult to remember them all. Manischewitz wine, for example, tastes essentially like alcoholic grape juice. Whereas Champagne is considered a fruity wine but can actually taste quite bitter to some people. Port is a style of dessert wine. It tends to have a much higher alcohol level than most wines, ranging anywhere between 15 and 20%, so it can burn a little, but Port is designed to keep its natural fruit flavouring. There are several different styles of Port wine, so you can easily find one that goes well with your meal, and if you have people that are not fond of dry wines, there is no question that port is likely the wine for them. When consuming wine it's always a good idea to keep track of the alcohol units each glass - or bottle - contains, to ensure you stay within the recommended limits.