Ready for a perfect night in? We’ve got all the tips and facts lined up so you can enjoy sinking into your couch with a lovely glass of red wine 

Here’s to Health
Sip, sip hooray! Consuming red wine in moderation has some health benefits attached to it, so go ahead and pour yourself a glass. A glass of red is packed with antioxidants: Polyphenol (which includes tannins – the real good stuff  when it comes to health) protects the heart’s blood vessels, while resveratrol further contributes to cardiovascular health by lowering the risk of blood clots and cholesterol. Red wine also limits the risk for diabetes and can slow down the effects of ageing. Choose your vino wisely, though, as not every variety has the same perks and some wines are healthier than others. We recommend opting for one that contains more tannins (find out how to determine this below) and is drier in taste.

It’s in the Colour
The colouring of red wine is thanks to anthocyanin – a pigment that is found in grape skins. This is also where a lot of red wine’s tannin content comes from. The fermentation process of white wines, on the other hand, requires the grape skins to be separated from the juice. Your favourite bottle of red therefore contains more tannins than white wine, and as we’ve already discussed – more tannins mean more health benefits. We’re sure you’ve heard about ‘ageing like fine wine’ before. While this statement may be true when it comes to taste, choosing a newer bottle to pour from has more health pros. As red wine ages, it lightens in colour and therefore loses some of the tannin content, too. In conclusion, pick the varieties that are a deeper red.

Local Is Lekker
On South African soil, 92 005 hectares of vine is dedicated to wine production. While the white varieties take up a bigger portion of the plantings, our beloved red varieties aren’t far behind by making up 44.6% of the plantings. Cabernet Sauvignon stands out above the rest, accounting for 10.8% of the red wine vines. Next, we have Shiraz (10%), Pinotage (7.2%) and Merlot (5.9%).

Definitely Decant
It shouldn’t be seen as an unnecessary nuisance. Instead, decanting your red wine makes the drinking experience that much better (even if you thought it wouldn’t be possible). Not only does pouring your vino into a different container add more oxygen to the mix (which intensifies the aroma and flavour), you’ll also get rid of any sediment that may have built up in
the original container. These days, there are various stylish decanters available to purchase. A sight for sore eyes and a flavour enhancer? Sounds like a win-win to us!

RED WINE LIST

Yes – there is more than one red wine variety to choose from. Here are some of the top types to add to your cart.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Shiraz

Merlot

Pinot Noir

Zinfandel

Nebbiolo

Malbec

Sangiovese

GLASS ACT

Did you know that choosing the right glass for specific wine varietals means you’ll get the most out of the taste and aromas?

Full bodied: These are higher in tannins and include varieties such as Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – a large Bordeaux glass with a wide opening.

Medium bodied: These typically have spicier tones and include varieties such as Shiraz, Zinfandel and Malbec – a standard red wine glass with a smaller opening.

Lighter bodied: These have floral aromas and include varieties such as Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo – a large Bourgogne glass
with a wide bowl.

Words by Bianca Muller
Photo by cottonbro: Via Pexels