Description
Red wine is simply wine produced from red or black grapes. What you might not know is that almost all grapes have colorless juice. The way that the red wine gets its color is by letting the skins soak in the juice until the red color bleeds out. Not only does soaking the skins give red wine its color, it also imparts a substance known as tannin. Tannin is what gives red wines a complexity that is beyond that of most white wines. Tannin has a mouth drying quality that causes the wine to feel firm in your mouth. When a red wine is young, this firmness can be quite intense. Over time, the qualities of the tannin will mellow and blend harmoniously with the other characteristics of the wine. This is one of the main reasons that red wines usually age better than whites.

How to Select
When you go to buy red wine, deciding which bottle to purchase can be a daunting task. This is particularly true if you aren't familiar with wine, or don't have much experience with the beverage. When you go to buy wine, go to the store prepared with a list of several red wines and their corresponding ratings. If saving money is something that you're interested in, choose the lowest priced with the highest acceptable rating. Also, talk to the people who work at the store. They're around the stuff all day, and most times can give you some good insight as to which wines to try.
The quality of red wine is measured in four essential qualities namely- appearance, fragrance, sensation and finish. A wine that looks more presentable has a pleasing effect. Which is savoury gives a lasting thought.

Culinary Uses
· Red wine is usually intended to be consumed with a meal instead of on its own.
· The bold flavors and characteristics (compared to most whites), will stand up to and sometimes complement flavorful foods.
· Red wine will really shine when it is served at the proper temperature. If the temperature is too cold, the subtle flavors and textures will be lost. If the temperature is too warm, the wine will taste somewhat flat and totally non-refreshing.
· The flavor of the wine is enhanced by serving nuts, dried fruit, and cheese.
· Chocolate is a double-barreled favorite, but notice that dark chocolate is a better match than sweet milk chocolate.
· Chill certain reds for about thirty minutes before serving. Let the wine breath for a few moments before serving. Red wines should not be served ice cold. Sniffing wine corks is unnecessary. A properly stored wine will have a cork that is moist to the touch. Old wood can cause wine corks to rot. Avoid putting red wine bottles in direct light.

How to Store
Store red wine in a cool, dark place. An underground basement is the ideal environment, hence wine cellars. Those who do not have basements do have other options to consider. Keep tabs on the temperature. Store red wine in an area that consistently stays between 55 and 65 degrees F. Overheating will make the wine age too quickly, ruining its composition. Store red wine bottles on their sides. Ideally, the wine should touch the cork. This prevents the cork from drying out. This also prevents air from sneaking into the bottle. A moist cork is an indicator of a properly stored wine.

Health Benefits
· Red wine is a particularly rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids, phenolic
· Resveratrol, found in grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and prevent blood clotting.
· Flavonoids, on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.