Not another red wine…

Red wine is a type of wine made from dark-colored (black) grape varieties. One might wonder why red wine is well…red. Its color can be derived from a vast assortment of grape varietals ranging from grapes that are reddish, deep purple, and even a beautiful blue on the color scale. These grapes give rise to a wine that is color classified with such descriptors as garnet, almost black, dark red, light red, ruby red, opaque purple, deep violet, maroon and the list goes on. It is the grape-skins that are responsible for the red wine’s distinct color spectrum. The skins are in contact with the grape’s juice during the fermentation process, allowing the dispersion of both color and tannins.

Red wines are often classified by “body-type”. For example, one might say that a certain red wine is “light-bodied” – referring to the mouth-feel and tannin structure.

• A light-bodied wine will have fewer tannins present and less presence on the palate. These wines tend to be less demanding partners with flavor-filled foods. An example of a light-bodied red wine would be one derived from the Gamay grape varietal, such as France’s famed young red wine: Beaujolais Nouveau.
• A medium-bodied red wine will contain more tannins than the above Beaujolais Nouveau, but will not have near the pucker power of a high-powered California Cabernet Sauvignon or an Italian Super Tuscan. Typical examples of medium-bodied red wines include: Merlot, Shiraz or a Chianti.
• Full-bodied red wines boast the highest tannin (and often alcohol) content. Prime examples of full-bodied reds are France’s esteemed Bordeaux wines, California’s key Cabernets and Italy’s sizzling Super Tuscans.

In general, light-bodied wines tend to “feel” more like water in the mouth. In contrast, “full-bodied” wines feel heavier, more like milk, this effect is due in large part to the higher tannin (and again, alcohol) content.

The top red wine varietals that you are likely to encounter are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Grenache.

Well, I’m here to talk about a particular wine, a premium wine, and first of its kind in Nigeria; RIVERSTONE red wine. Riverstone red wine is a South African red wine made from Cinsaut and Ruby Cabernet grapes.

A Cinsaut or Cinsault is a red wine grape, known for producing light, fruity and heavily perfumed wines, most often as either a Rose or blended with another heartier grape (usually a Carignan), whose heat tolerance and productivity make it very important in wine production. A Ruby Cabernet is a redgrape variety that is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon (widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties) and Carignan.

The purpose for the creation of the crossing of the grape varieties utilized to produce Ruby Cabernet was to obtain the superior quality of a Cabernet wine, and the resistance to heat of the Carignan, to create an all-round specification of wine meeting quality, taste and affordability.

Cinsaut grapes                                            Ruby Cabernet grapes

The result of a combination of Cinsaut and Ruby Cabernet grapes gives a balance between medium-bodied and full-bodied, and the taste is one that can be described as heavenly, and I am a witness to that. The aroma of currants, teasingly rich taste, and the subtle alcohol feeling is one best experienced than narrated to.

I think I have enlightened you enough on some information about Riverstone wine, and wines in general. For that occasion: weddings, birthdays, album launches, bridal showers, bachelor’s eve parties, annual general meetings, and celebration of life (funerals), supplies to restaurants and bars, why not make your guests happy and serve Riverstone red wine? You are going wine shopping? Pick some bottles of Riverstone red wine off the vendor’s shelves. You would be absolutely glad that you did, plus red wine is good for the heart and soul {contains Resveratrol which is heart-protective…but that’s a story for another post :)}…and yes, I am advertising this wine!

Distributors are available in Abuja, please call 07031990172, or 08097020069. We will be waiting, as huge, unbelievable discounts await you.

Have a nice week ahead!