How is red wine made?

Yeast added to crushed grapes absorbs the natural sugar and changes the mix to alcohol. The wine created is determined by the types of grape and yeasts used.

Grape skins are actually responsible for shades of the red wine color spectrum. The colors range from light red to purple to blue. Contributing to the final wine color is the type of grape used, the coloring of the grape's skin, and the length of time the skin's coloring has contact with the juice during the fermentation process.

Sound complicated? Nevertheless, red wines are at the top of the most-wanted list. Here's a few of the better known: Cabernet Sauvigon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chianti, Bordeaux, Grenache, Cotes du Rhone, and Beaujolais Nouveau.

I prefer a sweet wine over a dry wine, so I opt for a Zinfandel or a Cabernet. I also like the heart-healthy benefits of red wine.

Red wine is a “rich source of antioxidants”. Some studies show one to two drinks daily for men and one a day for women may help reduce the risk of heart attacks for middle-age people by 30 to 50 percent, lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and possibly prevent blood clots and plaque formation, while reducing blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits.

The American Heart Association doesn't recommend people start drinking, but for those who do drink alcohol, the AHA suggests people drink only in moderation as suggested in the studies above.