- The creation and consumption of red wine dates back thousands of years. It is thought that red wine originated in the region now referred to as the Middle East, and spread from there to what is now called Europe.
- Red wine comes in a variety of types. Some popular varieties include Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot noir, Malbec, Chianti, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Red wines are classified by their "body-type." A wine's body refers to its "mouth feel" and amount of tannins. Red wines may be light-bodied, medium-bodied, or full-bodied.
- Red wines come from grapes that grow in different regions across the world, including Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, California, and the Pacific Northwest.
- The flavor of a wine is influenced by the soil in which the grapes are grown and the method in which it is aged. Common flavors include fruits (particularly berries), pepper, tobacco, coffee, mocha, chocolate, cinnamon, anise, and leather.
- Red wine contains resveratrol, a substance that in low doses has been found to have a positive influence on the prevention of aging and the promotion of heart health.
