Wines of Africa - Red Wine

Wines of Africa
4309 Regency Drive
Glenview, IL 60025
toll free 866-203-9463
phone 847-544-5088
fax 847-635-6685

About our Red wines...

General: Red wines range from red to purple in color. The more blue or purple, the younger the wine. Orange or brick color denotes age. Older wines tend to lack fruit flavor. When wines are young, the tannins produce a rough, almost tactile sensation in the mouth. Softer tannins are from oak. Leather flavors in aged red wine are to be expected. Leather tends to be more pronounced once the fruit has faded.

Wines produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape are dark red with blue hints when young. Aromas range from bramble fruit and cassis to mint or even green pepper. Body is heavy. Oak is used heavily in the wine making, but incorporates well into the wine. Often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

While not always obvious, Red Blends may taste complex because they are blends of several grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, is often blended with Merlot or Cabernet Franc.

The Merlot grape tends toward medium dark and very blue in color. The aroma is usually of red bramble fruit, chocolate, or straw. The body is moderate. During the wine making process, diacetyl and vanillic acid from oak come through well and are often prevalent.

Shiraz is usually deep red in color with a good deal of blue. It has a very berry aroma; also violet and sometimes black pepper. Medium to heavy in body. Minimal flavors intrude the wine making process, even when much is done to the wine.

Pinotage is a grape grown almost exclusively in South Africa. It was developed in 1925 as a cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault varietals. It shows a deep garnet-purple color. Medium to heavy in body.

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a division of Timberwolf Trading Company.

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