Red wine is made from the fermented pulp of dark-skinned grapes. Most dark-skinned grapes have uncoloured flesh and the process of saignée or ‘bleeding’ involves leaving the dark grape skins in contact with the pulp to not only add colour but also flavour. The most well known red wine varietals include Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. High-quality red wines tend to cellar well, with many benefiting from decades of age.
