Are you a big fan of wine? If so, there are plenty of fun wine facts out there you may already know about. But even those who are very well-versed in the world of wine may not know everything. If you’re looking for new ways to impress your friends at your next dinner party or you just want to learn a little more about your favorite alcoholic beverage, check out our list of ten things you may already know about wine (but might not). You may find something interesting!
- Some types of wine are better for you than others.
Generally speaking, red wine is better for you than white wine. However, there are also some types of red wines that are better for you than others, too. You’re looking for a red wine with a higher tannin content, so always choose more astringent and dry wines for this purpose. A lower alcohol content is also better for you than a higher one. You can find several different types of red wines that fit into these categories, so try them all and see which one is your favorite. - Red wine doesn’t have as many sulfites as white wine does.
Sulfites are derived from sulfur, which is a mineral your body needs to survive and function properly. However, having too much sulfur in your diet can cause problems related to inflammation, such as joint pain, worsening arthritis, digestive issues, migraines, and more. Many people are trying to cut back on sulfur and sulfites because of this. If you’re looking to reduce your risk for inflammatory issues but still want to drink wine, stick with white wine instead of red for best results. - Older wine may taste better, but younger wine is healthier.
It’s no secret that older wine is considered higher quality and better in taste. But if you’re looking for more health benefits in your wine, stick to the younger stuff. Younger red wine has a lot more tannin in it than older wine does—and tannin is what makes it good for you. A dry, young red wine is one of the healthiest options in the world of wine drinking. - White wines cannot age as long as red wines can.
Because red wine contains tannin, which is not found in white wine, it is capable of aging for a longer time without breaking down and becoming unpleasant. White wine cannot do this, so you’ll never find a white wine as old as a red wine—and if you do, chances are very good that it isn’t going to taste great anymore. Always buy a red wine if you’re planning to age it before you drink it. - The older the wine, the lighter its color.
You may think it should be the other way around, but actually, if a wine is old, it’s going to be pale in color. This is just a natural part of the aging process of wine, and it can be an indicator that you’re drinking a high-quality older wine, too. If you’re served a red wine that looks a little too pale, check out the year—it might be a much better wine than you think. - Wine is stored on its side for a reason.
If you’ve ever wondered why it’s recommended to store wine on its side rather than standing up, there’s actually a very good reason for this. If wine is kept standing up for a very long time, the cork will dry out and may eventually rot and fall into the wine. This would, of course, ruin the wine. However, if you’re just storing wine for a few days while you work through a bottle, you don’t really have to worry about this! - There is a wrong way to hold a wine glass.
Always hold your wine glass at the bottom of the stem near the base. Hold it with your thumb on one side of the stem and your other fingers wrapped around the other side lightly. This is polite wine drinking etiquette, but it also makes it easier for you to swirl the wine if you want to. And, as an added bonus, the heat from your hand won’t overly warm any wine you’re drinking chilled, too. - A glass of wine contains the same level of antioxidants as 20 glasses of apple juice.
If you’re trying to improve your intake of antioxidants, you can make a big difference just by having a glass of wine every day. Wine contains tons of antioxidants that can help your body fight off cancer and reduce your risk overall, too. You probably don’t have the time (or desire) to drink 20 glasses of apple juice a day, but a glass of red wine at night can be a great way to relax and keep your body health at the same time. - Wine is swirled in a glass to help release the aromas and make it taste better.
Do you worry about looking too pretentious or silly when you swirl your glass of wine? This is actually totally acceptable and even recommended behavior for anyone who’s tasting wine for the first time. Swirling the wine releases the aromas present in it, and since taste is linked very closely to smell, it can help you improve your wine tasting experience overall. So the next time you order a glass of wine, take your time to hold it the right way (check out #7 for a refresher!) and give it a swirl. You’ll be glad you did. - Wine has tons of health benefits.
Okay, so you probably do know this one. But did you know wine can do more than just help you reduce your risk for heart disease? It can help fight off cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other diseases as well. It’s even good for helping you lower bad cholesterol while improving your levels of good cholesterol. Overall, if you want to improve your health, a little bit of wine every day is the way to go.