If you're going sightseeing around southern Nevada or taking a guided tour around the Grand Canyon, you can't miss out on the wine tasting opportunities in this area. Besides the coloring, red and white wines have many distinctions and nuances. Learning about these varietals will not only impress your tour guide and friends, but it will also give you a better understanding of the wine industry. The following guide offers a brief overview of the main differences between reds and whites.

How Do Red & White Wines Differ?

Red Wine

The grapes and the fermentation processes in winemaking are the main differences between the two types. In red varietals, black grapes are used to create merlots, cabernet sauvignons, and pinot noirs. This fruit is fermented with its skin and seeds intact, giving the resulting wine a deep red to purple hue and more beneficial nutrients. The skin also infuses red wine with tannins; these contribute to the dry sensation you get in your mouth when drinking this beverage. 

Red wines are usually aged in oak barrels, and they have deep, powerful flavor profiles. In some rare cases, black grapes are fermented without their seeds or skins to resemble white wines, creating variations like white pinot noir. They may also be aged in steel containers instead of oak to preserve floral flavors.

The grapes used in red wines are usually picked late in the season when they’re full of sugar, which leads to higher alcohol content. However, the fermentation process can be halted early to provide a sweeter flavor with less alcohol. Red wines pair well with rich, fatty foods, like steak. They’re often served with small plates of smoked cheeses and meats, such as prosciutto and capocollo, at wine tastings.

White Wine

This wine utilizes white grapes to create sauvignon blancs, chardonnays, rieslings, and pinot grigios. The fruit is fermented without the skin and seeds, lending the wine a clear, light color. White wines are usually aged in stainless steel vats, though styles like chardonnays are aged in wood barrels that give them buttery and oaky flavors. 

White wine is lighter, more acidic, and fruitier than red, and its alcohol content is typically lower, as well. Since they have fewer tannins, they don't give drinkers a dry mouthfeel, and they don't have as much sugar as reds. The crisper flavors pair well with lighter dishes. At wine tastings, they may be served with seafood appetizers, salads, or sweet fruits.

The professional tour guides at Laughlin Tours in Nevada can schedule a brewery or wine tasting for you and your travel companions. Since 2001, this team has been dedicated to delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. They offer sightseeing opportunities and wine tastings along Route 66, as well as tours around the Grand Canyon, Oatman, and the Hoover Dam. Their guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive, ensuring a tailored experience you won’t forget. Call (702) 420-5345 and visit them online to learn more and book a tour.