Red Wine vs White Wine Differences, Which is Better or Healthy

Posted by Anil kumar on December 2nd, 2020

Usually, the preference for red wine and white wine is a matter of taste. But now that the people have become more and more aware of the health benefits, they want to choose the healthiest pick. There are a lot of factors associated with the color of the wine- ranging from the production method, food pairings, flavor profiles, geography, and more.

Over the years, red wine has drawn a lot of attention for its potential to lower the risks of heart diseases and increase lifespan. But does the best white wine come close to the red in the matters of health benefits? Let’s find out and review the differences between the two.

Nutrition value

Both the reds and whites are considered healthy in moderation. But red wine is a little healthier than its counterpart as it contains tannins and grape skins that have antioxidants. Also, a glass of red wine contains 4 grams of carbohydrates and a glass of white wine contains 5 grams of carbohydrates. So backed up by research, red wine has a higher nutritional value.

Calories

A lot of us consider calories as the deciding factor in choosing a drink. And why not, calories do affect our dietary intakes, even if it's through alcoholic drinks. When comparing red wines and white wines, the white wines are a little on the lighter side than the reds. White wine has 115 calories per glass and red wine has 125 calories per glass.

Resveratrol

There’s a particular antioxidant abundantly present in purple and red grapes skins called polyphenol. Some studies have shown that resveratrol may be the key ingredient in red wine that reduces heart-related problems like blood clots, damage to blood vessels, and bad cholesterol levels which can further convert into heart diseases. Although, there’s more research being done for a solid and relevant outcome of this notion. 

Alcohol content

The alcohol content is an essential part of wine for its intoxicating effects. Without alcohol, we would just be drinking simple grape juice. When comparing the reds and the whites, on average, a glass of red wine has 3.1 grams whereas a glass of white wine contains approx 2.9 grams of alcohol. So in general, red wines have more alcohol by volume than whites. There are a lot of factors for the alcohol content in the wines. Red grapes are harvested at a later stage when they are ripe than white grapes. At this point, they have more sugar content in them. So more the sugar content, the more alcohol percentage in wines.

Popular healthy red wines

Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet-Merlot 2005 Magnum

Merlot is a popular red wine that provides several health benefits. Some of them include a lower risk of chronic diseases, preventing inflammation, protecting against degenerative diseases, preventing constipation, cramps, and bloating.

Sight: This wine has a fiery red color, just like a solid brick, which is expected of old wine. It is thick and full of tannins which shows the high flavor and color extraction by the winemaker.

Smell: An excellent nose of dark berries, blackcurrant, roasted tomatoes, and hints of Cuban cigars. Altogether, it makes for a balanced bouquet.

Taste: Bold taste of mocha, tobacco, cassis, and black fruits. With the oaky, leathery, and earthy notes, it also has a tannic and dry feel, leading to a structured finish. 

Chandon de Briailles ‘Ile des Vergelesses” Organic Pernand Vergelesses Premier Cru 2015

Pinot Noir is the best red wine in Singapore that can be considered the healthiest among the reds. As you already know that a glass of pinot can relax you after a busy day, but it also has the highest content of resveratrol- an antioxidant that helps in improving arterial functions. It also has cancer-fighting benefits, neurological benefits, and cardiovascular benefits. So a glass of pinot in moderation is great for a healthy heart! 

Sight: It is a lovely burgundy and layers of ruby in the glass and has quite a lot of tannins.

Smell: The wine has an aromatic floral bouquet and the nose of black fruits and red fruits along with an earthy, mushroomy aroma to it.

Taste: Medium body with velvety and structured tannins. It has a distinctively fruity taste with high acidity and a long, smooth finish to it.

Popular Healthy White Wines

Em’s Table Organic Riesling 2016

Riesling is surely a white wine for a summer refresher, but it also provides some health benefits. It can help with heart and metabolism-related improvements. It is also shown in studies that it helps improve cholesterol levels as well as lung functions.

Sight: Em’s Table Organic Riesling shows a bright straw with green vibrance in the glass which makes it a great option for a refreshing summer sundowner.

Smell: This wine has a vibrant bouquet of citrus, lemon, butter, oak, and toast. Hints of apricot and straw can also be traced.

Taste: Clean crisp, and fresh to the palate with lime, lemon, and a significant toasty flavor. It has hints of butter but also an acidic aftertaste that cuts through it.

Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2016

Pinot Grigio is known to reduce the level of heart diseases by lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol, and keeping the blood vessels unclogged. The resveratrol antioxidant present in the grapes also helps in inhibiting cancer-producing enzymes in the cells of the body.

Sight:  Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2016 is a pretty golden pink in a glass that brings out the bling in the eyes on a super hot day.

Smell: A distinct bouquet of apricot, melon, and pear with whiffs of honey and citrus gives this wine a refreshing nose.

Taste: On the palette, this pinot grigio has a zesty lemon zip along with flavors of pear, melon, and strawberry. It is medium-bodied and has hints of fresh tropical fruits with a dry and acidic finish.

While the red and white wines taste great and it is easy to go for another glass on any occasion, remember to have it in moderation to get the utmost health benefits.