13 of The Best Semi-Sweet Red Wines
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the Dust descend;
Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie
Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and–sans End!
(The Rubaiyat, Omar Khayyám)
Wine is prepared from fruits (grapes, apples, elderberry or pomegranate) using a natural process called fermentation. The chemicals in grapes allow them to ferment sans any additional acids, chemicals, or sugars. Yeasts digest the grapes and convert the fruits’ sugary content into carbon dioxide and alcohol.
Only black or dark grapes are used for the preparation of red wines, while the white ones can be manufactured from greens as well as red grapes. The taste can be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. There are many health advantages of red wine, and its consumption in moderation positively influences the condition of one’s heart.
The origin of this alcoholic drink can be successfully traced back to Georgia in 6,000 B.C. It is said to be originated by a freak accident when the yeasts consumed the grapes kept in containers and transformed the sugars in the grapes into alcohol. The process of making wines was popularized by the Greeks in the Mediterranean, and the industrious Romans made it a big trade. The Europeans and the Spanish introduced it to the local markets of America, Africa, and Australia.
The following thirteen semi-sweet red wines are worth trying.
1. Alfasi Mistico Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Chile
Region: Maule
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Kosher, Still Wine
This wine sports an intense reddish purple hue and is made at Maule Valley in Chile. It comes with flavors of cherry, blackberry, and plum. It can be paired with cheese and grilled meat.
2. Markovic Estates Shiraz Grenache
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Grape Varietal: Syrah, Grenache
Type: Still Wine
This bloody-red wine is full-bodied and earthy. The spiced up red fruits contribute a vanilla taste to the spirit.
3. Della Robbia Rosso
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino-Alto Adige
Grape Varietal: Sangiovese, Montepulciano
Type: Still Wine
This wine was named after the famous ceramicist and sculptor from the Renaissance era, who invented the contemporary ceramic design and style. He was famous for his charm, wit, and a great sense of sophistication and refinement. This wine does inspire quite a few unforgettable conversations and makes the evenings more enjoyable and memorable.
4. Floria Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Chile
Region: Central Valley
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Still Wine
The garnet-red color of this wine is complemented by a violet tinge, and it offers a distinctly sweet scent of cherry and plum. It can be paired with blueberries and chocolates. The spirit is unmistakably intense and appropriately balanced with a silky finish and a smooth texture.
5. Castillo del Conde
Country: Spain
Region: Valencia
Grape Varietal: Non-varietal Red Blend
Type: Still Wine
The wine has an intense cherry-like red color and is prepared exclusively from Garnacha grapes. This spirit smells like Garnacha blended with forest fruits. It is appropriately balanced, comes with a light profile, and pretty accessible to drink.
6. Markovic Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Still Wine
This red spirit has flavors of black and red fruits accompanied by general hints of chilly, olive, and herbs which bestows it a complex yet savory nature. It can be paired with risotto, roasted white or red meats, pasta or ravioli.
7. Luscious Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Chile
Region: Maule
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Still Wine
This luxury red wine is prepared from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes used by the premium Bordeaux Wines, though it is made to vinify is such a manner that gives the spirit a mellow and luscious taste.
8. Khvanchkara
Country: United States of America
Region: Georgia
Grape Varietal: Alexandria and Mudzhuretuli
Type: Fruit Wine
This is necessarily an upmarket, semi-sweet red wine coming from Western Georgia. It comes with a distinctive and intense bouquet and also with a flavor of raspberry. It has an appearance of dark ruby. The spirit can be paired with desserts, spicy foods, fresh fruits, and cheese.
9. Alazanis Valley
Country: United States of America
Region: Georgia
Grape Varietal: Non-varietal Red Blend
Type: Still Wine
It is prepared from such wine ingredients that are intentionally boiled partially after extracting from the red grapes. It can be paired with salads, vegetable tart, and for all dishes baked in an oven.
10. Rashi Claret
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Grape Varietal: Non-varietal Red Blend
Type: Still Wine, Kosher
This wine tastes silky and smooth and comes with a stellar flavor. It can be paired with risotto, pasta, vegetable tarts and barbecued meats.
11. Markovic Estates Select Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Type: Still Wine
What happens when rich Merlot coming from Southern France is combined with dark red berry swirl?! This wine has flavors of vanilla, toasted bread, and coffee beans.
12. Cantina Gabriele Dolcemente
Country: Italy
Region: Barolo
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cesanese
Type: Still Wine, Kosher
This spirit can be sipped a little chilled or at room temperature also. It has a well-balanced profile and it is semi-dry. It is typically considered as sweet enough for a rookie drinker. It can be paired with grilled meats, pasta, and cheese.
13. Dolce della Rosa
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Grape Varietal: Non-varietal Red Blend
Type: Still Wine
This wine has got a ruby-red color along with hints of purple. It is characterized by a fresh and engulfing aroma and offers flavors of cherry, red fruits, wild berries, and raspberry. It has a lingering silky and smooth taste and should always be served chilled.
Trivia
- The US National Wine Day is celebrated on 25Th May every year.
- The people of Ireland believed that sprites love quality wine.
- Prince Charles pours wine in the fuel tank of his antique Aston Martin for reducing carbon emissions.
- The remnants of the famous ship Titanic contains world’s oldest cellar for wine. The bottles are still unharmed, and the ship wreckage did not cause any damage to them.