A lot of attention is being paid to the benefits of drinking red wine these days. According to the Mayo Clinic web site, studies have suggested that red wine contains ingredients that are heart friendly. It's believed that red wine increases the amount of good cholesterol in the body and keeps the lining of theblood vessels healthy. Red wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols which seem to be beneficial for the heart. These include a high level of flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in a number of foods and drinks, but red wine has a much higher amount than regular grape juice or white wine. Red wine also contains Nonflavonoids. The Nonflavonoids are receiving the most atttention, especially the Resveratrol which is thought to prevent fat cells from clogging arteries as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels.

This doesn't mean that the more red wine you drink, the better. Drinking too much alcohol of any type can have adverse affects like high blood pressure, liver diseases, and some cancers. If adding red wine as a component for a healthy heart regimen, moderate amounts are advised, with a maximum of one or two glasses per day.

Red wine is made from red or black grapes. It's the skin of the grapes that gives the wine its color. These skins add tannin which gives the wine its dry taste. As wine ages, the tannin becomes less pronounced.

Red wine is usually served with a meal, as opposed to by itself. Red wine goes best with red meats, like beef. It's thought that the tannin in red wine contains iron, which will produce an unpleasant aftertaste if served with fish. The iron causes the fish to decompose faster, causing the foul taste.

It's widely believed that red wine should be served at room temperature. This is not necessarily the case. The wine can become too warm. The wine can be chilled in the refrigerator for about a half hour to slightlly chill it. However, if the wine gets too cold, it will taste flat.

Before serving the wine, open the bottle and allow the wine to breathe or aerate. This will enhance the flavor of the wine. Very often, red wine is poured into decanters to assist in the breathing process.