Wines are very popular among great personalities, youths, politicians, normal people and aristocrats. Two popular varieties of wines are Red and White.
However, the primary distinction between white and red wine is the utilised grape variety and the difference in the production method.
Key Takeaways
- Red wine comes from red or black grapes, while white wine comes from white or green grapes.
- The winemaking process for red wine includes fermentation with grape skins, giving it color and tannins; white wine does not undergo this process.
- Red wine generally has a higher alcohol content and a more robust flavor than white wine.
Red Wine vs White Wine
Red wine is made from red or black grapes that are crushed and fermented at higher temperatures, producing a fuller-bodied wine with higher alcohol content. White wine is made from white or green grapes, fermented at lower temperatures than red, and can range from dry to sweet, with flavors of apple, and tropical fruits.

Red wine contains more and stronger antioxidants, making it a healthier alternative. With any meal, red wines make for an interesting pairing.
There are many different types of red wine to choose from, each of which can be paired with any dish. The tannin level and percentage in red wines are higher.
A higher amount of sugar is seen in red wines. White wines have a lower sugar content than red wines.
In comparison to red wine, white wine has fewer antioxidants. When deciding on a food-and-wine pairing, white wines lack the connection.
As a result, they are frequently served with lighter fare or alone. White wines have an extremely low tannin content and percentage.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Red Wine | White Wine |
---|---|---|
Seeds and pulp | Includes | Excludes |
Colour | Intense violet, brick red, brown. | Yellow, golden. |
Ageing container | Oak barrels | stainless-steel vats |
With food | It goes well with food | It doesn’t go well with food |
Sugar content | Higher | Lower |
Tannin content | Higher | Lower |
Antioxidants | Higher | Lower |
What is Red Wine?
Red wines are those that have brilliant red colour and are made solely from red grapes. On the other hand, the outer skin or pulp of the grapes is included in the preparation process.
Crimson wine is made from grapes that are black or red. The colour of the red wine varies from deep violet to a brick red and perhaps a hint of brown.
Both the seeds and the outer skin or pulp of the grapes are used in the production of red wine. After the red wine has been prepared, it is stored in a container to age.
These wines, on the other hand, are kept in oak barrels to age. With any meal, red wines provide an interesting pairing.
There are many different types of red wine to choose from, all of which can be paired with any random dish. Tannin concentration and percentage are frequently higher in red wines.
Red wines have a higher sugar content than white wines. Red wine contains more and stronger antioxidants, making it a healthier alternative.

What is White Wine?
White wines are those that have a pale yellow colour and are made entirely from yellow or green grapes. On the other hand, the grapes’ outer skin or pulp is not involved in the preparation process.
Both green and yellow grapes are used to make white wine. The seeds of the grapes, as well as their outer skin/pulp, are not used in the production of white wine.
When the preparation procedure for white wines is completed, stainless steel vats are used to keep them until the ageing process can begin when it comes to pairing white wines with food.
White wines frequently lack the connection. As a result, they’re frequently served with lighter fare or on their own.
The colour of white wine varies from yellow to golden in appearance. The tannin concentration and percentage in white wines are quite low.
The sugar in white wines is lower than in red wines. White wine contains significantly fewer antioxidants than red wine.

Main Differences Between Red and White Wine
- Red wines are those with a bright red appearance and are exclusively prepared from red grapes.
- However, the outer skin or pulp of the grapes is also included in the process of preparation. On the other hand, white wines are those types of wines that possess an appearance of pale yellow colour.
- And are exclusively prepared from yellow or green grapes. However, the outer skin or pulp of the grapes are not included in the process of preparation.
- Red wine is prepared from black or red-coloured grapes. On the other hand, white wine is prepared from both green and yellow coloured grapes.
- The appearance of the red wine ranges from intense violet colour to sometimes brick red to somewhat brown as well. On the other hand, the appearance of the white wine ranges from yellow to golden in colour.
- In the process of preparation of Red wine, both the seeds of the grapes and their outer skin or pulp are used. On the other hand, in the process of preparation of White wine, neither the seeds of the grapes nor their out-skin/pulp are used.
- After the preparation of the Red wine, they are kept in some container for ageing. However, these wines are stored in oak barrels where their ageing occurs.
- On the other hand, stainless steel vats are used to store white wines when their preparation process ends and thus are stored to start the process of ageing.
- Red wines possess an interesting combination with any food type. Different varieties of red wine are available, which can be clubbed with any randomly chosen food.
- On the other hand, white wines lack a connection when determining the combination between food and white wines. Thus, they go either with lighter food or without food.
- Red wines contain higher content and percentage of tannin. On the other hand, the content and percentage of tannin present in white wines is very low.
- Red wines possess a higher percentage of sugar. On the other hand, White wines’ sugar content is lower than Red Wine.
- More powerful antioxidants are present in Red wine, which makes them a healthier option. On the other hand, comparatively fewer antioxidants are present in White wine than in Red wine.

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002914997003883
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf001378j
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.