red wine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “red wine” mean?
A type of wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties, with a colour ranging from light red to deep purple, produced by fermenting the juice with the grape skins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties, with a colour ranging from light red to deep purple, produced by fermenting the juice with the grape skins.
The beverage category encompassing all wines made from red grapes, often associated with specific flavours (e.g., tannins, berries, oak), occasions (dining, celebrations), and cultural practices (e.g., wine tasting, ageing). It can also metaphorically represent sophistication, indulgence, or relaxation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'flavour' vs. 'flavor'). In formal contexts like wine lists, the same international terminology (e.g., 'Pinot Noir', 'Cabernet Sauvignon') is used. The phrase 'house red' is common in both.
Connotations
Similar connotations of sophistication, dining, and adult leisure. In the UK, may have slightly stronger historical associations with continental European culture. In the US, may be more frequently referenced in health context discussions (e.g., 'red wine benefits').
Frequency
Very high and comparable frequency in both varieties, given the global wine culture.
Grammar
How to Use “red wine” in a Sentence
[drink/have/serve/pour] red wine[pair/match] red wine with [food][prefer] red wine to whiteThis [is/tastes like] a [quality] red wineVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red wine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should red-wine the menu for the beef course.
- They're planning to red-wine their cellar collection.
American English
- The chef decided to red-wine the pairing suggestion.
adverb
British English
- The walls were painted red-wine coloured.
American English
- The fabric faded to a red-wine hue.
adjective
British English
- A red-wine sauce complemented the steak.
- She prefers red-wine glasses for Burgundy.
American English
- He spilled a red-wine stain on the carpet.
- The recipe calls for a red-wine vinegar reduction.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hospitality, retail (e.g., 'Our red wine sales increased by 15% this quarter'), and marketing copy.
Academic
Used in viticulture, oenology, chemistry (e.g., 'The polyphenol content of red wine'), history, and sociology studies.
Everyday
Common in social dining, shopping, and casual conversation (e.g., 'Shall we get a bottle of red wine for dinner?').
Technical
In wine production and tasting notes, specifying varieties (e.g., 'The malolactic fermentation for this red wine lasted four weeks').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “red wine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “red wine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red wine”
- Using 'a red wine' incorrectly in non-count contexts (e.g., 'I like a red wine' instead of 'I like red wine').
- Pronouncing 'wine' as 'vine' (/vaɪn/ vs. /waɪn/).
- Misspelling as 'red vine'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable when referring to the substance ('I drink red wine'). It becomes countable when referring to types, varieties, or servings ('We tasted three Australian red wines', 'I'll have two red wines, please').
Generally, red wine is served at 'cellar temperature' or slightly below room temperature (around 12-18°C or 55-65°F), but lighter reds like Beaujolais can benefit from light chilling. It is not typically served as cold as white wine.
The key difference is skin contact. For red wine, the dark grape skins are left in contact with the juice during fermentation, imparting colour, tannins, and flavour. For white wine, the juice is usually separated from the skins before fermentation.
Yes, in a compound modifier form, often hyphenated (e.g., 'red-wine vinegar', 'a red-wine stain', 'red-wine drinker'). It functions as a noun adjunct.
A type of wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties, with a colour ranging from light red to deep purple, produced by fermenting the juice with the grape skins.
Red wine is usually neutral to formal in register.
Red wine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈwaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛd ˈwaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Red wine and velvet”
- “Paints the town red (idiom related to celebration, not directly to wine)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RED grapes make RED wine. Imagine the RED juice staining a white cloth.
Conceptual Metaphor
RED WINE IS A COMPLEX PERSON (e.g., 'bold', 'young', 'mature', 'well-rounded', 'harsh'). RED WINE IS SOPHISTICATION (e.g., 'the choice of connoisseurs').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a traditional British synonym for a type of red wine?