If you are a fan of structured, full of character and big red wines, then you might have to face two big challenges. The first and most common thought when it comes to big red wines, is to find the perfect food match to delight friends and family. The second one should be for sure, to end up the party with your teeth too tainted with red wine. Thank god, and lucky us fancy ladies… we live in the Wine Wipes era!

To go strictly geeky, anthocyanins are the chemical molecules responsible for the red and purple color in most of the fruits and vegetables, and of course in grapes. They are located in the grape skins, and they can be in various concentrations depending on the grape variety and the amount of sun exposure that a specific vineyard gets. Also, the winemaker counts on several cellar techniques to increase a wine color. 

Have you ever wondered what are the most colored- and yummy- wines available on the shelves? Here are the definite top 5 most colored red wines, and an easy guide to pair them perfectly:

Syrah 

This grape is originally from the Rhône Valley of France, and it is known in Australia as Shiraz. Notes of blueberry, black plum, milk chocolate, tobacco, and spices. It can be found from different winemaking regions, all over the world, from Washington and Oregon to Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Italy, and Spain. It is powerful, rich and rather meaty, and has a unique opaque color and great intensity. 

It pairs beautifully with Barbecue, especially spareribs, braised beef, grilled vegetables, and hamburgers. It can also go great with barbecued and braised chicken and lamb, and aged hard cheeses like Gouda.

Pinotage

Pinotage is a grape crossing of Cinsaut and Pinot Noir, and it came out with an extremely dark color with a big body and astringency, nothing like its progenitors. Pinotage commonly expresses with purple fruits and black fruits, and sometimes raspberry, red licorice, and red bell pepper. If you are hosting a barbecue, you need to give Pinotage a try. It also pairs great with game fish or a hearty winter bean soup, ratatouille or curry.

Malbec

Malbec is the signature grape from Argentina, but it originally comes from France, where it is known as Côt. These wines are known for its round body and intense flavors of dark and cooked fruit, floral hints and a slightly sweet finish. Notes of red plum, blackberry, vanilla, tobacco, leather, and cocoa are commonly found in Malbec. As Argentinians now well, it a great choice with red meats, especially with flank, sirloin, and skirt stakes. Malbec frequently shows a bright magenta rim and opaque purple color, with amazing color intensity. We all know about the ever so common, "Malbec mouth," that's why we use Wine Wipes to keep those stains off!

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is Spain’s signature grape, and it is produced in many styles. When young, it can be fresh and fruity. With oak and age, it does marvels and develops notes of dust, tobacco, and leather. Most commonly this grape variety has flavors that also include cherry, dried fig, cedar, tobacco, and dill. It goes great with lasagna, pizza, and dishes with tomato-based dishes. It has a deep bright ruby red color, and because of traditional oak aging in Spain, Tempranillo often has a ruddy-orange hue.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The world’s most famous red wine comes originally from Bordeaux, and it is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon has a greatly high concentration and body, which makes it really age-worthy. It develops naturally notes of Blackberry, blackcurrant, cedar, baking spices and graphite. Cabernet is nearly opaque but not as opaque as Syrah, but it also has a great concentration of color. At a young age, the colors are dark ruby in the center to a magenta tinged edge.