What is one key difference between white wine and red wine production?

The key difference between white wine and red wine production lies in the inclusion of grape skins during fermentation. In the case of red wine, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice during fermentation. This process allows the wine to extract color, tannins, and flavors from the skins, which contributes to the wine's structure and complexity. This method is essential for producing the typical characteristics associated with red wines.

Conversely, white wine is generally made using only the juice of the grapes, which is typically separated from the skins prior to fermentation. This leads to a lighter, crisper profile often found in white wines. The differences in winemaking techniques and the treatment of grape materials during production are fundamental to the finished products of these two types of wines.

Other options do not accurately reflect key production processes or characteristics associated with white and red wines. For example, red wines are not always sweeter than white wines, white wines can be made from both whole and pressed grapes, and not all white wines are aged in oak barrels, as many are produced in stainless steel or other containers to maintain their fresh fruit profile.