Different Types of Wine
What is Red wine
Red wine is an alcoholic beverage made by
fermenting the juice of dark-skinned grapes.
Red wine is made with dark-skinned rather
than light-skinned grapes. During red wine
production, the winemaker allows pressed
grape juice, called must, to macerate and
ferment with the dark grape skins, which
adds color, flavor, and tannin to the wine.
Top Varieties Red Wine
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular
and famous red wine grape varieties in the world.
While the historic home of Cabernet Sauvignon
is the Bordeaux wine region of France,
winemakers in California’s Napa Valley and
Australia’s Coonawarra wine region are also
making world-class Cabernet Sauvignon wines,
some of which rival those made in Bordeaux.
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically deep red
in colour with moderate acidity. They often have
notes of blackcurrant and spices and have
moderate to good tannin structure.
Pinot Noir is part of the Pinot grape family that
includes Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot
Meunier. This grape variety is most closely
associated with France’s Burgundy wine region.
Due to differences in terroir, Pinot Noir wines
created in two different villages in Burgundy may
differ widely, adding to the complexity of the
wine. Pinot Noir’s popularity has led to it being
embraced by winemakers in northern Italy,
Germany, Chile, South Africa, Australia, New
Zealand, California (especially Sonoma) and
Oregon (especially the Willamette Valley
The popularity of the Merlot red grape
variety trails only that of Cabernet
Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Bordeaux, in the
southwest of France, is the home of the best
Merlot wines in the world. Within Bordeaux,
the wine regions of Saint-Emilion and
Pomerol particularly stand out. Outside of
France, other places to find examples of high-
quality Merlot wines include Italy, Chile
(especially the Colchagua Valley), California,
and Washington State.
Malbec is generally considered to be the
national grape variety of Argentina. The
Malbec wines of Argentina tend to be softer
and less tannic than those found in the
southwest of France, where Malbec
originated. Within Argentina, the primary
wine growing regions for Malbec include
Mendoza, La Rioja, San Juan and
Catamarca. Based on the success of Malbec
within Argentina, Chilean winemakers in the
Central Valley are also working on creating
high-quality Malbec wines.
Syrah (also known as “Shiraz”) is most
closely associated with the Rhone Valley in
southeastern France, but it is truly an
international grape variety. In the New World,
Syrah has become very popular in Chile,
South Africa, New Zealand, Australia,
California and Washington State. In
France, the grape variety is known as Syrah;
however, in New World wine markets such as
Australia, it is usually known as Shiraz.
Grenache (known as “Garnacha” in
Spain) is one of the most popular red
grape varieties in the world. The best
Grenache wines can be found in
France (especially the Rhône Valley)
and Spain (especially Rioja and
Aragon). Grenache grapes are used to
produce wines that are berry-
flavored, spicy in subtle ways, and
soft to drink. They also tend to have a
relatively high alcohol content.
Sangiovese is the most popular red grape variety in
Italy. It can be found everywhere in central Italy, but
the acclaimed home of Sangiovese is Tuscany, where
it has been used to create blends like Chianti and Vino
Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as the famed “Super
Tuscans.” Sangiovese, while capable of ageing well, is
best enjoyed as a young wine, when it has fresh, fruit-
forward flavours. If aged in oak barrels, it can acquire
a more complex, oaky character. While Sangiovese is
not as aromatic as other red grape varietals like Pinot
Noir and Syrah, it typically will produce a very rich
flavour profile that includes cherries and strawberries.
Tempranillo often referred to as “Spain’s
noble grape,” is primarily grown on the
Iberian Peninsula, especially within the
Ribera del Duero and Rioja wine regions.
The Tempranillo grape produces full-
bodied, ruby red wines that can take on
some very distinctive aromas and flavours,
including plum, berries, tobacco and
vanilla. When aged in oak barrels, these
flavours become even more intense.
Petite Sirah (also known as “Durif”) is a
red grape variety that originated in France
during the 1880s as a genetic crossing
between Syrah and Peloursin Noir. The
“petite” in the name refers to the
relatively small size of the berries and not
the vine. Compared to Syrah, Petite Sirah
wines have a darker purple colour, as well
as a rounder and fuller taste.
Nebbiolo is a red grape variety that is a specialty
of the Piedmont wine region of northwest Italy.
The most famous Nebbiolo wines are Barolo and
Barbaresco. When young, Nebbiolo wines are
light-coloured and highly tannic. However, as
they age, they acquire more complex and
appealing aromas, such as those of violets, wild
herbs, cherries, berries, and tobacco.
