Common Types Of Red Wines.
Red wines are as varied as the red grapes that make them, and there are quite literally hundreds of varieties of red wine grapes out there. It would be almost impossible to list all the different types of grapes that there are available. Fortunately, there are a handful of grapes used most often to make the most popular and recognizable red wines. These are the ones that I want to share today.. Each grape and the wine it produces has a unique tasting profile and pairs better with some things more than others.. Today we will only be looking at varietal wines. A varietal wine is a wine made from a single grape.
Merlot:
The Merlot grape is a dark blue-colored variety of wine grape. It is used both in varietal wines and blends. The name Merlot is thought to have derived from the French word for blackbird, ‘merle’ due to the colour of the grape.
Tasting notes:
Merlot wine has a diverse range of flavors and notes. It is generally a soft and velvety wine with plum flavors. Merlot tends to be a wine that matures relatively quickly though it can still be developed over time.
Pairing advice:
Due to the diversity of Merlot, it lends itself to a broad range of pairing options. The more robust merlots pair well with grilled and charred meats while the softer and fruitier merlots match well with many types of seafood. Merlot tends to not go very well with strong flavored cheese or spicy foods which can overwhelm the fruity notes of the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon:
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is one of the world’s most widely recognizable varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing region in the world and can thrive in many different climates.
Tasting notes:
Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally known as a full-bodied wine with high tannins and acidity and the ability to age well. As the Cabernet Sauvignon is grown throughout the world and in many different climates, it has a diverse range of tasting notes.
Pairing advice:
As there are so many different styles of Cabernet Sauvignon from many different regions, where the wine comes from can really determine how it will match up with certain foods. As the Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust wine, as a general rule of thumb, it tends to go well with foods that have strong and noticeable flavors.
Malbec:
Malbec is one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of the very famous Bordeaux wine. It is a purple grape variety tending to have a dark inky colour and robust tannins.
Tasting notes:
Malbec has a similar weight and profile to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its flavors tend to be big, juicy and plush with moderately firm tannins. It has a distinctive purple colour and notes of plum, blueberry, vanilla, cocoa and sweet tobacco.
Pairing advice:
The Malbec has bold flavors and relatively high tannins, so it calls for food with bold flavors to match. Think hard cheeses, steaks, sausages or cured meats.
Pinot noir:
The name Pinot Noir is derived from the French words for pine and black. The Pinot Noir grape has tightly clustered pine cone-shaped bunches of fruit. Originally the grape was mainly associated with the Burgundy region of France, though the grape is now grown around the world, though it tends to do well in cooler climates.
Tasting notes:
Pinot Noir is known as a versatile red wine that is typically light to medium bodied with fruity tones. It holds a popular spot on the wine spectrum in that it is not too dry but also not sweet.
Pairing advice:
The Pinot Noir has a slightly delicate make-up and is perfect for many food and wine pairings. It matches well with duck, pork, veal, chicken and seafood. It is also an ideal match for Asian cuisine including sushi and sashimi.
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is an increasingly popular grape that is grown in over 10 per cent of California vineyards. It is a black-skinned wine grape that produces a typically robust red wine.
Tasting notes:
Zinfandel tends to be lighter in color than many of the red varietals. However, it’s moderate tannins, and high acidity means that it remains a bold wine. It tends to have berry, fruit and citrus flavors with notes of licorice, black pepper and black cardamom.
Pairing advice:
As Zinfandel is quite a bold wine, it pairs well with most meats that include things like pork ribs, leg of lamb or a hearty beef stew. It tends to go well with heavier tomato bases sauces.
Shiraz:
Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape variety that is grown in most wine regions in the world.
Tasting notes:
A Shiraz is generally powerfully flavored and full-bodied. As it is grown all over the world, there is a great deal of variety in terms of tasting notes and flavors that depends on the climate and soil. There are generally notes of violets, berries, chocolate and black pepper.
Pairing advice:
Generally, as the Shiraz tends to be full-bodied, it tends to pair well with grilled meats, vegetables, wild game and beef stew.
