There are dozens of red wines produced throughout the world. Here is a summary of the major red wines organized by grape type.
Aglianico — Almost exclusive to Italy, this full-bodied wine has high tannin and acidity while producing flavors of black cherry, plum, blackberry, fig and pomegranate.
Barbarossa — Found primarily in Italy and France, this is a medium-bodied, fruity red wine.
Barbera — More than three-quarters of the world’s Barbera is grown in Italy, with the U.S. being the second largest producer. This medium-bodied wine can have big fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and plum. Unoaked Barbera highlights the cherry and berry flavors while oaked Barbera can take on richer fruit flavors with hints of chocolate.
Cabernet Franc — Nearly two-thirds of the Cabernet Franc is grown in France where it is commonly blended in Bordeaux wines. But on its own, Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied with moderate fruit flavors of plum, raspberry, strawberry and roasted red pepper. The Cabernet Franc grape is the parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon — This full-bodied wine has high tannin and big fruit flavors that include black currant, black cherry, blackberry and red currant. This is used in Bordeaux blends.
Carignan — A medium-bodied wine with big fruit flavors of black currant, blackberry, raspberry, cranberry and plum. Two-thirds of Carignan is grown in France where it is used in blended wines.
Carménère — Three-quarters of Carménère is grown in Chile. This medium-bodied wine has fruit flavors of plum, raspberry, blackberry and green bell pepper. Unoaked, this wine highlights the red fruit flavors while oaked versions tend to accentuate flavors of blueberry, black pepper, with hints of chocolate and caramel.
Cinsaut — A light-bodied red used primarily in blends throughout France and South Africa.
Gamay — Predominantly grown in the Beaujolais region of France, this light-bodied wine tends to be higher in acidity with moderate fruit flavors of raspberry, red currant, and sour cherry. Beaujolais Nouveau (made from the Gamay grape) is sold in its vintage year within a couple of months of harvest and has flavors of bubble gum and banana.
Grenache — This medium to full-bodied wine is lighter in color and can exhibit flavors of candied fruit, orange rind, and ruby red grapefruit. Depending on where it is grown, it can also take on flavors of raspberry, cherry, licorice, oregano, lavender and tobacco. Also included in the Rhône blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM).
Malbec — Nearly two-thirds of Malbec is grown in Argentina while France is also a large producer. This is a full-bodied wine with big fruit flavors of plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Oak aging adds chocolate and tobacco flavors.
Mencía — Three-quarters of the Mencía is produced in Spain with the remaining grown in Portugal. This medium to full-bodied wine has moderate fruit flavors of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate. This high-acidity wine is often compared to Merlot.
Merlot — This dark red full-bodied wine can have big flavors of black cherry, raspberry and plum with essences of tobacco, vanilla, mocha and clove. Often found to be smooth, rounded and easy drinking compared to a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Montepulciano — Almost exclusively grown in Italy, this medium to full-bodied wine has moderate fruit flavors of boysenberry, cherry and plum. While produced in several regions of Italy, the majority comes from Abruzzo and will be identified as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo on the label.
Mourvèdre — Spain produces more than two-thirds of the world’s Mourvèdre with France being the second largest producer. This full-bodied wine has high tannin and big fruit flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and plum. Oak aging adds chocolate and tobacco flavors. Also included in the Rhône blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM).
Nebbiolo — Ninety percent of Nebbiolo is grown in Italy’s Piedmont and Lombardy regions. This full-bodied wine has big tannins and high acidity. Fruit flavors include cherry, fig and cranberry with leather coming from oak aging. Look for these wines having “Barolo” or “Barbaresco” on their labels, indicating the sub-regions where they are grown in Piedmont.
Negroamaro — Translating as “black bitter,” this grape is nearly exclusively grown in Italy. This is a big fruit-flavored wine with blackberry, plum and black cherry dominating the taste.
Nero d’Avola — Another wine nearly exclusively grown in Italy. This full-bodied wine has high tannin and big fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and plum.
Petit Verdot — Grown in France, Spain, Australia, South Africa and Chile, this full-bodied wine has big tannin and fruit flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and plum. While produced as a single varietal wine, it is commonly used in blending, including France’s Left Bank Bordeaux.
Petite Sirah — There is nothing petite about this wine, other than the small grapes used to make it. This full-bodied wine has high tannin and big fruit flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry and prune. Oak aging can bring out flavors of chocolate and pepper.
Pinot Noir — A light to medium-bodied wine with flavors of fresh red cherries, black cherries, strawberries, raspberries, cola and vanilla. The red wine produced in Burgundy is made from the Pinot Noir grape.
Pinotage — Most all Pinotage is grown in South Africa. This is a full-bodied wine with moderately high tannin and fruit flavors that include blackberry, fig, black cherry and red cherry. This grape is a cross between Cinsaut and Pinot Noir.
Sangiovese — When grown and produced in the Italian Chianti region, this wine is called Chianti. Everywhere else, Sangiovese is a varietal with flavors of strawberry, cherry, leather and tobacco with lingering fruit flavors.
Syrah / Shiraz — Referred to as Shiraz in Australia, this full-bodied wine is grown throughout the world with France, Australia, Spain, Argentina, South Africa and the U.S. being the largest producers. This wine has big fruit flavors of plum, blackberry and blueberry while oak aging adds chocolate and tobacco hints.
Tempranillo — This is Spain’s top wine where nearly 80% of all Tempranillo is grown. This full-bodied wine has big tannin. Fruit flavors include cherry, strawberry, blackberry, fig and raisin.
Touriga Nacional — This wine is nearly exclusively grown in Portugal. It is a full-bodied wine with high tannin and big fruit flavors of plum, blueberry, and raspberry. While commonly used in the production of Port, Touriga Nacional is also used to make varietal wine.
Zinfandel — While this grape originated in Italy where it is called Primitivo, nearly two-thirds of Zinfandel is now grown in the U.S. This full-bodied wine has big fruit flavors of blackberry and boysenberry — often referred to as “jammy” Zinfandels. Others take on peppery flavors similar to bell pepper, white pepper or black pepper. When heavily oaked, this wine can also have flavors of caramel, chocolate and tobacco.