Here is a summary of the major red wines organized by wine region.
Barbaresco (Italy) — Produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Barbaresco must age a minimum of 26 months before release.
Barolo (Italy) — Produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Often called the “King of Italian Wines.” Barolo must age for at least 38 months before release.
Beaujolais (France) — The only grape permitted is the Gamay grape. Light-bodied, fresh and fruity reds are labeled Beaujolais. Beaujolais-Villages is slightly fuller bodied with greater fruit intensity. The Crus Beaujolais wines are more perfumed, luscious, concentrated and complex. Generally speaking, the wines of Chiroubles, Régnié and St.-Amour are the lighter-bodied wines, while those from Juliénas, Fleurie, Morgon, and Moulin-à-Vent are fuller-bodied.
Beaujolais Nouveau (France) — Made with shorter fermentation periods and bottled within weeks of harvest. Released on the third Thursday of November, these wines are very bright, fresh and red-fruit flavored (cherry, strawberry, raspberry), soft and easy to drink.
Bolgheri (Italy) — The reds are at most 50% Sangiovese, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and others.
Bordeaux (France) — Bordeaux wines can be produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Brunello di Montalcino (Italy) — Produced from 100% Sangiovese in Tuscany’s Montalcino district.
Burgundy (France) — Burgundy wines are generally produced from Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Chianti (Italy) — Sangiovese must comprise at least 75% of a Chianti with Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon or the white Trebbiano or Malvasia making up the rest. Chianti Classico is considered of better quality and is often identified by the black rooster on the label. Chianti Riserva is the best quality and must be aged 2 years.
Haut-Médoc (France) — Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Hermitage (France) — Full-bodied, complex, big, lush and tannic reds made from the Syrah grape. Flavors of raspberry, cassis, black currant, pepper and spice are prominent.
Médoc (France) — Primarily produced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Montepulciano (Italy) — Primarily Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese) with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Rhône (France) — Northern Rhône wines account for approximately 5% of wine production and are predominantly Syrah. Southern Rhône wines are generally Grenache-based with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault — often referred to as GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre).
Rioja (Spain) — Tempranillo is the primary grape used in Rioja wines, while Grenache, Carignan and Graciano are also used. The wines from La Rioja Alavesa and La Rioja Alta are more delicate than those made in La Rioja Baja, which are bigger, higher alcohol wines.
St. Émilion (France) — Generally produced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
Super Tuscan (Italy) — An unofficial category created outside the traditional Italian wine classification system. Super Tuscans can use Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot or Syrah. The common themes are intensely fruity, rich, thick texture, aged in French oak.
Valpolicella (Italy) — Primarily made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes.
Red Wine Blends
- Meritage — (Rhymes with “heritage”) An American term for Bordeaux-style red blended wines, combining “merit” with “heritage.” For reds, the grapes typically used include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.