Other Red Wines
Red wine grapes are grown the world over. Not just in Italy and
France. Eastern Europe, Spain, South Africa and even the U.S.
each have their own unique red varietals and/or blends.
Red wine grapes are grown the world over. Not just in Italy and
France. Eastern Europe, Spain, South Africa and even the U.S.
each have their own unique red varietals and/or blends.
Vinapedia.net
Wine knowledge for the wine novice
Wine knowledge for the wine novice
Mourvèdre
is best known for its blending role in wines made in the southern Rhône
region of France. Mourvèdre is a balancer in the Rhône blend and is the "M" of
GSM blends made in Australia. It is also used in wines from the Jumilla area of
Spain. Mourvèdre has a rich color and is high in acid and tannins. It's usually
used in blends, though it is sometimes bottled as a varietal in Spain and
California, and with considerable success.
Petite Syrah
Durif). It's found mostly in California where it is used in blends but also sold as
a varietal. Petite Syrah is known mostly for its rich, dark, purple color and spicy
flavor.
Pinotage
though it was not used commercially until the late 1950s. It is capable of
producing widely varied wines, with many of good quality. It has been used for
fruity, red, ageworthy wines, as well as fortified wines and red sparkling wines.
It is the primary component in any wine known as a "cape blend."
Tempranillo
and Ribera del Duero, though it is also grown in Australia. It tends to be light,
high in acid and low in alcohol, making it an excellent food wine. Spanish
wines made from Tempranillo usually spend a lot of time in oak barrels.
(Spanish wine law is pretty strict about how wine is aged and oak is very
important.) Winemakers in Australia are experiment with blending Tempranillo
with Grenache and Syrah.
Rioja
be red white, or rosé. The main grape used in red Rioja is Tempranillo, which
may be blended with Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo. Like Chiantis,
Riojas are legally classified into four grades: Rioja, Rioja Reserva and Rioja
Gran Reserva. Highly tannic, Riojas make excellent food wines.
Zinfandel
because no one is quite sure how it got to California. Recent DNA tests have
traced it to Croatia, but it's also genetically identical to Italy's Primitivo. But it has
been grown in California, particularly Amador County, for much more than a
century and is considered the state's "original varietal." Well, whatever. I love it
as much for its chewy raisiny-ness as for its mysterious history. Zinafndel often
makes wines heavy in alcohol and tannins, but also full of fruit.
- Grown In: Spain; Rhone, France; California
- Descriptors: Spicy, gamey
- Popular Pairings: Pork, lamb
is best known for its blending role in wines made in the southern Rhône
region of France. Mourvèdre is a balancer in the Rhône blend and is the "M" of
GSM blends made in Australia. It is also used in wines from the Jumilla area of
Spain. Mourvèdre has a rich color and is high in acid and tannins. It's usually
used in blends, though it is sometimes bottled as a varietal in Spain and
California, and with considerable success.
Petite Syrah
- Grown In: California; South Africa
- Descriptors: Fruity, inky, pepper, spice
- Popular Pairings: Roasted red meat, BBQ, hard cheeses
Durif). It's found mostly in California where it is used in blends but also sold as
a varietal. Petite Syrah is known mostly for its rich, dark, purple color and spicy
flavor.
Pinotage
- Grown In: South Africa; California
- Descriptors: Berry, smoky, tannic
- Popular Pairings: BBQ meats, beef, red pasta
though it was not used commercially until the late 1950s. It is capable of
producing widely varied wines, with many of good quality. It has been used for
fruity, red, ageworthy wines, as well as fortified wines and red sparkling wines.
It is the primary component in any wine known as a "cape blend."
Tempranillo
- Grown In: Spain, Australia
- Descriptors: Red fruit, strawberries, rustic, leathery
- Popular Pairings: Red meats, Mediterranean foods
and Ribera del Duero, though it is also grown in Australia. It tends to be light,
high in acid and low in alcohol, making it an excellent food wine. Spanish
wines made from Tempranillo usually spend a lot of time in oak barrels.
(Spanish wine law is pretty strict about how wine is aged and oak is very
important.) Winemakers in Australia are experiment with blending Tempranillo
with Grenache and Syrah.
Rioja
- Grown In: Rioja, Spain
- Descriptors: Black currants, cherries, licorice, tar, truffles, smoky
- Popular Pairings: Roasted beef, pork, Spanish faire
be red white, or rosé. The main grape used in red Rioja is Tempranillo, which
may be blended with Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo. Like Chiantis,
Riojas are legally classified into four grades: Rioja, Rioja Reserva and Rioja
Gran Reserva. Highly tannic, Riojas make excellent food wines.
Zinfandel
- Grown In: California
- Descriptors: Blackberry, jammy, raisiny. peppery
- Popular Pairings: Roasted or grilled red meats, red pastas
because no one is quite sure how it got to California. Recent DNA tests have
traced it to Croatia, but it's also genetically identical to Italy's Primitivo. But it has
been grown in California, particularly Amador County, for much more than a
century and is considered the state's "original varietal." Well, whatever. I love it
as much for its chewy raisiny-ness as for its mysterious history. Zinafndel often
makes wines heavy in alcohol and tannins, but also full of fruit.
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