Red Varietals
Red varietals -- red wines made from a single grape variety (or
dominated by a single grape variety) -- are common outside
France, where reds are most often blended. In most of the world,
both red and white wines are sold as varietals, although this is
changing as the wine-buying public becomes more sophisticated.
Red varietals -- red wines made from a single grape variety (or
dominated by a single grape variety) -- are common outside
France, where reds are most often blended. In most of the world,
both red and white wines are sold as varietals, although this is
changing as the wine-buying public becomes more sophisticated.
Cabernet Franc
blends and is a very important component of St-Émilion and Pomerol. Under
the right conditions it can also make good wines on its own, such as some
that come out of the Loire Valley, in France.
Cabernet Sauvignon
just about everywhere, is often sold as a varietal and serves as the anchor
grape in Bordeaux blends. Highly tannic cabernet is considered the ultimate
food wine and pairs well with hearty, spicy meat dishes.
Gamay
has lively acids and but few tannins. Gamay is most often seen in Beaujelais
Nouveaux. It is best drunk young and slightly chilled.
Malbec
Cahors, France, it is used to make full-bodied wines that mature. Gamay is
sometimes called the "black wine of Cahors."
Merlot
one of the most popular, stand-alone varietals. The merlot grape exudes soft
fruit flavors and is highly versatile. The character of merlot depends greatly on
the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are often similar to Cabernets
while those from bottom areas can be more velvety and soft.
Pinot Noir
cultivate. It only grows in certain climates and soils and requires great care.
Pinot Noir's comes from Burgundy and is only grape allowed for Appellation
Contrôlée wines of the region. It is also used in Champagne and sparkling
wine, one of the three main grapes used in creating bubbly.
Syrah (Shiraz)
famed wines of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Syrah is also grown in Australia,
where it's called Shiraz and is the most widely planted grape in the country. It is
also grown is Washington State, Southern and Central California, South Africa
and South America. Syrah can differ widely in style depending on how and
where it is produced, but most tend to be smooth and middling tannic.
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."
Primitivo
that Primitivo is the same as Zinfandel. Both grapes are said to come from
Croatia, originally. The wines they produce, however, differ. Primitivo comes
from the southern Italian province of Apuglia (Puglia). Wines made from
Primitivo often have flavors of plums and spices, but are less jammy or raisiny
than Zinfandels, due to the particular soil of the region.
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.
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: Bordeaux, France; Loire Valley, France; California;
- Descriptors: Earthy, green pepper, olives, bell pepper, violet, raspberry,
cherry, cedar - Popular Pairings: Beef, pork, veal
blends and is a very important component of St-Émilion and Pomerol. Under
the right conditions it can also make good wines on its own, such as some
that come out of the Loire Valley, in France.
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grown In: Everywhere
- Descriptors: Black currant, herbs, tobacco, earthy
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pasta, pork
just about everywhere, is often sold as a varietal and serves as the anchor
grape in Bordeaux blends. Highly tannic cabernet is considered the ultimate
food wine and pairs well with hearty, spicy meat dishes.
Gamay
- Grown In: Beaujelais, France
- Descriptors: Cherry, flowery, light, strawberry,
- Popular Pairings: Light meals, pastas, salads
has lively acids and but few tannins. Gamay is most often seen in Beaujelais
Nouveaux. It is best drunk young and slightly chilled.
Malbec
- Grown In: Argentina; California; Bordeaux, Cohors, France
- Descriptors: Blackberry, dark, full-bodied, gamey plum, tobacco, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Game meats, beef
Cahors, France, it is used to make full-bodied wines that mature. Gamay is
sometimes called the "black wine of Cahors."
Merlot
- Grown In: All over
- Descriptors: Cherry, blackberry, plum, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pasta, pork veal
one of the most popular, stand-alone varietals. The merlot grape exudes soft
fruit flavors and is highly versatile. The character of merlot depends greatly on
the climate and soil. Merlot from mountain areas are often similar to Cabernets
while those from bottom areas can be more velvety and soft.
Pinot Noir
- Grown In: Burgundy, France; Champagne, France; California, Oregon.
New Zealand - Descriptors: Earth, mushrooms, truffles, red fruit, spices
- Popular Pairings: Beef, pork chicken, swordfish, shark, tuna steak,
pasta
cultivate. It only grows in certain climates and soils and requires great care.
Pinot Noir's comes from Burgundy and is only grape allowed for Appellation
Contrôlée wines of the region. It is also used in Champagne and sparkling
wine, one of the three main grapes used in creating bubbly.
Syrah (Shiraz)
- Grown In: Rhône, France; Australia; California; Washington State; South
Africa - Descriptors: Blackberry, leather, pepper, smoke
- Popular Pairings: Pork, lamb
famed wines of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Syrah is also grown in Australia,
where it's called Shiraz and is the most widely planted grape in the country. It is
also grown is Washington State, Southern and Central California, South Africa
and South America. Syrah can differ widely in style depending on how and
where it is produced, but most tend to be smooth and middling tannic.
Mourvèdre
- 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."
Primitivo
- Grown In: Southern Italy
- Descriptors: Chocolaty, fruity, plumy, rustic, spicy
- Popular Pairings: Pasta, pizza, roasted red meats
that Primitivo is the same as Zinfandel. Both grapes are said to come from
Croatia, originally. The wines they produce, however, differ. Primitivo comes
from the southern Italian province of Apuglia (Puglia). Wines made from
Primitivo often have flavors of plums and spices, but are less jammy or raisiny
than Zinfandels, due to the particular soil of the region.
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.
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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