Red Wine Grapes from Around the World
This is a look at the important red wine grapes most often found on wine lists and in wine shops around the globe.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera and has been cultivated for over a thousand years. It's renowned for producing some of the finest wines in the world, particularly in the Burgundy region of France. Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape to cultivate and transform into wine, but when done successfully, it yields an exquisite product.
Origin and Regions
Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine and is thought to be only one or two generations removed from wild Vitis sylvestris vines. It has been associated with the Burgundy region of France for many centuries.
While Burgundy is its ancestral home, Pinot Noir is now cultivated in wine regions around the world, including Oregon, California, New Zealand, Germany (where it's known as Spätburgunder), and parts of Australia.
Viticulture
Pinot Noir grapes are known for their thin skins and susceptibility to disease, making them a challenge to grow. They prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to wind, frost, and soil types, which makes site selection crucial for producing quality Pinot Noir wines.
Many countries around the globe are finding success in terroirs that are little known, as cooler pockets of vineyards influenced by the sea, or by elevation, produce an opportunity to cultivate this noble red grape.
Winemaking Styles
This grape variety is used to produce a range of wine styles, including light to medium-bodied red wines, rosé wines, and even sparkling wines, like Champagne. The common characteristic of all these styles is a focus on elegance and finesse rather than power and intensity.
Pinot Noir is celebrated for its aromatics and flavors, which can range from ripe red berries (like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries) to earthy and forest floor notes, depending on where it is grown and how it's produced. In cooler climates, it tends to produce lighter-bodied wines with higher acidity, while in warmer regions, the wines can be richer and more fruit-forward.
While many Pinot Noirs are best enjoyed in their youth, the finest examples, particularly those from Burgundy, can age beautifully, developing complex flavors and aromas over time.
Pinot Noir is widely considered one of the most expressive and terroir-driven wines in the world, offering a unique and often sublime wine-drinking experience.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates, from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley.
Origin and Regions
Cabernet Sauvignon is believed to have originated from a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France. It is known for its thick, durable skin, and the vine's resistance to the elements.
While it is historically associated with the Bordeaux region of France, Cabernet Sauvignon has become a key player in wine regions across the globe. Notably, it is a major component in the Napa Valley and other Californian wine regions, as well as in Australia's Coonawarra region and Chile's Maipo Valley.
Viticulture
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes tend to ripen later than other varieties, which can lead to a fuller, richer wine. The vine is hardy and relatively resistant to elements, including frost and diseases, making it a popular choice for growers in a variety of regions.
Winemaking Styles
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are full-bodied with a robust structure. When aged in oak, the wine can develop flavors of vanilla, cedar, and sometimes smoky undertones. The style can vary considerably depending on climate and soil: in cooler climates, the wine tends to be more structured with higher levels of tannins and acidity, while in warmer climates, it can be more lush and fruit-forward.
This grape typically produces wines with high tannins and noticeable acidity, contributing to significant aging potential. In terms of flavor, Cabernet Sauvignon is characterized by its dark fruit flavors (like blackcurrant), with more herbal, spicy notes emerging as the wine ages.
Overall, Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrated for its depth, complexity, and aging potential, making it a staple in the cellars of wine collectors and enthusiasts.
Below you will find a heat map representing many common styles of wine encountered in restaurants and wine shops. Body style and dryness levels are important and can lead you to a great pick every time if you understand the differences across the spectrum of wines.
Merlot
The Merlot grape is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety, used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. Its softness and "fleshiness," combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.
Origin and Regions
Merlot is believed to be a descendant of Cabernet Franc and is related to Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Malbec. It is one of the primary grapes used in Bordeaux wine, and it has grown in popularity in many regions around the world, notably in France, Italy, California, and Chile.
Viticulture
Merlot grapes tend to ripen earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. They prefer cooler soil and less heat to develop their full flavor profile. The grape itself is less tannic and has a thinner skin compared to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaking Styles
Merlot can be made in a range of styles from light-bodied and fruity to rich, full-bodied wines with aging potential. The style often depends on where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. In cooler climates, Merlot tends to be more structured with a higher presence of tannins and earthy flavors, while in warmer regions it often has more pronounced fruit flavors.
Merlot wines typically have medium acidity and moderate tannins. They are known for their smooth texture. Common flavor notes include black cherry, plums, and herbal flavors, along with hints of chocolate and cedar when aged in oak.
Merlot is one of the most popular red wine varieties globally. It pairs well with a variety of foods due to its medium body and balanced nature. It is excellent with grilled meats, hearty pastas, and as a complement to dishes with earthy flavors.
The versatility and approachability of Merlot have made it a favorite among both casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs.
Syrah
Syrah, also known as Shiraz in many parts of the world, is a dark-skinned red wine grape variety. It's known for producing powerful, full-bodied wines with a wide range of flavor profiles depending on the climate and soil where it's grown.
Origin and Regions
Syrah is believed to have originated in the Rhône Valley of France. The grape's history is rich and long, with Syrah being one of the key varieties in the wines of the Northern Rhône, particularly in appellations like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.
While its home is in the Rhône Valley, Syrah has been successfully grown in various regions around the world. In Australia, where it's called Shiraz, it's a key grape variety and often produces rich, fruit-forward wines. It is also significant in regions like California, South Africa, and parts of Chile and Argentina.
Viticulture
Syrah grapes tend to grow best in moderate climates, but they're adaptable and can produce interesting wines in both cooler and warmer regions. They have a relatively thick skin, which contributes to the high tannin levels in the wines.
Winemaking Styles
Syrah can be found in several styles - from the powerful, oak-aged versions that are common in regions like Barossa Valley in Australia, to the more structured, mineral-driven wines of the Northern Rhône. It's also a popular blending grape, notably in the classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blends of Southern Rhône and elsewhere.
Syrah wines are known for their robust flavors and high tannin content. Common flavor notes include dark fruits like blackberry and blueberry, pepper, tobacco, and sometimes smoked meat or leather. In cooler climates, Syrah produces more medium-bodied wines with higher acidity and peppery notes. In warmer climates, the wines are fuller-bodied with softer tannins and ripe fruit flavors.
Overall, Syrah/Shiraz is a versatile grape that can produce a wide range of wine styles, making it a favorite among many wine enthusiasts. Its ability to express the characteristics of its terroir makes it a fascinating variety for wine studies and tastings.
Additional Important Red Grapes
Grenache
Grenache, also known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Renowned for its role in the luscious, full-bodied red wines of the Southern Rhône, especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Grenache offers a spectrum of flavors from sweet berry fruits to spicy, earthy undertones. This grape thrives in hot, dry conditions, as seen in its prominence in the arid regions of Spain and the sun-drenched valleys of the Rhône.
Grenache typically yields wines with high alcohol content and a plush, velvety texture, often exhibiting notes of strawberries, red cherries, and white pepper, sometimes accented with a hint of orange peel or anise when grown in particularly warm locales. In addition to red wines, Grenache is also used to produce robust rosé wines and is a key component in many blends, adding body and fruitiness.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a black-skinned French wine grape variety primarily known for its role in the blends of Bordeaux, but it also shines as a single varietal in regions like the Loire Valley in France and increasingly in New World wine regions. It is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, one of its more famous offspring (the other being Merlot), offering a distinctively fresh, herbaceous aroma, often described as reminiscent of green bell pepper, along with graphite and dark berries. In cooler climates, it tends to produce medium-bodied wines with more pronounced acidity and flavors of red fruits and herbs, whereas in warmer regions, it can develop richer and more velvety textures, with riper fruit flavors.
Cabernet Franc is valued for its ability to add finesse, aroma, and complexity to blends, and as a single varietal wine, it's celebrated for its elegance and expression of terroir. The grape is relatively adaptable to different vineyard conditions, although it prefers cooler growing environments to fully express its aromatic potential.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is an Italian red wine grape variety predominantly associated with the Piedmont region, where it is the powerhouse behind the famed Barolo and Barbaresco wines. This grape is renowned for its ability to produce profoundly complex and age-worthy wines. Nebbiolo wines are recognized for their characteristic light brick-red hue and their potent tannins and high acidity, which contribute to their significant aging potential.
The grape's flavor profile is a sophisticated tapestry of rose petals, tar, cherries, raspberries, and, as the wine matures, deeper notes of truffles, leather, and forest floor. Despite its robust structure, Nebbiolo manages to maintain a certain elegance and finesse.
The grape is notoriously finicky to grow, requiring specific soil types (preferably limestone-rich) and a carefully chosen microclimate, as it buds early and ripens late. Nebbiolo's name is thought to derive from the Italian word 'nebbia', meaning fog, a common feature in Piedmont during the grape's late ripening period.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese, the quintessential Italian grape variety, is the backbone of many esteemed wines, most notably those from Tuscany, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Sangiovese is cherished for its high acidity and robust tannins, contributing to the creation of wines that are both assertive and capable of aging gracefully. It typically exhibits flavors of sour red cherries, earthy tones, and herbal notes, with nuances that can range from oaky and tannic when aged in barrels, to fresh and fruity in younger wines. This versatility allows winemakers to craft a wide array of styles from the same grape.
The Sangiovese grape thrives in warm, dry climates where it can soak up the sun and fully ripen. It's a grape that's closely tied to its terroir, with subtle changes in its growing environment often resulting in significant variations in the wine's character. This sensitivity makes Sangiovese a favorite among wine enthusiasts who appreciate the nuanced expressions of different wine-growing areas.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo, a noble grape of Spain, is the heart and soul of some of the country's most celebrated wines, notably those from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. This grape variety is valued for its ability to produce deeply colored, aromatic wines that balance fruitiness with earthiness. Tempranillo wines are known for their flavors of cherries, plums, and tomatoes, complemented by leather, tobacco, and vanilla notes when aged in oak. The grape’s name, derived from the Spanish word 'temprano', meaning 'early', refers to its tendency to ripen sooner than other Spanish varietals. This characteristic allows it to thrive in cooler regions as well as warmer ones.
In the vineyard, Tempranillo is adaptable but prefers higher altitudes where the cooler nights help to retain its renowned acidity and aromatic complexity. The grape’s thick skin contributes to the robust tannins in the wine, making it well-suited for aging. Over time, Tempranillo wines evolve, developing a smoother texture and a complex bouquet. This grape is often blended with other varieties, such as Garnacha and Carignan (Mazuelo), to add body and structure.
In conclusion, understanding the key red wine grapes from important regions provides a solid foundation for mastering wine education. By focusing on a few essential varieties and their iconic growing areas, such as Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, Pinot Noir from Burgundy, or Malbec from Mendoza, enthusiasts can unlock a wealth of knowledge about wine styles, terroir, and production methods. This focused approach not only simplifies the learning process but also opens the door to a deeper appreciation of the global diversity and richness of red wines.