Common Red Wine Styles from WineGiftShop.com!
Cabernet Sauvignon – This red wine variety is one of the most common styles in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon is often aged in new oak barrels to add tannin which increases its capacity to age. The potential bitterness, or tannin, you taste in a young red wine is caused by the skins and stems of the grape. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are produced in the United States, France, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, South Africa, Spain and other areas of the world. Many fabulous Cabernet style wines, aged from five to ten years, come from the Napa Valley region of California. Because of the wide spectrum of flavors that come out in Cabernet style wines, the acidity level of the wine plays a significant factor in matching this style with food. Younger Cabernets that have had little oak aging can be matched well with a variety of foods including chili, hamburgers and tomato based pasta dishes. Older Cabernets, which tend to have a more mature intense flavor, should be paired with roast meets and cheeses to allow the complex flavors of these bold wines to make a statement of their own.
Merlot – This style of red wine is normally made to drink at a younger age than the Cabernet Sauvignon style. In Europe, this style is made as a varietal wine -meaning it is made from or named after a particular grape variety. Merlots age faster than Cabernet Sauvignons. Merlot wines are most commonly produced in France, Italy and the United States. Characterized by a softer fruit flavor, this wine works great with wood-grilled meats and full flavored fish dishes. It is a classic with roasted duck, veal or goose.
Pinot Noir – With the exception of some of the French made Pinot Noir’s, this red wine style is most often made to drink at a younger age. This style is commonly produced in France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The Burgundy region of France is probably the most successful in producing this wine variety. Characterized by a silky feeling in the mouth with hints of black cherry and plum, avoid complementing this variety with heavy or spicy food. Pinot Noir goes well with grilled salmon, duck, veal and oysters.
Zinfandel – Most common in the United States, this variety produces an abundance of grapes and is used by wine growers to produce red, blush and even white Zinfandel wines. The better reds in this category often have a strong black berry or plum flavors with hints of black pepper. The blush and white Zinfandel wines are best when young. The white and blush style Zinfandels pair well with Mexican, and Asian food. The red Zinfandels work well with hamburgers, pizza and pasta dishes based on red tomato sauces.
Shiraz – The Shiraz variety is the last variety we will cover under this red wine category. There is a broad range in ages within this category. Many of the Shiraz styles, such as those made in Australia, are generally intended to be consumed at a younger age. However, some of the French made Shiraz wines can last much longer particularly when blended with other grape varieties. This rich deeply colored red wine has a complex fruity flavor and can be the perfect complement to venison, pizza, stews and of course a steak off the grill.