WINE 101 | RED VARIETAL WINE PROFILES

Well known red varietal wine profiles:

Cabernet Franc

Red currant, raspberry, cedar and herb spice notes. Light to medium/full bodied wines. Moderate tannins. Moderate to high acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cassis, raspberry, cedar and peppercorn notes. Medium to very full bodied wines with firm tannins. Moderate acidity.

Gamay Noir

Red cherry, peppercorn and licorice nuances. Light to medium bodied wines with crisp acidity. Soft tannins.

Merlot

Red plum, cassis, blackberry, black cherry and peppercorn. Slightly smoky on occasion. Medium to full bodied wines with soft tannins. Moderate acidity.

Pinot Noir

Strawberry, red currant, raspberry, black cherries and earth with nuances of violets and spice. Medium to medium/full bodied wines with soft tannins. Moderate acidity.

Shiraz (a.k.a. Syrah)

Cassis, plum, mulberry, chocolate, black pepper and leather. Medium to very full bodied wines with soft tannins and soft acidity. (Firm tannins and crisper acidity in the case of Syrah.)

Zinfandel

Blackberry, black cherries, red plum, blueberry, peppercorn and leather. Medium to very full bodied wines with moderate to firm tannic structure. Moderate acidity.

Lesser known red varietal wine profiles:  

Carmenere

Red plum, mulberry and passionfruit with hints of chocolate, black pepper and cedar. Medium to very full bodied wines with supple tannins. Soft acidity.

Baco Noir

Blackberries, cassis, blueberries, smoke and spice hints. Medium to full bodied wines with high acidity and moderate tannins.

Barbera

Sour cherry, and spice notes along with nuances of earth and leather. Crisp acidity with moderate tannins. Light to medium/full bodied wines.

Grenache

Red cherries, slight citrus hints with a touch of earth. Light to full bodied wines with moderate tannins and moderate acidity.

Malbec

Cassis, cedar, and blackpepper hints. Medium to full bodied wines with structured tannins and moderate acidity.

Marechal Foch

Red berry, black cherry, plum and black pepper profile with smoky nuances. Medium to full bodied wine with high acidity and moderate tannins.

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Cassis, blackberries and white pepper with a slight earthiness. Medium to full bodied wines with moderate tannins and moderate to high acidity.

Petite Syrah

Grapey/raisiny aromas against a backdrop of cassis and spice. Medium to full bodied wines with moderate tannins and moderate acidity.

Pinotage

Distinct, almost peculiar profile of acetone, raisins, white pepper and blackberries. Medium to full bodied wines with soft tannins and moderate acidity.

Ruby Cabernet

Candy-like profile of black cherry with hints of licorice and chocolate. Medium to full bodied wines with moderate to high tannins and moderate acidity.

Sangiovese (a.k.a. Brunello)

Red cherry, raspberry and spice character with hints of earth and leather. Medium to very full bodied wines with high acidity and moderate to firm tannic structure. 

Tempranillo

Cassis, cedar, blackberry, black pepper and ripe plum aromas. Medium to very full bodied wines with moderate to high acidity and firm tannins.

Zweigeltrebe (or simply ‘Zweigelt')

Black cherry, raspberry, vanilla/spice and smoke nuances. Light to medium bodied wines with soft tannins and moderate acidity.

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