Red Wine

Red is what comes to mind for most people when they hear the word "wine." The deep red color, the flavors, the grip of the tannins, and the effects of the alcohol leave an indelible impression on the consumer. For some, these experiences begin a life-long quest to find more amazing wine. But what is the best-tasting red wine? This is subject to the fiercest debates in the wine world. Wine connoisseurs might say Burgundy (made of Pinot Noir) or Bordeaux (made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Malbec) from France, but the French don't hold court over the rest of the wine world anymore.

What are the tasting notes of red wine?

Transcendent Barolo (made with Nebbiolo) and Chianti (made with Sangiovese) from Italy, single-varietal California Cabernet from Napa Valley or Sonoma, Shiraz from Australia, and Tempranillo from northern Spain, and Malbec from Argentina, all give the French heavy-weights a run for their money. There are red wine blends that take grapes like Syrah and Zinfandel that might need some finessing by a winemaker who will blend in other grapes with more appropriate tannin, acidity, or alcohol. We often say that red blends are where you can see the art in winemaking. Unlike white wine, red wine will often feature dark fruit flavors like cassis, cranberry, blackberry, and blueberry. A rule of thumb is that the more fruity a glass of wine is, the warmer the climate it came from.

What are the best red wines?

It's essential to recognize that there is no single "best" red wine. The journey to find the best red wine in the world is really a journey to find your favorite wine, and to do that; it helps to have a good handle on different grape varieties and types of wine, so if you want to know more about red wine grapes, Super Tuscans, Beaujolais, or even why your wine tastes of blackcurrant or black cherry, we have a list of a few of our favorites and much more information in our wine school.

Want to learn more about red wines?

Want to learn more about wine? Check out our Wine School, where wine drinkers of all levels can learn more about their favorite wines.