The 16 most common red grape varieties in the world
1. Barbera
Country of Origin: Italy
Features: Notes of cherry, plum, blackberry and rose. Mostly grown in Italy, it is a full-bodied wine with high acidity and low tannin, and is often blended with other grape varieties.
2. Brunello
Country of Origin: Italy
Characteristic: Sangiovese is a traditional name in Italy. It works well in the Montalcino vineyards of Tuscany, Italy, and is particularly famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wines.
3. Cabernet Franc
Country of Origin: France
Characteristics: Most of the Cabernet franc as a mixed grape variety, mainly grown in France's Loire Valley, in the United States, California, New York and some other regions in the world are also planted. Cabernet Franc is between light and medium bodied, with a pronounced aroma, often described as pencil lead, fruity more direct than cabernet Sauvignon, and sometimes with some herbal notes.
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin: France
Features: Deep color, intense flavor, heavy tannins, usually green pepper and black berries (such as black currant, plum, black cherry, mulberry, etc.) aromas, rich body, strong wine.
5. Dolcetto
Country of Origin: Italy
Characteristics: This is an early and low acid red grape variety, mainly grown in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in the Piemonte region of northwestern Italy. The wine made from peaches is soft and round, fruity and aromatic, often with liquorice and almond notes. It ages in less time than Barbera and Nebbiolo.
6. Gamay
Country of Origin: France
Features: Wines made from Camry grapes are usually a charming violet or purplish-pink color, with very low tannin content, light body, fruity aroma, fresh and natural, suitable for young drinking. It is the red grape variety from which the unique Beaujolais nouveau wine is made.
7. Grenache
Country of Origin: Spain
Features: Notes of red currant, blueberry, cherry and plum. It produces a crisp, supple, fruity wine that develops toffee and leather flavors as it ages. The variety is cultivated in Spain and California, but is most notable in the Rhone Valley of France, where it is often mixed with Muhewhite or syrah.
8. Malbec
Country of Origin: France
Features: Notes of red currant, blackcurrant, blueberry, plum, cedar, licorice, clove and smoke. A red grape variety once popular in Bordeaux. But while it was falling out of favour in Bordeaux, its impressive performance in Argentina gave it a new lease on life.
The 16 most common red grape varieties in the world
Photo credit: www.winesofargentina.org
9. Merlot
Country of Origin: France
Characteristics: Usually with red fruit flavors (strawberry, red plum, cherry, etc.), full bodied, medium to low acidity, high alcohol content, soft tannins, moderate content. When merlot is too ripe, the wine can also take on fruitcake and chocolate flavors.
10. Mourvedre
Country of Origin: Spain
Features: Notes of raspberry, blueberry, mulberry, prune, truffle and pine. Originating in the Rhone Valley of France, it is now well known in California and other parts of the United States. Generally blended with Syrah and Grenache, it is known as Grenache - Syrah - Muhewaite (GSM).
11. Nebbiolo
Country of Origin: Italy
Features: Flavors of raspberry, redcurrant, blueberry, cherry, rose, violet, truffle, smoky, chocolate and pepper.
12. Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: France
Features: Relatively light color, moderate tannin content is low, usually with red fruit flavor (strawberry, raspberry, cherry, etc.).
13. Sangiovese
Country of Origin: Italy
Features: Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, currant, prune, pine, licorice and smoke. It is mainly grown in Italy.
14. Syrah or Shiraz
Country of Origin: France
Features: Shiraz has a deep color, medium tannin and acid content, full body, usually with dark fruit (such as blackberry, blackcurrant) and dark chocolate flavors. In more temperate climates, syrah wines tend to have more chocolate flavors than just pepper and spice. In hotter climates, syrah wines tend to show more sweetness and ripeness.
15. Tempranillo
Country of Origin: Spain
Features: Flavors of raspberry, blueberry, mulberry, cherry, prune, pine, licorice, cinnamon, clove bud, leather, chocolate and smoke. It is Spain's most famous red grape variety.
16. Zinfandel
Country of Origin: Croatia
Features: Wine made from Zinfandel with high alcohol content, soft tannins, sweet taste, with berry flavor. Typical aromas include strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, prune, cedar, cinnamon, leather, caramel and dark chocolate. It is now grown mainly in California.
