15 Lesser-Known But Easy-to-Love Red Wines
This list covers fifteen of the 350 grape varieties that can be made into red wine. We covered the four grapes that dominate global wine production in this article. This article will introduce you to varieties that will bring diversity and excitement to your wine drinking. This list isn't in any particular order, so don't assume the varietals listed at the bottom are any less worthy.
Malbec
Malbec is a bold and robust red wine known for its rich, dark color and captivating flavors. This full-bodied varietal is iconic in the vineyards of Argentina, but its roots are in France.
Malbec offers a delightful balance of medium to high acidity and substantial tannins. It greets the nose with an enticing bouquet of dark fruits like blackberry and plum, often intertwined with subtler notes of vanilla, cocoa, and tobacco.
These flavors come alive on the palate, making Malbec a perfect companion for red meats and hearty meals.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre is a late-ripening red wine grape known for its dark hue and thick skin. Originating from regions like Rhône and Provence in France and Valencia in Spain, this full-bodied features high tannins and a complex blend of dark fruit aromas, floral notes, and herbaceous hints. The palate reveals rich flavors of dark fruit, brambly berries, leather, and earthy notes, making Mourvèdre an ideal match for hearty meals.
Mourvèdre is one-third of the famous Rhone GSM blends, partnering with Grenache and Syrah.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel, considered by some to be California's grape, originated in Croatia. It is a versatile red wine that is popular in America.
It's known for its moderate to high acidity, making it an excellent food companion. The tannin content can vary, influencing the complexity of the palate. Its bold aromas of blackberry are paired with, black pepper, and jam. Zinfandel wines are usually high in alcohol.
Dolcetto
Dolcetto is a black Italian wine grape variety widely grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. The name means "little sweet one," but Dolcetto wines are almost always dry. They can be tannic and fruity with moderate or decidedly low acidity levels and are typically meant to be consumed within a few years after release. This wine is characterized by its ripe red fruit flavors and a smooth and soft finish. It's an excellent companion for many foods due to its vibrant acidity and tannic structure.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a red wine grape variety primarily grown in Spain and Portugal, making it one of the most widely planted wine grapes globally. The grape, often called Spain's noble grape, is the main component in Rioja wines. 'Tempranillo' comes from the Spanish word 'temprano,' meaning 'early,' as this grape variety ripens earlier than others. It produces medium to full-bodied red wines, known for their age-worthy finesse and rustic character.
Grenache
Grenache is a versatile red wine grape, widely grown in Spain and France, known for its rich, fruity flavors and high alcohol content. Originating from Spain, it's the star of the show in many Rhône Valley wines. Grenache is typically used in blends and is known for its strawberry, raspberry, and white pepper notes. Despite its thin skin, the grape produces deeply colored and full-bodied wines, making it a favorite among wine enthusiasts.
Although Grenache is known for its low acidity and tannins, its robust flavor profile and high alcohol content make it a balanced and appealing wine choice.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah, also known as Durif, is a red wine grape variety that primarily thrives in California. It's renowned for its rich, full-bodied wines with robust blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate flavors. Despite its name, there's nothing 'petite' about these wines - they are known for their deep, inky color, high tannin levels, and pronounced acidity, making them excellent candidates for aging.
Gamay
Gamay is a red wine grape variety, notably grown in Beaujolais and the Loire Valley in France. It is often compared to Pinot Noir due to its light body and similar taste profile. This purple-colored grape variety is known for producing wines with high acidity and minimal tannin structure. The wines made from Gamay are typically affordable and are appreciated for their bright fruit flavors, often reminiscent of red berries. Interestingly, DNA analysis indicates that Gamay is a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, an obscure white grape variety.
Carménère
Carménère is a red wine grape variety originally from Bordeaux, France, but now predominantly grown in Chile. The grape produces deeply colored wines and adds a distinctive taste, described as spicy, with notes of green pepper, raspberry, and blackberry. Carménère wines are medium-bodied and possess a medium level of acidity and tannins. This wine grape is often mistaken for Merlot due to their similarities, but Carménère tends to have a more pronounced, richer flavor profile. It's an excellent pairing for hearty meat dishes and aged cheeses.
Cinsault
Cinsault is a red wine grape variety that originates from the southeast of France. Known for its heat tolerance and productivity, it's often used in Rhône blends and Provençal rosés, contributing freshness, floral notes, and fruitiness. It produces light, soft wines with low tannin levels when used as a varietal. It's highly resistant to drought, making it suitable for hot, sunny terroirs, and it pairs well with rich foods like sea snails in garlic, also known as Escargot.
Negroamaro
Predominantly grown in southern Italy, Negroamaro is known for its deep, ruby-red color and intense dark berries and spice flavors. The wines made from this grape are often full-bodied, with tannins that provide a good backbone for aging. This grape is often blended with other local favorites like Malvasia or Primitivo.
Primitivo
Primitivo is an Italian grape variety renowned for producing full-bodied wines with medium to high tannins and bright acidity. These wines are typically deep, inky red in color, and carry a high alcohol level. On the nose, Primitivo offers spicy and fruity notes, with hints of black fruit, blueberries, figs, and leather. On the palate, it reveals flavors of dark forest fruits, raspberry, blackberry, and warm spices such as cinnamon and cloves.
This grape is a close relative of Zinfandel.
Nero d'Avola
Nero d'Avola is a significant red wine grape indigenous to Sicily, Italy, often called "the most important red wine grape in Sicily." It thrives in arid climates and can be dry-farmed due to its love for heat.
This grape variety, also known as Calabrese, produces various styles, from bold, full-bodied wines to lighter versions. On the nose, Nero d'Avola offers aromas of strawberry, ripe cherry, sweet spices, licorice, and cocoa. The palate reveals fresh plum, strawberry, cranberry, and pomegranate flavors with hints of raspberry, vanilla, and a touch of pepper. These wines are known for their medium body, bright acidity, and high alcohol content, around 14%.
Barbera
Barbera is Italy's third most-planted red grape variety, after Sangiovese and Montepulciano. This versatile grape thrives in various regions, but its best expressions are found in Piedmont, where it produces wines known for their deep ruby color, full body, moderate tannins, and high acidity. Barbera's flavor profile typically includes bright red fruit and spice, often complemented by hints of vanilla when aged in oak. These wines pair well with a wide range of foods, making Barbera one of Italy's most food-friendly wines.
Monastrell
Known as Mourvèdre outside of Spain, Monastrell wines are typically high in alcohol and tannin, with blackberry, plum, and pepper flavors.
Each of these red wines offers a unique taste experience, making them worth exploring for both novice wine drinkers and seasoned connoisseurs.
