Red wine: What do you need to know?
Discover everything you need to know about the best red wine across the world, from famous regions to food pairings.
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Red wine is pure magic
One sip could transport you to the lush Napa Valley, the next to the southern tip of New Zealand.
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There's so much to choose from
With well over 50 different red grapes out there that become, once winemakers get their hands on them, thousands of red wines, where do you start?
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Enter our red wine guide
Everything you need to know about red wine — how it’s made, what it tastes like, where to find it and how to get the one you really want.
Red wine: What do you need to know?
How is red wine made?
It starts with the winemaker carefully selecting vineyards and grapes (think Michelin-starred chef choosing ingredients), before the chosen grapes are harvested and crushed. Then it’s on to the science bit — fermentation — where yeast grows among the grapes and turns their natural sugars into alcohol. (We promise it gets more appetizing as we go on…)
A major difference between red and white wine winemaking is that red grapes go through fermentation with their skins, seeds and even stalks — they’re what give red wine its color and tannins, the stuff that creates a drying effect in the mouth.
The final step is aging. Red wines tend to mature in oak barrels, which allow more oxygen into the wine. That dulls fruit or floral flavors but develops nuttier, richer ones and creates a smoother texture. (White wines typically age in stainless steel vats to limit oxidation and hold on to fruity freshness.)
Red wine flavor profiles
We’ll risk a cliché and say there’s genuinely something for everyone with red wine. It spans the full flavor spectrum from punchy, big reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, to easy-drinking Merlot and on to light, vibrant and fruity Pinot Noir.
If you’re ready to explore red wine, you can’t go wrong by starting with these beloved red grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Known for its flavors of black fruits, cedar and dark chocolate, Cabernet is among the most-sought after wines in the world.
Merlot: Merlot is Cabernet’s softer, smoother but still luscious relation. A true crowd-pleaser that works with many dishes.
Pinot Noir: The antithesis of Cabernet, Pinot Noir is elegant, silky and loaded with red fruit like cherry and raspberry. It can develop notes of earth and spice with age.
Zinfandel: This California powerhouse grape makes wines with bold fruit flavors like blackberry and plum, often accompanied by hints of white pepper and spice.
Syrah/Shiraz: This versatile grape thrives in warm climates. French Syrah tends to be peppery and smoky, while Australian Shiraz is bigger and fruitier.
Red wine food pairings
A general guide when food and wine pairing is to find a wine that matches the intensity of the flavors in the dish. Classic combinations include:
Grilled meats (ribeye or New York strip), beef stews or lamb chops with a bold, full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah/Shiraz.
Burgers, roasted chicken or pepperoni pizza with a medium-bodied, softer red like wine Merlot or Malbec.
Salmon, duck or mushroom risotto with a lighter, perhaps earthier, red wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay.
Pro tip: If you’re stuck, you won’t go wrong with a Pinot Noir. It’s one of the food-friendliest wines out there and works just as well with tacos or chocolate ice cream as it might with duck or salmon.
But remember, don’t worry about so-called wine rules, every palate is different so you should drink the wine you want to drink.
Napa Valley, USA
Napa Valley red wine gained legendary status in the 70s when one of its Cabernet Sauvignons beat a French rival in the famed “Judgment of Paris” — a major upset that propelled Napa Cabernets to superstardom.
Mountains flank both its east and west sides protecting it from cool Pacific breezes and fog, giving it a Mediterranean climate that’s ideal for ripening grapes. Some of its red wines come with a unique earthy undertone owing to the region’s formerly volcanic soils.
Looking for an alternative to Napa Valley red wines? Try some from nearby Sonoma Valley or the under-the-radar Anderson Valley.
Bordeaux, France
Winemaking in Bordeaux dates back to Roman times, and with thousands of years spent finessing their techniques, it’s no wonder that today Bordeaux is considered a benchmark for fine red wines. Its signature is red blends using Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère grapes.
Bordeaux is split into two parts — the Left and Right banks. Left Bank reds tend to be bolder and more powerful, while Right Bank reds are softer and earthier.
Looking for an alternative to Bordeaux red wines? Try blends from South Africa — the country is a grape-growing paradise that delivers unbelievable value, especially for its Bordeaux-style reds.
