TYPES OF RED WINES

Approximately 40 different types of red wine grapes are planted around the world. We have listed nine of these varietals to help you in making your choice of which wine kits (from our Cellar Craft wines or WinExpert kits product lines) that you might wish to try.

BARBERA

This Italian grape originates from the Piedmont area but is also grown in many other parts of Italy. This grape is now also widely planted in California.

Barbera grapes are used in make many wine styles ranging from young, light wines to powerful and intense wines that will need to be aged for an extended period of time to reach their full potential.

Barbera wines are a deep ruby color, are full-bodied and feature low tannin levels and high levels of acidity. The wines are berry flavorful and are an excellent substitute for Merlots.

MERLOT

Over the past decade Merlots has become the wine of choice for many oenophiles. Merlots offer everything from wines which are light and easy to drink to wines which are full-bodied and complex. Flavors of plum, chocolate and cherry permeate full-bodied Merlots which are not as tannic as Cabernets.

Merlot is many times blended with a Cabernet and is a common planting in California, Washington, Oregon and northern Italy.

NEBBIOLO

Barolo and Barbaresco are two wine types which use Nebbiolo grapes as their base. Nebbiolo grapes are generally powerful, intense wines but are generally not fully-bodied nor deeply colored. Nebbiolo wines are high in both tannins and acidity and generally require an extended cellaring to bring out their full potential. The wines generally feature the aromatics and flavors of roses, plums, raspberries and tar.

PETITE SIRAH

Petite Sirah wines are full-bodied and deeply colored with notes of black pepper. Although this grape is an excellent varietal on its own, Petite Sirah is often blended (for example, with Zinfandel) to add complexity,

Grown mostly in California, this grape is believed to be related to either the nearly-extinct Durif grapes of the Rhone area of France or to Syrah grapes.

PINOT NOIR

For winemakers, Pinot Noir offers both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. Really great Pinot Noirs offer rich and complex wines with flavors of black cherries, berries and spices with the aromatics associated with herbs and flowers.

World class Pinot grapes are now being raised in the Pacific Northwest and have become competitive rivals to the wines of France.

SANGIOVESE

This Italian grape is generally associated with the Tuscan region and is just now coming into its own as a stand alone varietal. Sangiovese wines are generally medium to full-bodied and can be moderate to high in tannin levels.

The flavors of cherries and spices typically come to mind when enjoying a glass of Sangiovese.

SYRAH / SHIRAZ

In France the Syrah grape is common in the Rhone region, in Australia and South Africa it is called Shiraz. From any location and by any name, it produces wines which are full-bodied, spicy and complex. A wine grape which readily lends itself to blending with other varietals, it is fast fecoming a popular wine grape in California.

Syrah / Shiraz wines take on a number of forms ranging from soft, medium-bodied wines with berry characteristics to dark colored, full-bodied, bold wines with the flavors of pepper, black cherries and smoke.

TEMPRANILLO

Ola! Tempranillo is the red wine grape of Spain. Tempranillo grapes are known to produce dark, rich flavored wines bearing the flavors of cherries, spice, strawberries and tobacco. Typically low in both acidity and alcohol, this grape is often blended with Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.

ZINFANDEL

Zinfandel wines are big and bold and abound in California! You can find Zinfandel vines anywhere from Napa to Amador to the Sierra foothills.

Zinfandels offer depth, color and balance plus the flavors of exotic spices which are unique to this varietal.