A Review Of Choice Grapes For Red Wine Connoisseurs
Red wine gains its color from the grape skins. The skins are left in the juice while it ferments. The skins add not only color but tannins as well. The colors can range from a light red to a deep cherry shade. Although there are dozens of varietals used to make red wine there are just a few that make up the majority of red wines on the market; Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Shiraz.
The king of grapes for winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon with its dark berries with thick skins gives the wine the tannins and color that are so desirable in a red wine. Some flavors found in this wine are blackcurrant, berries, cedar, tobacco, leather, chocolate and minerals. A young wine is quite fruity and due to the structure provided by the high amount of tannins them to become more complex as they age. The resulting wine is medium to full-bodied.
Pinot Noir grapes are the grapes used to produce Burgundy wine. Pinot Noir is a fruit-forward, light-bodied wine. Due to the strict growing conditions required to grow this grape it is grown around the world but in smaller quantities than other varietals. The result is a higher price than for comparable wines of other grapes. Flavors and aromas of these wines are typically red berries, tomatoes, and plums with some having earthy or woody notes.
Originally from the famed Bordeaux region of France, Merlot grapes are large and thin-skinned with less tannin than a Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot wines are soft with a medium body. Their tasting notes include plums, berries, black pepper, and even a hint of cocoa. Its strong fruit flavors make it an agreeable wine for those just learning about red wines. Merlot is often blended with other grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot grapes mellow the Cab and the Cab adds structure to the Merlot.
Known as Syrah in France, Shiraz is a medium to full bodied wine also grown in Australia, California, South Africa, and Chile. The thick-skinned Shiraz is known for its strong but smooth tannins. Shiraz flavors include black cherry, raspberries, plum, chocolate, charcoal, black pepper and spices.
