| Wine is produced all over the world from single | | | | appreciation and acclaim and has become Argentina's |
| varietal grape selections to popular varietal blends to | | | | signature grape producing a medium to full-bodied red |
| please almost every palate, from the novice to the | | | | wine. Malbec wine is reminiscent of ripe fruit flavors |
| seasoned wine taster. Red wine happens to be the | | | | of plums and blackberry jam. The tannins are typically |
| most popular choice the world over. | | | | a bit tight with an earthy, wood appeal making for a |
| Barolo and Barbaresco | | | | fairly rustic wine that is quickly making a new name |
| Derived from the Nebbiolo grape, Barolo wines are | | | | for itself with red wine lovers. Malbec is best served |
| typically deep red with a thick and complex flavor | | | | at 59-64F and pairs well with tomato-based sauces, |
| that is sometimes flowery, reminiscent of violets and | | | | Italian fare, red meat, Mexican, Cajun, and Indian |
| roses. Other flavors are fruit, licorice or oak. Barolo | | | | dishes. |
| should be enjoyed at 60F and can age for 5-10 years. | | | | Merlot |
| Barbaresco is a red wine that is more elegant and | | | | A soft, medium-bodied red wine with juicy fruit |
| aromatic, though still powerful. In a way, Barbaresco | | | | flavors reminiscent of plums, cherries, blueberries and |
| is the younger brother of Barolo. Both of these red | | | | blackberries mixed with black pepper tones. Tannin |
| wines are made in the Piedmont region of Italy and | | | | levels are fairly low. Merlot is a prime wine for |
| pair well with grilled meats. | | | | consumers just getting into red wines. Merlot |
| Beaujolais Nouveau | | | | originated from the Bordeaux region of France and is |
| A very young, light, fruity wine meant to be served | | | | often blended with other varietals, such as Cabernet |
| chilled, around 55F, with dominant flavors of | | | | Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Blending Merlot with |
| strawberry and raspberry along with a grapey appeal | | | | these wines mellows and softens the Cabernets. |
| that is virtually free of tannins. It is grown from the | | | | Merlot wines are very versatile with food pairings and |
| Gamay grape in the Beaujolais region (part of | | | | are best served at 55- 60F degrees and enjoyed |
| Burgundy) of France. Beaujolais Nouveau is released | | | | with poultry, red meat, pork, pastas, and salads. |
| annually on the third Thursday of November. In food | | | | Pinot Noir |
| pairing, it goes well with grilled or roasted meats both | | | | Pinot Noir is a lighter flavored and colored red wine |
| light and dark, a variety of pastas, salads and | | | | with flavors reminiscent of plums, tomatoes, cherries |
| cheeses. | | | | and red berries and, depending on the varietal's |
| Cabernet Franc | | | | growing conditions, an earthy or wood flavor. Pinot |
| Originally from the Bourdeaux and Loire Valley region, | | | | Noir is planted in California, Oregon, Germany, Italy, |
| Cabernet Franc enjoys the growing climates of | | | | New Zealand, Australia, and other regions around the |
| California, Washington State, Australia, Chile, Canada, | | | | world. You are likely to pay a little more for Pinot Noir |
| and South Africa. It is a wonderfully fruity wine, | | | | because it is produced in smaller quantities than most |
| having lower tannin levels and a more distinct flavor | | | | of the other popular red wine types. Pinot Noir is a |
| reminiscent of berry; mainly blueberry, raspberry and | | | | versatile food wine best served at 55-60F, pairing |
| at times plum. Cabernet Franc is more subdued and | | | | well with spicy seasonings, creamy sauces, beef, |
| softer than its cousin Cabernet Sauvignon and is sold | | | | ham, lamb, pork, poultry and fish. |
| as a single varietal. However, it is ideal for blending | | | | Sangiovese |
| with its cousin Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. | | | | Italy's most commonly planted red grape varietal |
| Cabernet Franc is best served at 59-64F and pairs | | | | predominantly producing the popular wines Chianti and |
| well with Mediterranean Greek and Middle Eastern | | | | Chianti Classico, wines of medium- to full-body with a |
| dishes as well as poultry and pasta. | | | | tannin structure range from medium-soft to firm, and |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | | | | a medium to high acidity content. Flavors associated |
| Originally from Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon has a | | | | with Sangiovese wines are reminiscent of cherry, |
| tremendous presence in the California wineries where | | | | plum, strawberry, cinnamon and vanilla with a finish |
| the grape favors the warmer climate, and enjoys the | | | | that can range from elegant to bitter. Best served at |
| popularity as the most sought after red wine. | | | | 59-64F, Sangiovese varietal wine pairs well with |
| Cabernets are medium-bodied to full-bodied and | | | | chicken, red meat, fish, lamb, pork, pastas, stews or |
| characterized by a high tannin content which provides | | | | well-aged cheeses |
| structure and intrigue to the wine and supporting | | | | Shiraz/Syrah |
| flavors reminiscent of a rich, ripe berry, tobacco and | | | | Australia and South Africa call it Shiraz. In France, it is |
| sometimes green pepper. Cabernet Sauvignon is an | | | | known and grown as Syrah, but it happens to be the |
| ideal wine for aging, with 5-10 years being optimal for | | | | same grape varietal that produces a deep-purple |
| peak maturation. The longer maturation process | | | | color and bold, spicy, red, medium- to full-bodied |
| allows the wine's flavors to mellow, and makes the | | | | wines with firm tannins with rich flavors reminiscent |
| Cabernets ideal for blending with other grapes, | | | | of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black |
| primarily Merlot to add appealing fruit tones, without | | | | pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked |
| sacrificing character. Cabernet Sauvignon is best | | | | meat. Best served at 59-64F, Shiraz/Syrah pairs |
| served at 59-64F, and pairs wonderfully with red | | | | wonderfully with spicy Mexican, Cajun and barbeque |
| meats, lamb, cheeses of strong flavor and dark | | | | dishes, grilled fare, beef stews, red meats, even |
| chocolates. | | | | pizza and meat lasagna. |
| Cotes du Rhone | | | | Zinfandel |
| Southeastern France's Rhone Valley produces some | | | | California's #2 most widely planted red wine grape. |
| of that country's best bargain red wines offering | | | | Originating in Croatia, not southern Italy as previously |
| good flavor, generally full-bodied with rich but smooth | | | | thought, where it is a kin to the Primitivo grape . DNA |
| tanins, with plenty of food pairing options. Grenache, | | | | "fingerprinting" recently proved that both Zinfandel |
| Syrah and Viognier are the primary varietals grown in | | | | and Primitivo are clones of the same grape. California |
| the region. Red and rosé wines are made | | | | is the largest grower of Zinfandel and produces |
| from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, | | | | various styles, ranging from a blackberry and black |
| Counoise and Mourvèdre grape varieties. With | | | | pepper, to light and juicy-fruity, to rich, elegant, |
| the exception of Northern wines using a majority of | | | | oaked red with medium to high tannin levels and |
| Syrah, product must contain a minimum of 40% | | | | higher alcohol content. "Zin" is frequently blended with |
| Grenache to be blended into the Côtes du | | | | other grapes. Best served at 59F, Zinfandel pairs well |
| Rhône. Best served at 59-64F and pairs well | | | | with grilled red or white meat, fish, lamb, gorgonzola |
| with game and other rich meat dishes. | | | | cheese and dark chocolate. Lighter Zinfandels can also |
| Malbec | | | | pair well with rich, creamy pastas, rotisserie chicken, |
| Originating from Bordeaux France, Malbec is generally | | | | duck, baked Italian dishes like lasagna, cannelloni and |
| a grape used for blending. In the sun-drenched | | | | Cajun to Asian fare. |
| climate of Argentina, Malbec has found renewed | | | | |