Types of Red Wine: Flavors, Aromas, Varieties & More

Learn about the most popular types of red wine, information on dry red wine types, and definitions of wine types including Cabernet wines, Pinot wine and much, much more.

types of red wine

You can try many different types of wines from Cabernet Sauvignon wine to Syrah wine. Some other popular red wine types include Zinfandel wine, Pinot Noir wine and Merlot wine.

Here you will find a quick overview on these popular wines. You can also find information on some of the other red wines such as Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Malbec and more.

Red wines are my favorite. There are just so many great ones to choose from. If you are just starting out, I recommend starting with a lighter, softer red such as a Barbera or Pinot Noir Wine. If you like heavier reds, try out something a little different such as a Grenache or Zinfandel wine. Overall, the more you try them, the more you will appreciate and enjoy their diversity.

Hundreds of Red Wine Types

Did you know there are hundreds of types of red wine? This includes both the varieties and the clones of each variety. This is a lot to remember!

The good news is that much of the industry focuses on around 50 or so of the top types of red wine. They also typically use the more common name for the wine instead of the lesser known name of the specific clone.

The name of the grape is also the name you find on the label. For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon grape is responsible for Cabernet Sauvignon wine. The grape is also the main source of the wines tastes and flavors.

In addition to the grape, the aging process and other wine making techniques influence the finished bottle of wine. If a wine is aged in oak barrels, you can taste the oak of the wine in your glass. This is just one example of an external factor that impacts the overall wine.

Red wines are known for their red and black fruity flavors. It depends on the variety you choose, but red wine has hints of cherry, strawberry or blackberry. Spicy flavors such as black pepper or cinnamon, earthy flavors such as leaves or minerals and herbal flavors such as rosemary or grass are also common.

Every one of the types of red wine has a slightly different combination and intensity of flavor.

Types of Red Wine: Overview of Popular Varieties

With hundreds of varieties, it's hard to know where to start. Below you will find a quick summary of some of the most popular types of red wine. Click through to learn even more details about each one.

Here is a list of the main red wines covered on this page. Feel free to jump ahead to the red wine that interests you the most.

Barbera | Cabernet Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon | Grenache

Malbec | Merlot | Pinot Noir | Syrah and Shiraz

Sangiovese | Tempranillo | Zinfandel

Lesser Known Reds | Organic Wine | New vs Old World Wines

Barbera Wine

Barbera is a light, smooth red wine. You will find it primarily grown in Italy's Piedmont region. The wine is low in tannins, but high acidity. This makes it the perfect complement to Italian dishes with tomato sauce.

Barbera wine has a troubled past, but is starting to become popular once again. Discover the world of Barbera wine including what regions to look for when buying it.

Cabernet Franc Wine

Until recently, it was rare to find a single varietal Cabernet Franc wine. Producers primarily used it as a blending grape to soften out Cabernet Sauvignon or to provide some support to Merlot.

Today, you will find more and more regions mastering this grape to make smooth, fruity red wines. Learn more about Cabernet Franc wine, the top regions to look for when buying this wine and why it is such as important grape in red wine history.

Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

One of the most recognizable types of red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. For many years, it was considered the best red wine in the world. This is still true in many regions such as Bordeaux in France and Napa Valley in California. However, other red wines -- especially Merlot -- are gaining in popularity.

Cabernet Sauvignon wine is a big and bold wine. It is high in tannins, but aging them in oak softens them out a little.

Uncover the flavors and aromas for Cabernet Sauvignon wine. In addition, learn more about the regions to search for when looking for top of the line Cab wines.

Grenache Wine

Grenache wine is a new discovery for me and not as well known as many other red wines. The irony is that it is one of the most planted red wines in the world.

Similar to Cabernet Franc, wine makers primarily used this wine in blends until recently. Up and coming regions, such as the Languedoc in France, are making some great and affordable wines from Grenache grapes.

You will also see this grape listed as Garnacha. This is the Spanish name for this wine -- which is its original home.

Learn about Grenache wine including a little more about its history, other regions that make this wine and its common tastes and aromas. This is another great option if you are just getting started on red wines or looking for something a little different.

Malbec Wine

Many people associate Malbec wine with Argentina. However, its origins are in Bordeaux in France and it is one of the five main reds used in the famous Bordeaux blend. Throughout the years, France faced many challenges with this grape and many replaced their Malbec vines with other reds.

In the last few decades, Argentina adopted it as their primary red. The conditions in Argentina are better suited for this variety, so it thrives there.

Most Malbec wines are deep in color. You will find they are fruity and sometimes a little spicy. Uncover more details and other common regions for some of the best Malbec wine.

Merlot Wine

People seem to have a love - hate relationship with Merlot. Up until recently, I really could not understand why it was so popular. With some hard work -- um, tasting -- I was finally able to find quite a few wonderful Merlot wines.

The root of this issue came from a supply shortage in the 1980s. Many producers had to increase their supply quickly, which decreased the overall quality of this wine. This created a low perception of the wine, which continued until just a few years ago.

The history of this wine is very fascinating, but drinking a great Merlot is more fun. Find out more about its troubled past and my recommendations on the regions for some of the best Merlot wine.

Pinot Noir Wine

Pinot Noir wine is a light, sophisticated wine that is one of my favorites. It is one of the hardest types of red wine to grow, so finding one at a decent price can be a challenge.

Cooler climate areas such as Russian River Valley in California and Burgundy in France are the perfect places to grow this wine. California's version of the wine is a little more fruit forward than its French counterpart.

Discover more information on Pinot Noir wine including other popular regions, common aromas and flavors and what foods pair best with this tough to grow red.

Sangiovese Wine

If you are familiar with Chianti wine, then you have tried Sangiovese. Italy names many of their wines by the region, which is why the name Chianti is more recognized than Sangiovese.

The acidity of this type of red wine is high. This makes it a great match with Italian foods, specifically those with some spices or red sauce.

Cherry, plum, cinnamon and vanilla are just some of the flavors and aromas that sneak out of each glass of this red. Find more details on Sangiovese wine including a little about its history, other regions where it is popular and tips for serving.

Syrah and Shiraz Wine

The relationship between Syrah and Shiraz wine can be confusing. Both are from the same grape. The difference between the two is in how the grape is then turned into wine.

Uncover the other differences between Syrah wine and Shiraz including which regions are the best for each one.

Tempranillo Wine

Fruity, yet spicy is how you would describe Tempranillo wine. This Spanish native loves the heat, but also the cool nights at high altitude.

Rioja in Spain is the most popular region for this wine. However, there are two other regions in Spain that are also producing some amazing reds from Tempranillo grapes.

Read on to discover more about Tempranillo wine and the roots of this spicy, affordable red from Spain.

Zinfandel Wine

Zinfandel wine is another one of my favorites. It is considered by some as more of a regional wine since it is grown widely in only a few key wine regions in the world. It is another one of the most challenging types of red wine to grow.

Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile in Sonoma County California are two of the most popular regions for Zinfandel. Both have moderate climates with vineyards at an altitude that is perfect for this finicky red.

You will also hear terms such as old vine and late harvest associated with this wine. Learn more about these terms, how to find a great Zinfandel wine and the origins of this mysterious red.

Different Types of Red Wine

There are a number of different types of wines that are lesser known. These types of red wine varieties range from Nebbiolo Wine, one of the most popular red wines in Italy to Gamay Wine, the heart of the popular Beaujolais wine from France.

Learn more about some of these lesser known types of red wine that are typically popular in their respective wine regions.

Buying Red Wine Online

The best place to find a wide variety of red wines is online. Not only do online retailers have a great selection of the different types of red wine, it is also easier to find some deals.

When buying online, try to find a red wine that is highly rated, but still affordable. This is a great way to try some new reds without spending too much on each bottle of wine.

There are two ways to find the great deals. I recommend checking out Wine.com's 90+ rated wines under $20 and their 'great deals' sections. Both of these will give you a good selection of wines, but allow you to buy more than one bottle so you can sample a wider selection of the different types of red wines.

90+ Rated Wines

These are wines tasted and judged by highly qualified wine organizations. You can find many in the 90 to 91 range under $20 because the cost to make certain wines is lower than others. The other reason some are still under $20 is that it might be from a region that is not as well know. Review the list of 90+ rated red wines under $20.

Great Deals

The great deals section is another place to pick up some great wines. Again, I usually look at the highly rated wines and review the savings on each one. Just because the wine is marked down, does not mean it is a low quality wine. Online retailers do this frequently to make room for new vintages coming out soon.

To find a good value, use some of the information above about each wine to find the top regions. This way, you know you are going to get a decent wine at a great price. Find great deals on red wine online today!

Types of Red Wine: Organic Wine

Recently, organic wine has also gained in popularity. These are produced using no fertilizers or other chemicals during the growing process.

There are a lot of great options on the market today. This section talks a little more about how organic wine is made and marketed.

Old World vs New World Wine

Is there really a difference between the two? Are old world wines better than new world wines? Find the answers to these questions and more in the article: New World Wine vs Old World Wine: How Are They Different?

At the end of the article, you can also learn more about how to set up a tasting to compare them for yourself.

wine book cover

Do you want to learn even more about wine? The Only Wine Book You'll Ever Need is a great book for both novices and those that already know a little about wine.

It covers everything from the most important types of red wine to tips on finding the right wine for that special occasion. It also includes topics on serving and ordering wines.

This is a great companion wine book for anyone buying wine for themselves or wanting to fit into a wine social event. It covers all the basics and allows you to be at ease in any wine situation.

Read on to learn more about The Only Wine Book You'll Ever Need.

Ordering Wine in a Restaurant: Do you struggle when you receive the wine list in a restaurant? Read on to find some of the best tips on how to order wine in a restaurant. On this page, you will learn about how the menu is organized, how to find the right wine and what to do when the waiter brings the bottle to the table.

Wine Tasting Etiquette: Follow this step by step process and you will be tasting the different types of red wine like a pro in no time. In addition to the process, you will find some other things to keep in mind while still getting the most out of your wine tasting experience.

Wine Tasting Party Ideas: Are you interested in hosting your own wine tasting party? If so, read on for ideas on setting up your party, how to create a budget and how to ensure you have enough wine for all your guests. You will also find recommendations for wine tasting party invitations and pairing food with the different types of red wine.

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Find the latest information on red wine antioxidants on Antioxidant Buzz. This is a great site with quite a bit of information on red wine and antioxidants.

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