| When it comes to red wine, it can get confusing | | | | Pinot Noir |
| as to which kind of wine is right for you. There | | | | Pinot Noir is associated with Burgundy region |
| is such a wide variety of grape types that go into | | | | wineries, and until recently was not produced with |
| wine production that you can find yourself | | | | particular success anywhere else. However New |
| bewildered when faced with a supermarket shelf. | | | | Zealand is now producing some very fine Pinot |
| To optimize the experience, red wines need time | | | | Noir wine. The wines produced by this grape are |
| to age, then a minute of time to breathe once | | | | at first summery in their taste. They remind you |
| opened before serving. They do not need to be | | | | of summer fruits. After five to ten years of |
| chilled, and they go well with strong flavours and | | | | maturing, however, this taste changes to become |
| dark meats. | | | | much richer, and deservedly more expensive. |
| In this article, different varieties of red wine | | | | Shiraz or Syrah |
| grapes are detailed, giving you as chance to | | | | What the French call Syrah, is known by |
| experiment with flavours whilst allowing you to | | | | Australians as Shiraz. It is traditionally grown in the |
| get to know some of the products that are | | | | Rhone Valley, but has become popular right |
| available. | | | | across the New World. There are great varieties |
| On the whole, there are six classic red grape | | | | of this distinct wine coming out of Australia, Chile, |
| varieties that make up the majority of wines that | | | | California and South Africa. It is one of the true |
| are available for purchase. There of course | | | | favourites of people who prefer red wine. The |
| others, but this is just an overview of the most | | | | flavour is fruity but sometimes can even be |
| common varieties available | | | | peppery, making it not a taste that everyone |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | | | | likes. |
| Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally associated with | | | | Sangiovese |
| Bordeaux but is now grown all over the New | | | | This is the most widely planted red grape in Italy. |
| World and Europe. It has a black current like | | | | Famous for Chianti (a product of this grape), it |
| taste, which is created from small grapes who | | | | has been regarded by many as a really tasty |
| have thick skins. Cabernet Sauvignon is probably | | | | pour from the jug wine. It may not be a fruity |
| one of the most established types of red wine | | | | wine, but it is a great partner for all types of |
| and it covers the world, ranging from Eastern | | | | food, it has a taste of black cherries but this is |
| European (often tight budget) speciality wines, | | | | often not that obvious. It is starting to become |
| through Chilean and Australian varieties, through to | | | | better known, and is certainly one to look out for |
| the prestigious and historic red wines of Bordeaux | | | | as the New World starts to get more interested |
| that have been matured to produce smoother, | | | | in and good at growing Sangiovese grapes. |
| generally more expensive wines. | | | | Nebbiolo |
| Merlot | | | | Nebbiolo is another of Northern Italy's classic |
| Merlot is also traditionally associated with the | | | | grapes which, despite being responsible for some |
| Bordeaux region of France. It hasn't spread | | | | of Italy's finest wines, has not been made the |
| across the world in the same way as the | | | | jump into the New World. It's spiritual home is |
| Cabernet Sauvignon due to its more specific soil | | | | Barolo, and it would seem ideally suited to planting |
| condition requirements. But it has found a happy | | | | in warmer climes. The taste is of black cherries |
| new home in the valleys of Northern California. A | | | | and sometimes even chocolate making it a rich |
| rich, juicy wine, it has tastes resembling fruitcake | | | | wine. |
| and black currant. | | | | |