Red wine, not surprisingly, is made from black grapes. What may be more surprising, is all black grapes can actually also make white wine. Sparkling wine is generally produced from a variety of 3 grapes, 2 of which are black (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). The juice from most black grapes is greenish-white, with the red colour coming from anthocyanin pigments present in the grape’s skin. What differentiates red and white wine colour is the exposure and time on the skin. The colour of red wine can range from bright violet, often seen in young wines, to brick red for more mature wines and brown for older reds.
A combination of several fundamental traits defines how bold the wine is. For example, tannin levels in wine indicate boldness, as does alcohol level as higher alcohol wines tend to taste bolder. On the other hand, wines with lower alcohol, less tannin, and higher acidity are lighter-bodied. You will also find the wine-making style and region can play a huge part as well. For example, Shiraz can range from full-bodied from the Barossa Valley to more medium styles in cooler climates like Yarra Valley.
Red wine offers diversity in both style and structure, making it ideal for enjoying with or without food. When looking to pair with dinner, the firmer structure of reds works well with more robust flavours. Fuller-bodied reds generally pair well with denser, heavier foods, while lighter-bodied reds with higher acidity pair well with lighter dishes. Matching the wine’s weight with the food’s richness is a great place to start.
You will find a wide range of red styles that can be categorised from light, medium, and full-bodied, generally categorised as below, with the wines becoming bolder as you read through the list.
Light-Bodied
Light-bodied red wines – Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Medium-Bodied
Medium-bodied red wines – Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Barbera, Merlot, Carmenere, Tempranillo, Montepulciano, Zinfandel, Chambourcin, Lagrein
Full-Bodied
Full-bodied red wines – Nebbiolo, Nero D’Avola, Anglicano, Malbec, Sagrantino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot, Petit Verdot, Mataro, Touriga, Shiraz, Durif, Tannat
