Red Wine Descriptions

 

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOST COMMON RED WINES

  

Cabernet Sauvignon
{CAB-er-nay SO-vin-nyon}
Medium-bodied: Ruby colored wine with berry aromas and a round finish.
Full-bodied: Dark, rich garnet color with jam & oak aromas & full, dry finish.
Also look for these flavors: blackberry, currant (cassis), bell pepper, eucalyptus, mint, black olive, green olive, earth, mushroom, chocolate, cocoa, smoke, plum, cedar, tobacco, licorice, graphite (pencil).

  

Merlot
{mer-LOW}
Black cherry aromas & flavors; medium-body & soft tannins on the finish.
A softer version of Cabernet.  

 

Pinot Noir
{PEA-know-nwahr}
(It’s the grape used for all red French Burgundies)
Medium-bodied with a hint of earthy aromas balanced by fruit flavors and a silky finish.
Also look for: Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, prune, plum, pomegranate, coffee, spice, coriander, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, earth, smoke, mushroom, “barnyard”, caramel, allspice, violets, lavendar, jasmine, cocoa, sausage, citrus, soy, teriyaki.

  

Zinfandel
{ZIN-fan-del}
Bright ruby color; spicy aromas & flavors; it’s dry & medium to full-bodied.
Also look for: Blackberry, raspberry, jam, cherry, port, plum, chocolate, olive, bell pepper, cloves, black pepper, spice.

  

Beaujolais
{BO-zho-lay}
(or Beaujolais-Villages, Gamay Beaujolais}
Purplish color with grapey aromas and flavors; light to medium-bodied.
Also look for: Raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, clovbes, rose petal, jasmine, violets, cranberry, mineral.

  

Chianti
{key-ON-tea}
Dry, full-bodied, hint of spice and oak on the nose, velvety finish.
Also look for: cherry, cinnamon, herbs, dried flowers, pepper, coffee.

  

Sangiovese
{san-gee-oh-VAY-see}
Superb Italian red wine, medium to full-bodied with spice, raspberry, cherry and anise flavors.
Also look for: cinnamon, vanilla, herbs, tar, dried flowers, truffle, smoke, pepper, coffee, chamomile, rose petal.

  

Syrah
{sir-RAH}
Smooth, supple texture with pepper, spice and black cherry flavors.
Also look for: dark fruit, pepper, cinnamon, anise, prune, oak, soy, chocolate, smoke, toast, violets.