
Red Wine
Learn about red wine — the range of styles, how it’s made and more ...
What are the types and styles of red wine?
Ranging in style from light and full of finesse to bold and structured, red wine is produced in almost every wine region of the world. Though there are about 35 varieties that contribute to the majority of red wine production, countless native varieties are important not only to local culture, but to the diversity of globally traded wine. Warmer, sunnier climates produce robust and concentrated wines while cooler regions, where long, even grape ripening and thus natural acidities create some of the world’s most elegant red wines.
How is red wine made?
To make red wine, the pressed grape juice is left in contact with its skins—a process called maceration—in order to draw out color, tannins and phenols (compounds responsible for the complex aromas and flavors in wine). Occurring before, during or after fermentation, whereby yeasts turn grape sugar into alcohol, longer macerations in general produce bolder red wines (with a point of diminishing returns). Red wines benefit from a resting period of a few months to a few years in wooden barrels (or other containers) before release to the market.
What gives red wine its color?
Red grape skins give color to the finished wine through the maceration process. In general, shorter time on skins results in lighter red tones; longer time gives deeper red tones. On top of that, each grape type has a unique hue. For example Nebbiolo is typically pale garnet, Merlot is often bright ruby and Syrah can be opaque purple.
How do you serve red wine?
The idea that red wine should be served at room temperature came about in ancient France when the indoor temperatures were likely to be about 60F. Chambre, for “room” in French, described a wine that had been brought to this “room temperature” from the cellar. Today if you don’t have the luxury of keeping your red wine in a proper cellar or wine refrigerator, a trick of the trade is to put the bottle you plan to serve in the refrigerator for 30 to 40 minutes to cool it down to about 55F to 60F for lighter bodied wines and to 60F to 65F for fuller bodied wines. As for drinking red wines, the best red wine glasses have a stem and a bowl large enough to allow swirling without spilling. Aromatic reds fare best in glasses with a wider bowl to allow full release of the bouquet.
How long does red wine last?
Opened, a bottle of red wine will stay fresh in a cool, dark environment for one to two days, maybe longer. Unopened, red wines stay good for one year to several decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning to strategically store red wine, seek the advice of a wine professional.
- Red Wine3018
- Pinot Noir608
- Cabernet Sauvignon606
- Other Red Blends295
- Bordeaux Red Blends244
- Sangiovese155
- Tempranillo151
- Rhône Blends138
- Syrah/Shiraz131
- Malbec115
- Merlot106
- Nebbiolo86
- Zinfandel72
- Grenache47
- Tuscan Blends37
- Gamay32
- Cabernet Franc26
- Barbera19
- Carmenere14
- Montepulciano14
- Nero d'Avola13
- Petite Sirah13
- Other Red Wine12
- Mourvedre10
- Mencia9
- Nerello Mascalese8
- Aglianico7
- Carignan6
- Pinotage5
- Bonarda4
- Cinsault4
- Primitivo4
- Agiorgitiko4
- Corvina3
- Dolcetto3
- Lagrein2
- Negroamaro2
- Gaglioppo2
- Xinomavro2
- Petit Verdot1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- Sagrantino1
- Schiava1
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1 Liter Bottle) 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Decoy California Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Petra Zingari Toscana 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Lemelson Thea's Select Pinot Noir 2017Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2012Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Bella Union by Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Conundrum Red Blend 2018Other Red Blends from California
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Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Ridge Lytton Springs 2018Other Red Blends from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Ceretto Barbaresco 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Cellier des Dauphins Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2018Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Ribebon Bordeaux Superieur 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley, Chile
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Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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