Ranging in style from light and elegant to bold and structured, red wine is produced just about everywhere in the world vines are planted. There are several dozen varieties that contribute to the majority of wine production, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. These are grown throughout the world, in addition to the many native varieties found in their respective regions. Red grapes tend to ripen better in warmer, sunnier climates—producing more robust and concentrated wines--though some of the world’s most elegant red wines come from cooler regions where alcohol levels are kept at bay and natural acidity remains crisp and refreshing.

Both red and white grapes have clear juice—the difference is in the skins. This is where pigments, as well as tannins, are found. When making red wine, the juice is left in contact with the skins, leeching out these pigments with the help of heat and alcohol generated by fermentation. For a more deeply colored wine, the winemaker has several options in the cellar including increasing the fermentation temperature or prolonging the skin-contact period. The resulting shade of red can range from pale garnet to bright ruby to opaque purple.