
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 Wine302
- Pinot Noir84
- Cabernet Sauvignon43
- Other Red Blends36
- Malbec24
- Gamay12
- Zinfandel12
- Sangiovese11
- Merlot9
- Syrah/Shiraz8
- Rhône Blends8
- Tempranillo8
- Bordeaux Red Blends6
- Grenache5
- Other Red Wine4
- Barbera3
- Cabernet Franc3
- Carmenere3
- Cinsault2
- Dolcetto2
- Montepulciano2
- Nebbiolo2
- Nero d'Avola2
- Primitivo2
- Tuscan Blends2
- Bonarda1
- Lagrein1
- Mourvedre1
- Negroamaro1
- Petite Sirah1
- Pinotage1
- Nerello Mascalese1
- Pais1
- 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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Schug Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
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The Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner 2019Other Red Blends from California
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DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Chateau Bourdieu No.1 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Alamos Malbec 2019Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina
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Martin Ray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
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Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2019Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
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Paul Dolan Vineyards Organically Grown Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from Mendocino, California
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Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2019Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ML half-bottle) 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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AERENA by Blackbird Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from North Coast, California
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Parducci Small Lot Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from California
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The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Silk and Spice Red Blend 2019Other Red Blends from Portugal
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Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Menage a Trois Red Blend 2019Other Red Blends from California
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Apothic Red Blend 2019Other Red Blends from California
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Hartford Court Russian River Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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The Prisoner Wine Company Saldo Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from California
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Belle Glos Clark and Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2019Gamay from Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
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Martinelli Giuseppe and Luisa Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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