Red — Grapes Varieties — Every Glass Matters

Mourvèdre

Part of the famous GSM blend, Mourvèdre is used to make highly tannic and full-bodied wines. It needs lots of heat to ripen properly but can make very age-worthy wines.

GrapesCoralie StrongSeptember 18, 2019Australia, South Africa, America, California, Valencia, Jumilla DO, Alicante, Murcia, Spain, GSM, Grenache, Syrah, Shiraz, Languedoc, Phylloxera, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, Rhone Valley, Southern Rhone, Bandol, France, Highly tannic, full-bodied high in alcohol, Alcohol, Plum, Blackcurrant, Blackberries, Rose, Wet Stones, Sun, Heat, Rosé, Red, Oak, Mataró

Zinfandel

Zinfandel in America or Primitivo in Italy has a mixed reputation. From bold, high alcohol red wines to sweet pink rosé Zinfandel might not suit everyone’s tastes. However, when carefully produced the wines can be interesting with powerful aromatics and a rich structure.

Malbec

A popular red grape variety that rose to fame after clever marketing and easy food pairing suggestions.

GrapesCoralie StrongJune 4, 2019Chocolate, Plum, Cherry, Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Blackberry Tobacco, Black Pepper, Malbec, Argentina, Red Wine, Wine, Red, Full-Body, Steak, Full-Bodied, Glass, South America, Bordeaux, Cahor, Mendoza, Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux wine

Mencía

A great grape variety at home in Spain and Portugal.

GrapesCoralie StrongMarch 6, 2019Pomegranate, Thyme, Cherry, Chocolate, Liquorice Blackberry, Mencīa, Jaen, Portugal, Spain, Monterrei DO, Ribeira Sacra DO, Valdeorras DO, Galicia, Bierzo DO, Red, red wine, Oak, floral, fruit

Gamay

A great grape with a poor quality reputation. Gamay is hugely underrated in my opinion. Top quality Beaujolais Cru wines cannot only be of outstanding quality but also much more affordable in comparison to other French appellations.

GrapesCoralie StrongJanuary 29, 2019Gamay, France, Beaujolais, Cru, red wine, Red, Plum, Cherry, Strawberry, Carbonic Maceration, Beaujolais Nouveau, Banana, Raspberry, Sweet

Cabernet Sauvignon

The worlds' most famous red wine grape. Descendant of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Planted in warmer regions as tends to ripen later. Powerful aromas of blackcurrant, and if matured in new oak, aromas of cedar and tobacco can be seen. In youth deep purple in colour, ages well. The grapes are small but thick skinned-high ratio of colour matter and tannins to juice.

GrapesCoralie StrongJanuary 24, 2019China, Bordeaux, Red, red fruit, red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, USA, California, Napa Valley, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Cherry, Blackberry, Plum, Oak, Toast, Cedar, Mint, St-Émilion, Medoc, Haut-Medoc, Spain, Italy, Languedoc, France

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc shines in its ability to show off its elegant structure and perfumed aromas.

GrapesCoralie StrongOctober 25, 2018Cabernet Franc, red wine, red fruit, Red, Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Loire, Bordeaux, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Cheval-Blanc, St-Émilion, Hungary, Italy, USA, Washington, California, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Chile, Uruguay, Caberes, Red pepper, Strawberry

Montepulciano

Confusing because of its name. ‘Montepulciano’ is a much more famous medieval hill town in Tuscany, Italy.

GrapesCoralie StrongAugust 19, 2018Italian, Italy, red wine, Red, Marche, Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Puglia, Molise, New Zealand, America, Australia, DOCG, Colline Teramane, Clove, Nutmeg, Cherry, Blackberry

Carménère

A black grape variety best known in Chile. Phylloxera almost wiped it out but luckily plantings remained.

GrapesCoralie StrongApril 29, 2018wine, red wine, Red, Chile, Carmenère, medium-bodied, red fruit, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Maipo Valley, France, Phylloxera

Touriga Nacional

The most famous variety used in the production of port. High tannin, acid and deeply coloured wines. It's grown throughout Portugal and also in Spain, USA, Australia and South Africa.

GrapesCoralie StrongDecember 7, 2017Portugal, Douro Valley, Dao, Touriga Nacional, Red, Tannin, Full body, Blackberry, Plum, fruit, Spain, America, Australia, South Africa, Mint, Violets

GRAPES

Check out the 'Grape Guide' to find out key information about each grape or select an article below for more information

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