Red Wine Body-type and Style

Red wines are often classified by “body-type”. A red wine referred to as light-bodied is making a reference to the mouth-feel and tannin structure, having fewer tannins present and less presence on the palate. These wines tend to be less demanding partners with flavor-filled foods. An example of a light-bodied red wine would be one derived from the Gamay grape varietal, such as France’s famed young red wine: Beaujolais Nouveau.

The Gamay grape varietal which produces Beaujolais wine is typically light-bodied and fruity and meant for immediate consumption, having tropical flavors and aromas – reminiscent of bananas. There are wines made from Gamay produced in the designated Cru areas of northern Beaujolais with more body and tannin meant to be consumed after some modest aging; these wines typically have the flavor of sour cherries, black pepper, dried berry and blackcurrant. Gamay Beaujolais is considered to be an early ripening Californian clone of Pinot Noir. Gamay has also been introduced recently into Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine region, known for its wines made from Pinot Noir, another Burgundian grape.

A medium-bodied red wine will contain more tannins than the Beaujolais Nouveau but will not have the puckery mouth feel of an intense California Cabernet Sauvignon or an Italian Super Tuscan. Typical examples of medium-bodied red wines are Merlot, Shiraz and some Chianti.

Full-bodied red wines have the highest tannin and often alcohol content. Prime examples of full-bodied reds are France’s Bordeaux wines. California’s Cabernet Sauvignon ranges from medium-bodied to full-bodied with rich, ripe berry, tobacco and sometimes green pepper flavor. Italy’s Super Tuscans can not be easily pinned to one style, comprised mostly of Sangiovese, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Syrah.

In general, light-bodied wines tend to “feel” more like water in the mouth. In contrast, “full-bodied” wines feel heavier, more like milk, this effect is due in large part to the higher tannin (and again, alcohol) content.

Key Red Wine Varietals

The top red wine varietals that you are likely to encounter are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Grenache.

Sometimes, you will hear of red wines referred to by their popular regional names. For example, a “Bordeaux” is a red wine from France that is made primarily from three varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. Or move to ordering a wine from Italy and you will often hear of a Chianti- made from the Sangiovese grape varietal, or look at Piedmont’s Barolo or Barbaresco wines (both of which hail from the Nebbiolo varietal).

Common Red Wine Flavor Descriptions

Cherry

Plum

Strawberry

Blackberry

Raspberry

Currant

Gooseberry

Boysenberry

Raisin

Fig

Pepper (white/black)

Clove

Cinnamon

Coffee

Cocoa

Mocha

Tobacco

Leather

Licorice

Toast

Smoke

Violet