The Red Wine Types You Should Know, from Sweet to Dry

If you want to discover more red wine types, weve got just the list for you!

And while most red wines are dry, there are definitely a few sweet reds out there.

Now, lets get started!

Carmenere

This grape has an interesting story.

Carmenere went from almost extinct to the poster child of Chiles wine industry.

Hows that for a success story?

Its magical with thismushroom pepper steak recipe.

Zinfandel

Many wine drinkers will associate Zinfandel with California, but the grape actually has Croatian origins.

Its also heavily planted in the south of Italy where its known as Primitivo.

There are plenty of impressive dry Zinfandels.

Youll also get more raspberry and strawberry in a glass of Cabernet Franc.

Made in both red and rose styles, Cab Franc shines with meat dishes as well asroasted bell peppers.

Pinot Noir

Another excellent choice for anyone who prefers light to medium-bodied wines is Pinot Noir.

Its one red wine you’re free to serve up withfatty fish, like salmon.

Lambrusco

Weve covered a few dry styles, so lets dive into some of the sweets.

DrinkLambrusco with pizza, cured meats, and pork.

Its a must for grilling and any time you decide to smoke, roast or barbecue meats.

Sangiovese

The quintessential Italian grape is responsible for the wines of Chianti and Brunello.

Uncork a bottle of Sangiovese with pretty much anything in tomato sauce.

Brachetto dAcqui

Sweet wine lovers take noteBrachetto dAcqui is the sparkling dessert red youve been searching for.

Another Italian grape, this time from Piedmont, Brachetto is usually made into a semi-sparkling sweet wine.

Raspberries, cherries and rose petals characterize this lovely bubbly wine.

Wed definitely serve this one up withchocolate cherry dessertsor as something unique for Valentines Day.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is one of Spains great wines.

Grenache

Grenache boasts plenty of lovely berry flavors like strawberry and raspberry.

Its a dry wine but gets quite ripe.

Its a versatile grape.

Red wines made from Grenache go well with everything from grilled fare to your favorite hearty dishes.

Grenache is also made as a roseandis fortified for certain dessert wines.

Look for examples from Banyuls.

Its made by partially drying the grapes on straw mats to concentrate flavor.

The wine itself tastes of ripe black fruits and chocolate.

Merlot may be bottled solo or it can be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc.

One thing we can assure you, it makes a truly fine wine.

Meat and cheese go well with Merlot (hello, cheese board!).

Pork and veal are also especially tasty pairings.

Drink dry Touriga with stews and roasts and preserve your Port for nutty chocolate desserts.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular wines around.

This black, fruit-driven wine intermixes bramble fruits with a hint of mint and spice.

Serving up meat dishes?

When in doubt, go with Cabernet.

Drink with duck, beef,mushroom dishesor truffles.

Sweet Black Muscat wines taste of roses, dried stone fruit, cherry, lychees and berry jam.

The wines are produced in warmer climates like those found in California and Australia.

Though it occasionally makes its way into wine, Black Muscat typically appears as a table grape.

Looking for a pairing?

Three words:chocolate berry tart.

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