(Wine) Red Varietals

Question 1

Gamay

Answer 1

A light-bodied red wine that’s similar in taste to Pinot Noir. In fact, this variety is a cousin of Pinot Noir and it grows primarily next to Burgundy

Black Currant • Raspberry • Violet • Potting Soil • Banana

Dry • Medium Body • Low Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 2

Pinot Noir

Answer 2

Pinot Noir is the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine. It’s loved for its red fruit, flower, and spice aromas that are accentuated by a long, smooth finish.

Cherry • Raspberry • Mushroom • Clove • Hibiscus

Dry • Medium Body • Low Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 3

Barbera

Answer 3

Barolo is what everyone talks about from Piedmont, but Barbera is what everyone drinks! This everyday red can be found in vineyards around the world.

Tart Cherry • Licorice • Blackberry • Dried Herbs • Black Pepper

Bone-dry • Medium-full Body • Low Tannins • High Acidity

Question 4

Cabernet Franc

Answer 4

Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex reds result, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper (pyrazines).

Strawberry • Raspberry • Bell Pepper • Crushed Gravel • Chili Pepper

Dry • Medium Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 5

Carignan

Answer 5

Carignan (“care-in-yen”) is a medium-bodied red wine that grows mostly in Southern France where it’s a major blending grape in Côtes Catalanes, Corbières, Minervois, Fitou and Faugères

Question 6

Grenace

Answer 6

Grenache (aka Garnacha) produces rich, flavorful red wines and deep, ruby-tinted rosé. The French have championed this grape in the Southern Rhône Valley but it’s original home is Spain!

Stewed Strawberry • Grilled Plum • Leather • Dried Herbs • Blood Orange

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 7

Merlot

Answer 7

Merlot is loved for it’s boisterous black cherry flavors, supple tannins, and chocolatey finish. On the high end, it’s often mistaken with Cabernet Sauvignon and commonly blended with it.

Cherry • Plum • Chocolate • Bay Leaf • Vanilla

Bone-dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 8

Montepulciano

Answer 8

A popular Italian red grape found mostly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The best examples deliver complex black fruit flavors and a smoky-sweet finish.

Red Plum • Blackberry • Dried Thyme • Baking Spices • Mesquite

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 9

Negroamaro

Answer 9

A red wine that grows in abundance in Puglia but almost nowhere else; producing wines with rich black fruit flavors with a distinct finish of dried herbs.

Black Cherry • Black Plum • Blackberry • Prune • Dried Thyme

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 10

Rhône / GSM Blend

Answer 10

GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre – three important grapes grown in the Côtes du Rhône region of France. Today, this blend is produced throughout the world and is loved for its complex red fruit flavors and age-worthy potential.

Raspberry • Blackberry • Rosemary • Baking Spices • Lavender

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 11

Sangiovese

Answer 11

Italy’s most planted wine variety and the pride of the Tuscan regional wine, Chianti. Sangiovese is a sensitive grape that takes on different stylistic expressions based on where it grows.
Cherry

Roasted Tomato • Sweet Balsamic • Oregano • Espresso

Bone-dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 12

Zinfandel

Answer 12

A fruit-forward-yet-bold red that’s loved for its red fruit flavors and smoky exotic spice notes. Originally from Croatia and related to top Croatian grape, Plavic Mali.

Blackberry • Strawberry • Peach Preserves • Cinnamon • Sweet Tobacco

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium-low Acidity

Question 13

Aglianico

Answer 13

If Nebbiolo is king of Northern Italy, then Aglianico is king of the South. A wine with incredible quality, and a unique savory flavor that’s best enjoyed aged.

White Pepper • Black Cherry • Smoke • Game • Spiced Plum

Bone-dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 14

Aglianico

Answer 14

If Nebbiolo is king of Northern Italy, then Aglianico is king of the South. A wine with incredible quality, and a unique savory flavor that’s best enjoyed aged.

White Pepper • Black Cherry • Smoke • Game • Spiced Plum

Bone-dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 15

Bordeaux Blend

Answer 15

A red blend that’s dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with several other grape varieties native to the Bordeaux region of France.

Black Currant • Black Cherry • Graphite • Chocolate • Dried Herbs

Bone-dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 16

Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer 16

The world’s most popular red wine grape is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its high concentration and age worthiness.

Black Cherry • Black Currant • Cedar • Baking Spices • Graphite

Dry • Full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 17

Malbec

Answer 17

Argentina’s most important variety came by way of France, where it’s commonly called Côt (sounds like “coat”). Wines are loved for their rich, dark fruit flavors and smooth chocolatey finish.

Red Plum • Blackberry • Vanilla • Sweet Tobacco • Cocoa

Dry • Full Body • Medium Tannins • Medium-low Acidity

Question 18

Mourvedre

Answer 18

A deeply bold, smoky red wine found in abundance in Central Spain and Southern France (where it’s known as Mourvèdre). Monastrell is the “M” in the Rhône / GSM blend.

Blackberry • Black Pepper • Cocoa • Tobacco • Roasted Meat

Dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 19

Nebbiolo

Answer 19

One of Italy’s most important red wine varieties made famous by the Barolo region of Piedmont where wines offer delicate aromas accompanied by strong tannins.

Cherry • Rose • Leather • Anise • Clay Pot

Bone-dry • Medium-full Body • High Tannins • Medium-high Acidity

Question 20

Nero D’Avola

Answer 20

Sicily’s most important red wine variety is often likened to Cabernet Sauvignon due to its full-bodied style and flavors of black cherry and tobacco.

Black Cherry • Black Plum • Licorice • Tobacco • Chili Pepper

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 21

Petit Verdot

Answer 21

Considered a minor blending grape in Bordeaux, Petit Verdot has shown promise as a single-varietal wine in warmer climates where it makes smooth full-bodied reds.

Black Cherry • Plum • Violet • Lilac • Sage

Dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 22

Petite Sirah

Answer 22

Petit Sirah is loved for its deeply colored wines with rich black fruit flavors and bold tannins. The grape related to Syrah and the rare French grape, Peloursin. The French call it “Durif” but this wine is rare outside of California.

Sugarplum • Blueberry • Dark Chocolate • Black Pepper • Black Tea

Dry • Full Body • High Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 23

Pinotage

Answer 23

South Africa’s own hearty red was created in 1925 and is a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir. Oddly enough, Pinotage is bolder than both its progenitors.

Black Cherry • Blackberry • Fig • Menthol • Roasted Meat

Dry • Full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Low Acidity

Question 24

Syrah

Answer 24

A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. Syrah is the most planted grape of Australia where they call it Shiraz.

Blueberry • Black Plum • Milk Chocolate • Tobacco • Green Peppercorn

Dry • Full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium Acidity

Question 25

Tempranillo

Answer 25

Spain’s top red wine, made famous by Rioja, where wines are classified (in part) by how long they age in oak. What’s amazing, is a well-made Tempranillo ages for over 20 years.

Cherry • Dried Fig • Cedar • Tobacco • Dill

Dry • Medium-full Body • Medium-high Tannins • Medium-high Acidity