Red Wine

There is an enormous amount of red wine on the market. It is enough to intimidate a novice wine drinker into choosing one style and only ordering that specific one. Branching out is important, especially when dining out. Certain wine characteristics compliment food in many ways. For instance, a Syrah or Shiraz is excellent when paired with a dish emphasizing characteristics of pepper.

First, become familiar with several types of red wines. Many restaurants' wine list will have the basic reds on the list including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Shiraz, Zinfandel and Chianti.

Cabernet Sauvignon – One of the most popular red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium to full-bodied wine that is best paired with red meats, lamb, and chocolate. Some flavor characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignons are rich, red berries, green peppers, tobacco and chocolate. The word tannins is commonly associated with Cabernet Sauvignon since the thick skin of the grape carries a high level of tannins within in. Tannins create a puckering sensation in the mouth and found on the back of the tongue when enjoying some Cabernet Sauvignons.

Merlot - Smoother in comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is a red wine that tends to have fruity and soft characteristics. Tannin levels are significantly lower in Merlot. This easy-to-drink red is best paired with beef, veal, lamb and dishes made with tomatoes and strong cheeses. Merlot is a great way to begin drinking red wine for its smooth finish and uncomplicated characteristics.

Petit Sirah – This red wine has several different spellings, but remains the same in characteristics. Rich in tannins, this red wine is full in body. Petit Sirah will carry on notes of plums, cherries, blackberries and black pepper. Best paired with beef, game and lamb, Petit Sirah will also compliment a spicy dish.

Pinot Noir – Full-bodied, but not heavy, Pinot Noir's popularity has significantly increased since the release of the movie Sideways. This red wine is quite flavorful, yet velvety in texture. Pinot Noir is a quite versatile red wine since it can be paired with both red and white meats. It also compliments heavy seafoods and sauces made with tomatoes. This is a great red wine for beginners.

Syrah/Shiraz – Although the spellings are different, this grape varietal is the same. The different spelling is in regards to the location of production. Shiraz is to Australia as Syrah is to everywhere in between. This red wine is intense with flavor can be peppery at times. Served best with red meats, this red wine is also a lovely addition to a meal consisting of duck.

Zinfandel – Also known as Primitivo in Europe, Zinfandel is a red wine that can be found either light and fruity or lively and complex. It is a red wine that carries notes of raspberry, blackberry and black cherry. Deep in color, almost inky at times, Zinfandel is nicely paired with red meats and lamb. This red wine is also a nice pairing to cheeses like Gouda and Sharp Cheddar.

Chianti – This red wine is ruby red in color and possesses light tannic characteristics. Chianti is dry and sometimes cherry in flavor. Best to be served with rich meats, Chianti is also a red wine generally served with Italian dishes.

Ordering red wine can be a complex and complicated task for dining amateurs. Wine knowledge comes with time. Developing a palate for recognizing characteristics is a trait you acquire after sampling a large variety of wine.