Red Wine
Red wine is made from dark-skinned grapes and is shaped by grape variety, fermentation, maceration, oak use, region and ageing. It can range from light and fresh to powerful, structured and cellar-worthy.
Main red wine grapes
Important red grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Malbec. Each grape creates a different profile of fruit, tannin, acidity and body.
Important red wine regions
Major red wine references include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Tuscany, Piedmont, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Napa Valley, Barossa Valley, Mendoza and Stellenbosch.
Trade note: For commercial buyers, red wine selection often depends on market positioning, price tier, brand story, vintage consistency and distribution channel.
Related pages
Read next: French wine, Italian wine, fine wine.