Best Red Wines


List of Best Red Wines 🍷🍇

This list focuses on the grape varieties used to make the best red wines popular around the world. After the grapes are grown, ripened, bottled and labelled in wineries and vineyards they end up in your local wine merchant, liquor store or supermarket where choosing the best red wines can be confusing – ADDucation is here to help.

How to Choose the Best Red Wines in 5 Easy Steps:

5 Steps to Choosing the Best Red Wines:

  1. Pick the wine Character, from our list, which appeals to you.
  2. Note the grape variety.
  3. Find wines in your locality which are made using the grape variety which appeals to you.
  4. Choose a bottle, or several to compare, to fit your budget.
  5. Experiment with other labels and grape varieties until you find your favorites – then share them with us in the comments below.

Cheers, Santé, Chinchín, Prost etc!

Important! Please drink responsibly and make yourself aware of the strength of alcoholic drinks. Visit Drinkaware, Rehabnet.com
ADDucation Tips:
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Grape Variety 🍇 Origin Color Character Cultivation / Grown Best Red Wines Notes
Barbera Piedmont region, Italy deep red Powerful red wines with a pronounced plum flavor and low tannins.
  • 🇮🇹Italy (Piedmont)
  • 🇺🇸USA (California)
  • 🇦🇷Argentina.
  • 🇲🇽 Mexico
  • 🇦🇺Australia.
Cabernet Franc Bordeaux region, France light red Fruity, lighter than its big brother Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • 🇫🇷France (Loire)
  • 🇦🇺Australia
  • 🇺🇸USA (California)
  • 🇿🇦South Africa.
Mainly blended, base of many famous Bordeaux wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux region, France black Aged 15-18 months in oak barrels and there develops vanilla aroma reminiscent of currants and licorice.
  • 🇫🇷France (Provence)
  • 🇮🇹Italy (Tuscany)
  • 🇨🇱Chile
  • 🇦🇷Argentina
  • 🇦🇺Australia.
High susceptibility to vine diseases (powdery mildew).
Carignan Aragon (Spain) dark red Tannin and acid-rich with slight plum and fig aroma.
  • 🇫🇷France
  • 🇩🇿 Algeria
  • 🇪🇸Spain.
Susceptible to mildew, blend for Rioja wines.
Grenache (Garnacha) North-East Spain light red Low tannins, alcohol rich yet soft, fruity flavor.
  • 🇪🇸Spain
  • 🇫🇷France.
Often used in rosé, resistant to heat, wind and drought.
Lambrusco Emilia-Romagna region, Italy dark red Sweet, fruity with a light mousse, should be drunk young.
  • 🇮🇹Italy (Modena, Parma and Lombardy).
Malbec Cahors region, SW France black-purple Fruity spices with notes of plum and tobacco.
  • 🇦🇷Argentina (Mendoza 70%)
  • 🇫🇷France (20%)
  • 🇨🇱Chile
  • 🇺🇸USA.
Very susceptible to frost.
Merlot Bordeaux region, France purple Soft, slightly plummy taste, medium alcohol content.
  • 🇫🇷France
  • 🇨🇭Switzerland (Ticino)
  • 🇮🇹Italy.
High proportion in Cuvee (blends) of Bordeaux wines.
Montepulciano Abruzzo region, Italy intense red Delicately aromatic, smooth taste, dry and rich in alcohol.
  • 🇮🇹Italy (Abruzzo, Marche, Umbria, Apulia).
Good for storing but can also be drunk young.
Pinot Noir (Pinot Burgundy) Probably Burgundy, France brick-red Velvety, with fine acidity, berry and cherry aromas.
  • 🇦🇷Argentina
  • 🇦🇺Australia
  • 🇨🇦 Canada
  • 🇨🇱Chile
  • 🇬🇧 UK
  • 🇫🇷 France (Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace)
  • 🇨🇭Switzerland
  • 🇩🇪 Germany (Palatinate)
  • 🇮🇹 Italy (South Tyrol)
  • 🇳🇿 New Zealand
  • 🇸🇮 Slovenia
  • 🇿🇦South Africa
  • 🇪🇸Spain (Catalonia)
  • 🇺🇸USA (California, Oregon).
Quality grape, important ingredient of Champagne; thin-skinned. Ideal soil is chalky clay.
Sangiovese Tuscany, Italy purple Strong acid and tannin structure with intense cherry aroma.
  • 🇮🇹Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Umbria)
  • 🇺🇸USA (California)
  • 🇫🇷France (Corsica)
  • 🇦🇷Argentina.
Main Chianti component. The name derives from Latin for “blood of love”.
Syrah (Shiraz) Rhone Valley dark red Tannic with peppery spices and strong blackcurrant aroma.
  • 🇫🇷France
  • 🇦🇺Australia (Shiraz)
  • 🇺🇸USA (California)
  • 🇿🇦South Africa.
Tempranillo La Rioja (Spain) deep red Strong, fruity, with hints of vanilla, tobacco and plums.
  • 🇪🇸Spain (Navarra)
  • 🇵🇹Portugal.
Noblest grape in Spain, blend for Rioja.

One More List For the Road? Or Not…