Every wine has a taste profile.
The three major classic red wines produced in the world are: cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot noir, each with its own flavor characteristics. Zinfandel and shiraz, two other red wines, gained popularity during the last 20 years. Zinfandel is an identifiable American wine, while shiraz is now Australia's signature wine. As with all varietals, stylistic differences occur depending on soil, climate and vinification methods, but the core characteristics that identify each wine remain the same.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The king of red grapes, cabernet sauvignon, produces some of the finest red wines in the world. Most French Bordeauxs are predominantly cabernet sauvignon, which tend to be full-bodied, tannic wines. Cabernet has complex flavors of dark cherry, blackcurrant, chocolate and olives. Its aromas can be cedar, tobacco, leather or cigar box.
Merlot
Once primarily used as a blending grape, Merlot is now the single most popular red varietal in the United States. It is a medium-bodied, soft, plummy wine with flavors of black currant, blackberry, blueberry and chocolate, with aromas of mint and cedar.
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is the classic grape of Burgundy, France, that can produce, as with cabernet sauvignon, some of the finest red wines in the world. Also grown extensively in California and Oregon, pinot noir tends to be a light to medium-bodied wine noted for its rich garnet color and flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currant. It can have an aroma of earth, wood or rose petal.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is usually a brawny, full-bodied wine with alcohol contents sometimes exceeding 15 percent compared to other wines of 11 and 12 percent. It has flavors of cherries, strawberry and blackberry with aromas of spice, briar and eucalyptus. Red zinfandel is not to be confused with white zinfandel, the slightly sweet, pink wine.
Shiraz
Shiraz, or syrah, runs a gamut of flavors depending on where the grapes are grown. Shiraz can have abundant fruit flavors, such as black currant, plums, blackberry and chocolate. Its aromas can be of black pepper, spice, tar and tobacco.
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