Types of Grapes Used for Making Red Wine

Although there are thousands of types of grapes. In wine making, the species vinifera a subdivision of the genus Vitis is the most commonly used.  Some wine is made from a different species of grape such as the Concord grape which belong to the Vitis labrusca.  These wines taste "foxy."   There are apparently over 10,000 species of wine grapes but most people will experience around 50 types.  In this section 12 popular grapes used in making red wine will be discussed.

Aglianco - Not popular outside of southern Italy.  One wine it is used to make is Taurasi.

Barbera - An Italian grape that is high in acid and low in tannin.  It can produce fruity wines

Cabernet Sauvignon - This grape can grow in many wine regions.  Its wines are high in tannin and are medium to full bodied.  It is often blended with the Merlot grape.

Gamay - It makes dark coloured wines that are low in tannin.  This grape does well in the Beaujolais district of France.

Grenache - This grape originated in Spain.  It can make wines that are light coloured and high in alcohol but also can make dark coloured wines with a fruity aroma and velvety texture.

Nebbiolo - This grape only appears to do well in Northern Italy; specifically in the Piedmont region.  Two of Italy's greatest wines are the Barolo and Barbaresco.  The Nebbiolo grape is high in tannin and acid and reasonably high in alcohol.  Its aroma is herbal (mint), earthy (tar)  and fruity (strawberry and jam).

Merlot - This grape produces wines that are high in alcohol, low in tannin, dark in colour, and full bodied.  The flavours can be plum or chocolate.

Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir is a very difficult grape to grow properly for wine because it requires a certain soil and climate combination.  But when it does grow right, it can make a fantastic wine.   The model wine for Pinot Noir is red Burgundy from France.

Sangiovese - For many years, Sangiovese grapes from the Tuscany region of Italy have been used in winemaking.  These grapes are used to make wines such as Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Motalcino.  Generally wines made from Sangiovese grapes are quite flavourful, medium to high in acidity, and medium in tannin.  Often these wines will smell of blackberry, cherry or plum with hints of spices.

Syrah / Shiraz -  This grape produces wines that are full body, high tannin and aromas/flavours that can even suggest smoked meat, tar or burnt rubber.

Tempranillo - This is a Spanish grape that makes wines that are dark in colour, have low acidity and contain moderate alcohol.

Zinfandel - This grape produces a wine that is high in alcohol, medium to high in tannin.  It has a fruity aroma, spicy or jammy flavour.