Top Wine Label World - Red Wine Labels

Red Wine Basics
With hundreds of varieties of red wine grapes, there is as much red wine information to learn about as there are red grapes planted in all corners of the globe. That being said, you'll likely encounter only a handful of these grapes most often. In our red wine basics section, Red Wine of States we cover the flavor profiles and regions of the most common red wine grapes. You can certainly choose to discover more beyond this short list, but for a quick and easy red wine 101, the following will fit the bill:

Red Varietal Wines
Varietal wines are named after their sole or dominant grape variety. U.S. federal regulations dictate that a wine must derive at least 75 percent from the grape variety that’s named on the label.

Best American Wines
White Wines

• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Other Whites

Red Wines

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot & Pinot Noir
• Syrah & Petite Sirah
• Zinfandel
• Other Reds

Sparkling Wines

• 5 Great Sparkling Wines for $20 or Less

Value Stemware

• Value Stemware

The Most Popular Types of Red Wine
Cabernet and Merlot are, of course, among the main varietals of red wine. They are also two of the most popular.Health Effects of Alcohol Here is the full list of main varietals of red wine:

• Cabernet Sauvignon - One of the best selling varietals of red wine in the United States. Cabs are generally big, full bodied and tannic.
• Merlot - These medium-bodied wines are less tannic than Cabernets.
• Pinot Noir - This red wine is growing very quickly in popularity and is right on the heels of Cabernet and Merlot. Pinots are typically medium to light bodied with a soft tannic structure.
• Syrah (Shiraz) - Syrahs have great forward fruit flavors with a hint of pepper and spice.
• Zinfandel - Zins run the gamut in flavor characteristics and range from big and hearty to light and delicate.

Winner: Columbia Crest H3 2009, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Created to highlight the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this lush Merlot (with 3 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 percent Malbec) has aromas of dust/minerality and dark cherries, with black pepper and chocolate-covered cherry lushness that Merlot drinkers love. Winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca aged this wine in mostly neutral French and American oak for a velvety texture. It’s hard to beat such a well-made Washington Merlot—in a state where there’s a lot of great Merlot—for the price