eCourse Wine For The Beginner Red Wine Selection Tips For Beginners

Wine For The Beginner - Red Wine Selection Tips For
Beginners

Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot, oh my. Understanding the complexities and variety of red wine can be
daunting, especially when it comes to choosing the correct wine for a dinner. Here are some wine
selection tips for five of the most popular red wines for the beginner.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Considered the "King of Red Wine Grapes", Cabernet Sauvignon originated in the Bordeaux region of
France and established itself in the California wine markets to become one of the world's most
popular red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually matured for 5-10 years to create a mellow-flavored
wine. It is often blended with other grapes, most notably Merlot, to create a soft wine with lively fruit
tones. Cabernets are medium to full-bodied wines high in tannins which carry rich berry, tobacco and
sometimes even green pepper flavors. Cabernet pairs well with lamb, red meats, hearty red pasta
dishes, strong cheese and dark chocolate.

Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir grape is very difficult to grow demanding climates with consistently warm days and
cool nights. Nonetheless, it is grown in regions including Oregon, California, New Zealand,
Australia, Germany and Italy. Due it's strict growing requirements, Pinot Noir is produced in lesser
quantities than many other popular red wines and tends to be a little pricier. It is a lighter colored and
flavored red wine with sweet undertones of berries, tomatoes, cherries, plums and earthy or woody
flavors depending upon where it is grown. Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile red wines and pairs
nicely with poultry, fish, lamb, pork, ham, spicy seasonings and cream sauces.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel has been a mainstay of the Californian wine market since the mid-1800s. Originally from
Italy, this robust grape has found a good home in the Americas. The Zinfandel grape produces two
varietals: the red Zinfandel, and the White Zinfandel (also called White Zin) which has become a
popular wine for the beginner. The basic Zinfandel is a rich, dark red wine with flavors of sweet
berries, plums and black pepper and undertones of oak. White Zinfandel is made by removing the
grape skins shortly after the grapes are crushed. The result is a rose to pink colored wine with a
lighter flavor. Red Zinfandel pairs nicely with red or white meat, hearty fish, burgers and spicy
dishes. White Zinfandel is suited to a large rage of foods including Cajun and Asian flavors, BBQ
chicken and heavy seafood dishes.

Merlot

Merlot originates from the Bordeaux region of France and is a soft and lush, medium-bodied wine. Its
juicy fruit flavors and low tannin content makes Merlot a popular wine for the beginner. Merlot has a
wide range of tones including plums, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and black pepper. Merlot is
often blended with other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to soften their flavors
and gain more structure and definition. Merlot is a versatile red which pairs well with pork, red
meats, pastas and salads.

Shiraz

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Known as Syrah in France, Shiraz is a bold, spicy wine which has become very popular in Australia
where it gained its alternative name. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with firm tannins that give it
a fuller body than most younger reds. Shiraz has an impressive range of flavors including black
cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, licorice and even dark chocolate and smoked
meat. Shiraz stands up well to hearty foods including grilled meats and vegetables, wild game,
seasoned red meats, beef stew and meaty pizzas.

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