Red wine varietals and the differences between them

By : The Wine Shop | Comments Off on Red wine varietals and the differences between them | On : July 12, 2021 | Category : Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon (Cab-er-nay So-vin-yawn)

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing region, among a diverse spectrum of climates. Cabernet Sauvignon produces wines that are typically robust,
rich, tannic and earthy. Flavour characteristics include dark fruit, violet and spice.

Cabernet Franc (Cab-er-nay Frawnk)

Cabernet Franc produces wines that are generally medium-bodied and fruit-forward. Cabernet Franc is less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon but still has moderate levels of tannin. Flavour characteristics include dark fruit, spice and green pepper.

Merlot (Mer-Low)

First planted in Bordeaux, France, Merlot can be characterized as a medium-bodied wine that is often soft, smooth, mellow and fruity. It is lower in tannin than the Cabernet grapes and is frequently used in blends, contributing suppleness and fruit character. Merlot is increasingly being bottled as a single varietal and is
characterized by flavours of red fruit, cocoa and plum.