Basic red wine knowledge | A must-have red wine course for beginners

For beginners, getting started with wine tasting can feel a bit difficult and overwhelming. There are many types of red wine and the prices vary greatly. How do you choose the red wine that suits you? To fully enjoy its wonderful flavor, it is essential to master some basic red wine knowledge. Don’t worry, here is a comprehensive introduction to red wine, allowing you to easily start your red wine tasting journey!

Wine Knowledge Learn about different types of wine

The characteristics and flavor of red wine often come from different grape varieties. Each type of grape has its own unique characteristics, such as skin thickness, seed size and sweetness of the flesh, and these differences will directly affect the flavor of red wine. Next, we will get to know four common red wine varieties and understand their unique charm.

Four common red wine varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

The most classic and well-known black grape variety, known as the "King of Red Wine". This grape has small berries and thick skin. The red wine it produces is full-bodied, with strong tannins and a strong taste, exuding rich aromas of black currant, blackberry and black cherry. It has a strong aging ability and its taste becomes smoother after aging in oak barrels.

Merlot

The taste is relatively soft and delicate, the body is medium, the tannins are smooth, and it is very easy to drink. Its aroma has notes of ripe cherries, bruschetta, chocolate and spices. In addition to being brewed alone, Merlot is often used by winemakers to blend with grape varieties with a heavier body and stronger astringency to balance the sour taste.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a grape that has extremely high requirements for climate and soil, so there are not many regions where it can be successfully grown. Pinot Noir red wine is lighter in color, lighter in body, and has a velvety texture, full of fresh and ripe strawberry, cherry or mulberry flavors that are intoxicating.

Syrah/Shiraz

The wine has a full body and rich tannins. Common aromas include blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black pepper, coffee or smoke. The spice flavor is prominent and has a strong presence. Depending on the producing area, Syrah/Shiraz red wine has different styles: French Syrah red wine has an elegant and complex aroma, while Australian Shiraz has a richer and bolder flavor.

New World vs Old World

When learning about red wine, it is crucial to understand the concepts of "New World" and "Old World". These two refer to the origin of the red wine: whether it comes from a traditional red wine producing area or an emerging wine producing area. Since the two have different historical backgrounds, this also profoundly affects the winemaking style. Knowing these differences can help you quickly determine the flavor of red wine.

Old World Red Wine

Old World red wines come from traditional wine-producing regions in Europe, such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. These regions have a long history of winemaking and are generally known for their elegant taste. Old World red wines are medium-bodied with prominent tannins, often with complex aged flavors such as earth and spices that leave a lasting aftertaste.

New World Red Wine

New World red wines come from emerging wine producing regions such as the United States, Chile, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. The wines produced in these regions are more modernized and are usually fruity, full-bodied, with soft tannins and distinct oak and spice flavors, which are refreshing.

With these basic knowledge of red wine, I believe you can find your favorite wine! If you want to learn more about the secrets of red wine, please feel free to consult our professional wine consultants. They will provide one-on-one guidance based on your preferences and budget and help you choose the most suitable wine for free.

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