There are many different types of red wine and red wine blends, but these popular and well-known types of red wine are most commonly seen on a wine list. While many are grown in famous wine making regions like northern California, France’s Rhone Valley and regions in Australia, there are many great tasting wines produced in Argentina and Chile too.

Merlot is known for being an easy to drink wine, that pairs well with many different types of food. Merlot also usually has a lower amount of tannins than a Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a good “beginner’s” wine because of its smooth flavor.

Malbec is another good “beginner’s wine” that is smooth like Merlot with berry flavors. Malbec is the most popular wine produced in Argentina, but it is also produced in Chile and in California. Pinot Noir is one of the popular wines grown in Burgundy and is notorious for its delicate and fruity flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, tends to be a more aggressive wine, tasting more full-bodied with age. Winemakers will blend Cabernet with Merlot and age the wine in oak barrels to give the wine a sweet, vanilla flavor.

Zinfandel is a versatile wine from California that is used to make blush wines like White Zinfandel and also robust red wine. It’s often paired with pizza and grilled food because of its peppery flavors. When in Italy, pair Sangiovese with your Mediterranean food. Sangiovese is a good medium-bodied wine produced in regions of Italy such as Tuscany.

Shiraz is a wine that is very commonly found in Australia. It is also called Syrah in Europe. While both Shiraz and Syrah refer to the same grape, they are two different styles of wine produced in two different locations. Shiraz and Syrah can have an intense flavor, so it is perfect served with a hearty stew or roast.

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