Red Wine Grapes - Most Common Types

Do you have a preference for red wine?

Red wines are generally made from grapes from one or more selections of European type grapes. There are red wines that use one variety of grapes as the main ingredient. This mixture is known as varietal.

Red wines contain antioxidants called polyphenols that may help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. They also contain resveratrol. This substance may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce "bad" cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Wine, just as any other alcoholic beverage, should be drank in moderation.

The most common types of red wines are:

Cabernet Sauvignon - This grape variety is grown in nearly every wine producing country in diverse climates. It is the product of crossing Cabernet franc and Sauvignon blanc in France in the 17th century.

Pinot Noir - These grapes are dark purple and are grown around the world in cool regions. It is associated with the Burgundy region of France.

Merlot - The grape is used as a varietal grape and a blending grape. The grapes are black in color. It is one of the most popular red wine varietals.

Zinfandel - This variety of red grape is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Cljenak Kastelansi and the Primitivo variety of Italy.

Cabernet Franc - This one of the major red grape varieties in the world. It is used for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The grapes are a blue-black color.

Chianti - This Italian red wine is made up of 75 -100% Sangiovese, a purple grape; 10% Canaiolo, a red wine grape grown in Central Italy; and 15% Malvasia bianca, a group of white grape varieties grown in the Mediterranean region and the island of Madeira. Chianti Classico does not contain any variety of white grapes.

Barolo - This wine is produced from the Nebbiolo grape variety from the Piedmont region of Italy.

Barberesco - This red wine is also made from the Nebbiolo grape and is also produced in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Petite Sirah - This red wine grape is a Durif grape known in the U. S. and Israel as Petite Sirah.

Syrah or Shiraz- This black grape is grown throughout the world and is also known as Shiraz.

Sangiovese - This red Italian wine grape is the main component of Chianti.

Malbec - This a variety of purple grape used in the blend of red Bordeaux wine.

Tempranillo - This variety of black grape is grown in Spain and is the main grape used in Rioja.

Grenache - This one of the most widely planted red grape varieties in the world. It grows best in hot, dry conditions.

The quality of red wines is dependent on the variety of the grapes used. Great wine is made from quality grapes.