Recipes & Cooking Drinks Beer & Wine The Best Types of Red Wine and How to Serve Them Learn the difference between dry and sweet red wines, how to serve them, and the No. 1 secret you need to know for superb red wine food pairings. By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 28, 2024 Reviewed by Food Heaven, Jessica creates engaging food and nutrition content for over 80 global corporations, food companies, and media outlets including American Heart Association, Blue Apron, Adobe, Dove, and KitchenAid. Jessica also co-hosts the top 50 nutrition Food Heaven Podcast, which explores the intersections of nutrition, health, and wellness through a social justice lens. With over 3 million downloads to date, the Food Heaven podcast has been a pillar for accessible and inclusive health and wellness insights since 2015. In addition to being a go-to nutrition expert, writer, and columnist for SELF magazine, Jessica is the co-author of the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot and A Diabetes Guide to Enjoying the Foods of the World." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Jessica Jones, MS, RD Reviewed by Jessica Jones, MS, RD Jessica is a nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Writer, Speaker, and Digital Content Strategist. As the co-founder of the wellness content media company, Food Heaven, Jessica creates engaging food and nutrition content for over 80 global corporations, food companies, and media outlets including American Heart Association, Blue Apron, Adobe, Dove, and KitchenAid. Jessica also co-hosts the top 50 nutrition Food Heaven Podcast, which explores the intersections of nutrition, health, and wellness through a social justice lens. With over 3 million downloads to date, the Food Heaven podcast has been a pillar for accessible and inclusive health and wellness insights since 2015. In addition to being a go-to nutrition expert, writer, and columnist for SELF magazine, Jessica is the co-author of the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot and A Diabetes Guide to Enjoying the Foods of the World. Learn about BHG's Nutrition Review Board Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article How Red Wine is Made Characteristics How to Serve Types Tips Wine Tools Trending Videos Close this video player Whether you fall on Team Sweet Red Wine or Team Dry Red Wine, chances are, you've been disappointed by a glass of red wine that doesn't meet your standards (or the price tag). We promise: You can find a good red wine at a reasonable price—and that will even win over white wine devotees and beer buffs. Since dozens of vino varietals are available, choosing the best red wine for your palate can feel overwhelming. With this in mind, we're summarizing the essentials in this basic red wine guide. Read on to discover what might become your new favorite red wine, optimal serving temperature range, pairing tips, and more. 11 Romantic Food and Wine Dinner Menu Pairings for Date Nights at Home Adobe Stock / Nomad_Soul How Red Wine is Made All red wines share certain qualities since they are made via the same process. To create reds, winemakers grow, harvest, and then ferment the grapes. During fermentation, the yeast eats the sugars in the grape juice and creates alcohol. After a set time of fermentation, some winemakers press the grapes to separate the skin from the juice. (Unpressed wine is called "free-run juice.") Next comes aging, which may take place in oak, concrete, or stainless steel vessels. Before filtering, some wines are treated with a sulfur dioxide preservative or put through the process of malolactic fermentation to smooth out some of the bitter notes. After filtering, red wine is bottled and delivered to wine shops, restaurants, or your doorstep. Red Wine Characteristics Red wine shares a handful of common traits regardless of the type of grape used. These include: Color. Red wines are available on a spectrum from a light ruby hue to a deep, dark purple. Over time, red wines can appear more red-brown. Tannins. Also found in apple cider, apple juice, beer, and grape juice, this is the slightly astringent quality that can make your tongue feel a bit drier after taking a sip. Tannins are polyphenols that naturally come from the skins and seeds of the grapes. (Since these are removed early in white wine-making, you rarely experience tannins in white varietals.) Tannins add structure and texture to the wine, boosting its "ageability." Certain red wine types have more tannins than others, which tend to soften as the wine ages. Acid. In addition to acting as a preservative, acid in red wine imparts freshness, structure, and balance. Red wines higher on the acidity scale taste crisp and tart, while low-acid wines are rounder and smoother. (Low acid is probably better if you prefer sweet red wines.) Flavor notes. Different grape styles yield different flavors. Red wines pack a different punch than whites because of skin contact during fermentation. While white wines may taste like citrus or tropical fruits or have mineral characteristics, red wine flavors generally include some fruits (from sweet-tart cranberries to underripe strawberries to jammy cherries), flowers, herbs, spices, and earthy qualities. All of these flavors are natural, not added. 5 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Canned Wine (Plus 7 Cans to Try) How to Serve Red Wine—Including the Best Red Wine Glasses and Red Wine Serving Temperature You can make any wine taste like an expensive wine (or at least more expensive than its retail price would suggest) by serving it properly. The Best Red Wine Serving Temperature and Storage Temperature Red wines are best stored in a cool, dark environment that's around 55° F. Anything over 75° F can cause the wine to overheat and impact the flavor, while below-freezing temps can spell catastrophe for the bottle—and anything within exploding distance. When it's time to open wine bottles, the best serving temperature is between 60° F to 65° F; too hot and the wine will taste overly boozy, too cold and the juice can err on the overly bitter or too-tannic side. If you don't have a temperature-controlled wine fridge and are storing your bottles in some place like a cool closet or cabinet, pop the wine in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before you plan to drink it, and it should be right on target. Sommeliers Share the Best Wine-and-Candy Pairings for Valentine's Day The Best Red Wine Glasses Oval and egg-shaped glasses with a bowl that narrows slightly at the top are excellent vessels for red wine. Most red wine glasses can hold between 10 and 22 ounces. The average pour is 5 or 6 ounces, so this extra space allows room to swirl and experience the aromas by the nose before sipping. There are two main styles of red wine glasses: Taller, tapered, and more narrow Bordeaux glasses—best for higher alcohol and fuller-bodied winesWider, shorter Burgundy glasses—best for lower-alcohol and lighter-bodied wines No matter what red wine glass you choose, look for stemmed options, then hold the glass at the stem rather than on the bowl. Your body temperature is much higher than your now-chilled wine, and holding the glass next to the wine itself can warm it too quickly. Perhaps you've seen wine decanters and wondered about the dos and don'ts? Using a decanter is not scary—we promise. To decant any wine, open the bottle and pour the wine from there into the decanter. Allow the wine to breathe in the decanter for at least 20 minutes or more to allow the aromas and flavors to loosen up and shine. This is only necessary in three circumstances: If you have a big, bold wine and want to soften the tanninsIf you have an old wine and think there might be some sediment in the bottle (that you'd like to leave in the decanter rather than pour into the glasses)If you have a cheap wine that you're trying to aerate to make it taste like a more expensive wine 7 Wine-Tasting Menu and Party Ideas From the Pros for a Fabulous Event Every Type of Red Wine, from Light- to Full-Bodied Wines are often categorized by body type, or by how heavy the wine feels on your palate when you take a sip. There are more than two dozen red wine types—and that's not counting red blends. So for a basic red wine guide and a beginner's course in wine 101, we're explaining the three main red wine types, plus the varietals that fall under each so you can potentially find a new favorite. Why Natural Wines Are Growing in Popularity—and Where to Get Them Light-Bodied Reds Think of these as the best red wines for newbies or a "gateway" red wine. They're lightweight, refreshing, lower in tannins, and dreamy to drink sans pairing or with mushrooms, seafood dishes, cheese boards, and more. Grapes that are made into lighter-bodied red wines are often grown in cooler climates. SchiavaGamayPinot NoirGrenache/Garnacha Medium-Bodied Reds Just bold enough and not overly heavy, medium-bodied wines are the Levi's of the wine world. They're timeless and crowd-pleasing, and they include flavors and aromas that will be a good "fit" for many different palates and occasions. Try medium-bodied wines with roasts and pastas, for holiday wine pairings, or on any weeknight that could use a little more spirit. ValpolicellaCarmenèreCarignanCabernet FrancMenciaSangiovese/ChiantiRhône blend (often Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre)BarberaMerlotMontepulciano Full-Bodied Reds With a tannic punch and often plenty of alcohol, too, these are the sturdiest, richest, and "coziest" of the bunch. The grapes that produce these red wine types are often grown in warmer climates. Full-bodied reds can stand up to hearty fare like steaks, roast beef, barbecue, and nutty or chocolate desserts. ZinfandelTempranilloNebbioloNero d'AvolaAglianicoMalbecCabernet SauvignonSyrah/ShirazPinotagePetit VerdotMourvèdreTouriga NacionalPetite SirahTannat About Cooking Wine When it comes to the best red wine for cooking, the main concern is the quality. Don't buy a "cooking wine" since those tend to have additives and preservatives. Any wine you enjoy drinking should be delightful to cook with—a $10+ bottle will be perfect. Most ruby-tinged recipes with wine call for "dry red wine." Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sangiovese work wonderfully. Adobe Stock / iana_kolesnikova The No. 1 Tip for Red Wine Food Pairings Rather than trying to memorize the best food pairings for your next dinner party or cheese pairings for your next happy hour, remember that any red wine you enjoy will be savored no matter what you put alongside it. So feel free to forget all the rules and drink what you enjoy with your goulash or Gouda! That said, the best tip for red wine food pairings is "what grows together goes together." So if you're eating Italian cuisine, such as a marinara sauce-topped pasta, try it with a wine grown in that region, like a Sangiovese. For French fare like beef Bourguignon, consider a sturdy French Syrah. To take it a step further, consider the strength of the flavors of your meal or snack. Full-bodied red wine pairings can stand up to heavier, denser dishes, while light-bodied reds play nicely with vegetables, white meat, and even seafood. Your Ultimate Cheese Guide Tools for Maximum Wine Enjoyment These items and implements are helpful to have if you're collecting wine or want to keep your wine fresh for longer. They also make great gifts! The 12 Best Wine Bottle Openers This Wine Preserver Kept My Bottle Tasting (Almost) Like New for a Week The 4 Best Wine Glasses, According to Testing The 8 Best Wine Fridges for Storing All Your Favorite Reds and Whites The 11 Best Electric Wine Bottle Openers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit