Red Grape Varieties

Where it started

Most classic reds are old European varieties that travelled with emigrants and nurseries. DNA work has untangled their family trees: Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.¹ Zinfandel's identity was settled in 2002, when DNA showed it matches Italy's Primitivo and Croatia's Crljenak Kastelanski.² Pinotage was bred in South Africa in 1925.³

Where and how it's made

• Cabernet Sauvignon — Cabernet Franc × Sauvignon Blanc; Bordeaux's Left Bank and California's most planted red.¹⁴
• Merlot — principal Bordeaux grape, 66 percent of Bordeaux red plantings; softer tannins.⁵⁶
• Cabernet Franc — the Loire's leading red, in Chinon and Saumur-Champigny.⁷
• Pinot Noir — cultivated in Burgundy since at least the 4th century; nearly 100 registered clones at UC Davis.⁸
• Syrah / Shiraz — Dureza × Mondeuse from the Rhône; called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa.⁹
• Grenache (Garnacha) — from Spain, documented in Aragon; body and berry fruit.¹⁰¹¹
• Tempranillo — covers most of Rioja's vineyard.¹²
• Sangiovese — Chianti Classico's 80 percent minimum; called Brunello in Montalcino.¹³¹⁴
• Nebbiolo — 100 percent of Barolo and Barbaresco.¹⁵¹⁶
• Zinfandel — likely Croatian, in California since the Gold Rush.²
• Malbec — Argentina's most planted red.¹⁷
• Carménère — a Bordeaux auxiliary, now a Chilean signature in Cachapoal.⁵¹⁸
• Pinotage — Pinot Noir × Cinsaut, created by Abraham Perold.³
• Touriga Nacional — a leading Douro grape for Port.¹⁹

Grapes also change names at borders. Garnacha in Spain is Grenache in France; Monastrell is Mourvèdre or Mataró.¹¹ Shiraz and Syrah are one grape, while Petite Sirah is another.⁹ In Rioja, Tempranillo is joined by Graciano, valued for aroma, color and acidity, and Mazuelo, for tannin and stable color.¹² In Bordeaux, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère together make up about 2 percent of the red vineyard.⁵ Pinot Noir is prone to genetic variation and has more clones than any other variety.⁸

How to taste it

Syrah shows blackberry, cassis, black pepper and smoke.⁹ Zinfandel gives blackberry, raspberry and black pepper.² Pinot Noir offers raspberry, plum, rose and spice with moderate tannins.⁸ Cabernet brings currant, cassis and bell pepper.¹

Styles and what the label means

• Varietal labels — a U.S. grape name needs 75 percent of that grape.[^cfr4.23]
• Petite Sirah — a different grape from Syrah.⁹
• Zinfandel and Primitivo — identical grapes, labeled separately in the U.S.²
• The wines — how reds are made and served. red-wine →