Unlike white wines, red wines are made from red grapes whose skins have been left to macerate in contact with the juice during fermentation. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the 5 best red grape varieties, at least the best known and used in France.

Pinot Noir

Burgundy’s flagship grape variety, notably Romanée-Conti, Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that’s quite difficult to grow – it has to suit the climate, the soil, the growing and harvesting methods.

Pinot Noir produces medium-bodied wines, with a deep red color and a seductive bouquet combining aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, rose or violet, as well as truffle. It should generally be drunk young, and is the best red grape to accompany fish. It is found mainly in Burgundy and Champagne, but also in the Loire and Alsace regions.

Merlot

Currently the most widespread grape variety in the Bordeaux region, it owes its reputation to the great Pomerol estates such as Château Petrus. Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, it can be more supple and sensual. It produces deep-colored, round and powerful wines with little tannin. Merlot aromas are mainly red fruit (redcurrant, cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant), but can also include plum, chocolate and violet.

Merlot is also grown in Italy, California and increasingly in Chile. A perfect accompaniment to a charcuterie platter.

Cabernet Franc

Mainly grown in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc can be blended or used as a single variety. They are found in fairly large quantities on the right bank of Bordeaux. Lighter and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, it produces well-balanced wines with soft tannins and controlled acidity. The great red wines of the Loire – Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur-Champigny – owe their aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant, violet and tobacco to it. It can also evolve towards notes of green bell pepper.

It is also grown in Friuli (Italy), Spain and New Zealand. Pair with leg of lamb.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The star of the Médoc and Graves crus classés, Cabernet Sauvignon produces fairly to very full-bodied, tannic red wines with great ageing potential (up to 20 years for the great Bordeaux wines). Being tannic, it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Its main marker is blackcurrant, but its aromas evolve according to the regions where it is grown: clove and licorice in hot regions, green pepper in cooler climates, woody and mineral in Bordeaux, mint and eucalyptus in South Australia.

It is also found in Tuscany, Chile, Argentina and South Africa, and goes well with game.

Syrah

Originally from the Rhône Valley, Syrah is the grape variety of Hermitage, Cornas and Côte-Rôtie. It produces tannic, muscular, dark wines. Full-bodied and spicy, they deliver a bouquet of berries with nuances of aromatic herbs, black pepper and spices.

The most widely planted grape variety in Australia, it is also found in Languedoc, South Africa and Argentina. Enjoy with barbecued prime rib.