Often known as the ‘King of grapes’ Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most-planted red grape variety, full-bodied and worthy of aging. Just like your friends from school, it mellows with age. Powerful, complex, layered and balanced may be the best way to describe a Cabernet but this grape can also produce some cheerful, inexpensive wines.

 

If you like Cabernet, try Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo or Malbec-Cabernet.

‘Temperamental but with a great personality’, may be the best way to define Pinot Noir. Growing Pinot Noir is hard work – it demands a cool climate and great care - but when done well it can produce graceful, elegant wines that offer a sublime drinking experience. No wonder Pinot Noir is used to make some of the world’s greatest and highly priced red wines whose perfumed aromas evolve with age. Overall, it is a perfect wine to pick when everyone in a restaurant orders a variety of dishes.

 

If you like Pinot Noir, try wines made from St. Laurent or Zweigelt grapes.

Tempranillo’s homeland is Spain, where it produces one of the country’s most famous wine – Rioja. It is a diverse red wine grape capable of yielding wines of many styles – from light, fresh, fruity, easy drinking styles to more elegant wines with loads of complexity and aging potential, similar to a Cabernet.

 

One may find Tempranillo’s taste profile similar to Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Born in France but rose to stardom in Argentina. In fact, this red grape is now so popular in Argentina that they have a ‘Malbec World Day’ dedicated to it. Malbec’s expression greatly varies depending on where it is grown although it is always rich and flavorful. Somewhere in between a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot, this is a food friendly wine and definitely a crowd-pleaser.

 

If you like Malbec, chances are you'll also like Shiraz, Merlot or Carménère.

Sangiovese is one of Italy’s most famous and probably most beloved red grape variety, mostly used to form the base of many wines, notably Chianti. It makes wines that vary in quality from ordinary to superb and seems strongly affected by its environment, more than most varieties. In some ways, Sangiovese is to Chianti as Cabernet Sauvignon is to Bordeaux.

 

If you like Sangiovese chances are you'll also like Tempranillo or Zinfandel.

Commonly referred to as ‘zin’ this red grape originated in Croatia but went on to become America’s darling. Its genetic twin Primitivo can be found in Italy. It is a versatile grape, which produces an array of wines ranging from fresh, fruity, easygoing wines, through fuller flavored wines with noticeable spiciness, to powerful, rich wines. Zinfandel is also used to make light-pink rosé wines also known as ‘white zinfandel’. Even if they exhibit different characters be assured that Zinfandel wines will be fulfilling. It is also a perfect cookout wine.

 

If you enjoy 'Zin', try Grenache, Syrah or Sangiovese.

Consider Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon’s gentler, approachable cousin. They share many common flavors but Merlot tends to be softer than Cabernet and is exceptionally easy-to-drink making it a great introduction into the world of red wines. It is used to produce two different styles of wines: can be fruity, easy to drink, and designed to be drunk young, or it can be intense, complex and capable of long aging. Thus, when it comes to Merlot there is certainly something for everyone.

 

If you like Merlot, chances are you'll also like Malbec or Syrah.

A grape that has two names; known as Shiraz in the New World and Syrah in France. No matter by which name you call it, Shiraz/Syrah sounds exotic and regal. And it tastes just the same. This grape variety is capable of making a wide range of wine styles depending on where it is grown - all rich, complex and distinctive. A great wine to bring to a barbeque.

 

If you enjoy Shiraz, chances are you'll also like Malbec, Pinotage, Grenache, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah.