A Beginner's Guide to Wine Flavors -- Red Wines

Last time we looked at the common flavors of white wines.

So, now, here are descriptions of what common red wines tend to taste like. These are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you can expect:

Red Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

Bold, full-bodied, and structured. Flavors include blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, and baking spices, often with bold tannins.

Merlot

Softer and smoother than Cabernet Sauvignon. Flavors include plum, cherry, chocolate, and sometimes vanilla from the oak aging.

Pinot Noir

This wine is light-bodied and elegant. It includes notes of cherry, cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, and sometimes subtle earthy notes like mushrooms or forest floor.

Syrah / Shiraz

Rich and spicy. Syrah tends to show blackberry, black pepper, violet, and sometimes smoky notes. Shiraz (Australia) leans riper and jammy.

Tempranillo

Spain’s flagship grape is a mix of cherry, plum, herbs, and sometimes tobacco or leather, especially in aged versions.

Malbec

Juicy and smooth. Typically dark berry flavors, with hints of cocoa, plum, and black cherry.

Sangiovese

This is the grape in used to make Chianti. It’s bright with flavors of red cherry, tomato, herbs, and a lively acidity.

Grenache (Garnacha)

Light, juicy, and fruity. Flavors include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, sometimes with a hint of cinnamon.

Zinfandel (Primitivo)

Bold and spicy. Lots of blackberry, plum, jammy fruit, and signature black pepper notes.

Cabernet Franc

A bit lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, with red fruit, herbs, bell pepper, and soft, gentle tannins.

Behind the Cork™ - Book Review: Stikky Wine

Stikky Wine ($12)

Looking for a good, beginner’s-level, easy to read book to learn about wine? Stikky Wine is a great place to start.

The book does not rely on taking notes or memorization. It clearly states “Read the three sections…stop after each section and practice in the real world…promise yourself that you will try to answer each question in the text. Keep these promises, and what you learn will stick.” Hence the name, Stikky Wine.

The sections are a quick-read with information on how wine is made, grape types, easily identifiable aromas and flavor and common red and white wines. No technical jargon, just simple, easy to understand facts about wines. And, some quick checks along the way to check your understanding.

Stikky Wine is a breeze to read and brings together the essential wine knowledge in straightforward, easy-to-grasp language, all enhanced by beautiful illustrations. It’s a fantastic guide for anyone new to the world of wine. Cheers!

Stikky Wine is available on-line, visit https://stikky.com/collections/books. Provided by Book Publicity Services Inc.

A Beginner's Guide to Wine Flavors -- White Wines

One of the most common questions I get it is “Tell me what some good wines are?” While that’s a simple question, it’s also quite difficult to answer because not only is everyone’s palate different, but your palate for wines will evolve as you explore them.

So, here are descriptions of what common white wines tend to taste like. These are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you may expect as you taste them:

White Wines

Chardonnay

The Chardonnay grape has been described as being a bit “Chameleon-like.” Unoaked Chardonnay tastes like apple, pear, citrus while oaked styles have vanilla, butter, toast, and a richer, smoother mouth-feel.

Sauvignon Blanc

These wines are typically crisp, zesty, and refreshing due to their higher acidity. Flavors include lime, green apple, passionfruit, and often herbaceous or grassy notes.

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris (Same grape; different names)

These wines are light and clean with flavors of pear, apple, lemon, and a refreshing, straightforward finish.

Riesling

Riesling wines are very aromatic and expressive. Flavors include peach, apricot, lime, and sometimes floral or mineral notes. Riesling can be dry (no residual sugar) or sweet.

Moscato / Muscat (Same grape; different names)

These wines tend to be sweet, aromatic, and low in alcohol. Flavors include peach, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a grapey-flavor that’s hard to miss.

Chenin Blanc

This wine can taste like apple, pear, quince, or honey and apricot in sweeter styles. It’s usually bright and lively due to its higher acidity.

Gewürztraminer (Guh-VERTS-tra-mee-ner)

This wine is highly aromatic. Think lychee, rose petal, ginger, along with a touch of sweetness. Very floral and exotic.

So, there’s a quick look at white wines. Remember, these are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you are likely to find. But, as you continue through your wine journey, you’ll also be able to pick out many more.

Next time we’ll take a look at red wines. Until then, cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - 2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec by Domaine Bousquet

2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec ($85)

Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit. The Ameri label of wines is named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s co-owner.

Ameri wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

This “Wild Roots” Malbec is a limited, single-block wine from Eva Estate’s Block 3, of stony calcareous soils and deep-rooted vines.

The Malbec grapes used to produce Ameri were harvested by hand, with careful selection of clusters and berries. Fermented occurred with native yeasts in 400-liter oak barrels, followed by a total maceration of 30 days. The wine the aged 12 months in French oak and refined for one additional year in the bottle.

Ameri ‘Wild Roots” Malbec is deep purple in color with dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied Malbec has deep, rich dark fruit flavors and soft tannins. It’s well balanced, complex and finishes smooth and soft. (ABV: 14.5)

Domaine Bousquet’s Ameri Wild Roots Block 03 Malbec is an outstanding wine! A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Wine Words: What is Complexity?

I was recently enjoying a good glass of red wine and commented that it had good complexity. I was then asked “What is complexity in a wine?

While there is no standard definition and it can be subjective, here’s a brief description and some key characteristics of a “complex” wine:

Complex wines typically have multiple layers of flavors, aromas, and textures that evolve as you taste it. They aren’t just one-dimensional or simple. They may start with rich fruity notes, but as you sip, a complex wine can also show earthy, spicy, or floral notes. A complex wine can continue changing and offering new things, often making it more interesting the longer you sip it.

Key Characteristics of a “Complex” wine:

  • Big or full flavors, aromas and mouth-feel textures

  • Various flavors and sensations; multi-layered

  • Combinations of flavors including fruit, spices, flower notes, earthiness or herbs

  • Rich flavors

  • Good balance of alcohol, acidity, tannin and residual sugar - nothing sticks out

  • A long finish of flavor

  • Often exhibit the quality and craftsmanship of the winemaker’s ability to ferment and age a wine

  • The grapes are from specific well-regarded wine regions (e.g., Bordeaux, Napa)

So to sum it up, “complexity” can mean different things to different people, but complex wines typically exhibit multiple flavors as well as flavor diversity. Cheers!