RED FULL & FIRM blackcurrant truffel tobacco pepper mushrooms leather smoked blackberries earth tea bell pepper clove Do I taste cherries or blackberries; did this wine age on wood? This chapter will teach you more about full and firm red wines. What are the primary grape varieties and how do I recognize them? Full and firm red wines often have in common that they go perfectly with meals. Do I taste cherries or blackberries; did this wine age on wood? This chapter will teach you more about full and firm red wines. What are the primary grape varieties and how do I recognise them? Full and firm red wines often have in common that they go perfectly with meals.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON Cabernet Sauvignon is planted just about everywhere in the world. It is a late-riping grape variety and, therefore, does very well in hotter climates. It is used to make high quality wines in France, California, Australia, South Africa and Chile, but also in Italy and Spain. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most well-known and most planted grape varieties used to make red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted just about everywhere in the world. It is a late-riping grape variety and, therefore, does very well in hotter climates. It is used to make high quality wines in France, California, Australia, South Africa and Chile, but also in Italy and Spain. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most well-known and most planted grape varieties used to make red wine.

BORDEAUX It is the primary grape variety in the Bordeaux region and especially in the Médoc region. In those regions, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is used to make world-renowned red wines. The grape variety is famous for its powerful and deeply coloured wines, rich in tannins. It can age for a long period of time and can obtain great complexity during that time. It is the primary grape variety in the Burgundy region and especially in the Médoc region. In those regions, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is used to make world- renowned red wines. The grape variety is famous for its powerful and deeply coloured wines, rich in tannins. It can age for a long period of time and can obtain great complexity during that time.

MALBEC The Malbec grape variety originates in France and is mainly planted in the southwest of the country. Malbec was named after the Hungarian farmer who introduced the grape in France. In 1868, Frenchman Michel Pouget introduced the grape variety in Argentina. That country has become the grape’s second home. The Malbec grape variety originates in France and is mainly planted in the southwest of the country. Malbec was named after the Hungarian farmer who introduced the grape in France. In 1868, Frenchman Michel Pouget introduced the grape variety in Argentina. That country has become the grape’s second home.

CAHORS AND… It was long known as one of six grape varieties that were allowed in red Bordeaux blend wines. Nowadays, it can often be found in the Cahors region, but also in Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, New York and California. This grape’s flavor is reminiscent of plums, blackberries and cherries. A Malbec wine contains firm tannins, just like all other full and firm red wines. It was long known as one of six grape varieties that were allowed in red Burgundy blend wines. Nowadays, it can often be found in the Cahors region, but also in Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, New York and California. This grape’s flavour is reminiscent of plums, blackberries and cherries. A Malbec wine contains firm tannins, just like all other full and firm red wines.

NEBBIOLO The Nebbiolo grape variety is mostly planted in the north of Italy. It does not have a high yield. Nebbiolo wines have an intense flavor and an earthy aroma that reminds of truffle. Because of its high level of acidity and tannins, the younger wines are usually a bit astringent. The Nebbiolo grape variety is mostly planted in the north of Italy. It does not have a high yield. Nebbiolo wines have an intense flavour and an earthy aroma that reminds of truffle. Because of its high level of acidity and tannins, the younger wines are usually a bit astringent.

TIME When Nebbiolo wines are allowed to mature, they become less harsh and a lot more aromatic. Examples of wines made from Nebbiolo grapes are the famous Barolo and Barbaresco from Piedmont. When Nebbiolo wines are allowed to mature, they become less harsh and a lot more aromatic. Examples of wines made from Nebbiolo grapes are the famous Barolo and Barbaresco from Piedmont.

SYRAH (SHIRAZ) Shiraz grapes often produce elegant and vivid wines with a typical smoked herby aroma, with tones of black pepper, menthol, cinnamon, blackcurrant, cherries, dark chocolate, coffee, raisins and vanilla. Shiraz grapes often produce elegant and vivid wines with a typical smoked herby aroma, with tones of black pepper, menthol, cinnamon, blackcurrant, cherries, dark chocolate, coffee, raisins and vanilla.

HISTORY Historians claim that the Syrah grape originates in the city of Shiraz in Iran. Ancient Greek sailors brought grapevines to the West; the Syrah grape grew in the south of France, before the Romans arrived. Besides France, this grape variety is also successfully planted in Australia, California and South Africa, where it is called Shiraz. Historians claim that the Syrah grape originates in the city of Shiraz in Iran. Ancient Greek sailors brought grapevines to the West; the Syrah grape grew in the south of France, before the Romans arrived. Besides France, this grape variety is also successfully planted in Australia, California and South Africa, where it is called Shiraz.

THE END In this chapter, I have given you an overview of the primary grape varieties used to make full and firm red wines. Obviously, there are many other grape varieties that fit this profile. So keep looking for your own style and experience your own taste; you will discover more exclusive varieties as you go! In this chapter, I have given you an overview of the primary grape varieties used to make full and firm red wines. Obviously, there are many other grape varieties that fit this profile. So keep looking for your own style and experience your own taste; you will discover more exclusive varieties as you go!