French Bordeaux
French Bordeaux is typically a blend of grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Known for its structured tannins, it often presents flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and earth. French wines are so numerous and diversified that it is impossible to make a choice or even a list. The problem is they are not known as they should be. The French have poor marketing behavior. That's a pity.
In the majority of cases, the wonderful taste of grapes that blend in perfectly with the alcohol is absolutely sublime. French wine, in general, is the best. It's way better than most Italian wine in my opinion.
Certainly, Bordeaux wines are among the best red wines. There are many different kinds of Bordeaux, ranging in price from $4 to thousands of dollars. From Château XYZ to Petrus, there are great wines to be found.
However, some other countries are now also using French grapes and are producing very good red wines as well. These include California, Chile, Australia, South Africa, and of course, Spain.
Spanish Rioja
Spanish Rioja is primarily made from Tempranillo grapes and often features notes of red fruit, leather, and vanilla. It is typically aged in oak barrels, which adds complexity and depth to its flavor profile. Definitively better than the disgusting and acidic Italian wines.
Yes, a very delicious Spanish red wine.
French Beaujolais
French Beaujolais is made primarily from the Gamay grape and is known for its light body and vibrant red fruit flavors. It often has floral and banana notes, especially in the youthful Beaujolais Nouveau style. Beaujolais wines are made using a special process called carbonic maceration. It first results in a fruity wine without much tannin. In the case of Beaujolais Nouveau, this process is completed in as little as four days. Other AOCs are allowed longer fermentation times. As the grapes ferment longer, they develop more tannins and a fuller body.
Beaujolais is far from the best French wine, but because it's from France, it's the origin of any other wine.
Also great with cheddar cheese.
French Bourgogne
French Bourgogne, primarily made from Pinot Noir, is known for its delicate structure and flavors of red berries, earth, and subtle floral notes. It often has bright acidity and a silky, refined finish. French Bourgogne after Chianti? What a shame.
Australian Shiraz
Australian Shiraz is known for its bold, full-bodied style with flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice. It often carries notes of pepper and can exhibit a smoky or chocolatey finish. It has to be Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz for a quality but reasonably priced red. Rawnsley Estate also does a lovely Shiraz for slightly cheaper.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon typically offers rich flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and mint, with a balanced structure. The wine often reflects the influence of the Andes climate, providing fresh acidity and herbal notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, a French-origin grape, is well-handled by Chileans. They know how to work with this famous and globally recognized red wine grape variety.
It should say any Cabernet Sauvignon (I don't drink but I've had "experience" with this wine).
Haut-Médoc
Haut-Médoc, part of the Bordeaux region, typically features blends dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is known for its structured tannins, dark fruit flavors, and notes of cedar and tobacco.
French Cahors
French Cahors is primarily made from Malbec grapes and is known for its deep color and rich flavors of black fruit, spice, and earthy notes. It often has firm tannins and a robust, full-bodied structure.
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion, a Bordeaux appellation, mainly uses Merlot and Cabernet Franc in its blends. The wines are known for their plush texture, dark fruit flavors, and notes of earth and spice. Every year we buy 96 bottles of different French wines, including some Saint-Émilion. We really appreciate it like all French wines, actually.
Pomerol
Pomerol, a Bordeaux region on the Right Bank, is known for wines primarily made from Merlot, often blended with Cabernet Franc. These wines are rich and velvety, featuring flavors of plum, truffle, and dark chocolate.
The Newcomers
? Georgian Kindzmarauli
Kindzmarauli is a semi-sweet red wine from Georgia made from Saperavi grapes, offering flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum. It is known for its balanced sweetness, rich body, and smooth finish.
? Georgian Khvanchkara
Khvanchkara is a semi-sweet red wine from Georgia, made primarily from the Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties. It is known for its rich flavors of ripe berries, cherries, and a smooth, velvety texture.
The Contenders
Petrus
Petrus is a renowned Bordeaux wine from the Pomerol region, made almost exclusively from Merlot grapes. It is known for its luxurious texture, deep plum and black fruit flavors, and exceptional aging potential.
Italian Chianti
Italian Chianti is primarily made from Sangiovese grapes and is known for its bright acidity and flavors of cherry and earthy herbs. It is often aged in oak, contributing to its rustic, savory character. Chianti is the king of reds, and the best red to cook with. It is also the best red for eating with cheese. Whether you get a $10 bottle or a $30+ bottle, I have never had a bad one. I can't say that with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Shiraz.
French Bergerac
French Bergerac wines are often blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. They are known for their dark fruit flavors, balanced tannins, and earthy, spicy notes.
Californian Zinfandel
Californian Zinfandel is known for its bold, jammy flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and spice. It often carries notes of pepper and can have a high alcohol content, giving it a rich, robust character. Nice wine and largely better than an Italian Chianti, for example.
Nice wine and largely better than a Chianti, for example.
Margaux (French)
Margaux, a Bordeaux appellation in the Médoc region, is known for its elegant wines primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon blends. These wines feature aromas of violets, red berries, and subtle oak with a silky texture. The famous Chateau Margaux. So good.
Argentinian Malbec
Argentinian Malbec is characterized by deep, dark fruit flavors like blackberry and plum, often accompanied by notes of cocoa and tobacco. It is typically full-bodied with soft tannins and a smooth finish. The Punta de Flecha 2009 is absolutely nice with a well-rounded taste and finish.
South African Pinotage
South African Pinotage is a unique cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, known for its bold flavors of dark fruit, smoke, and earthy undertones. It often has a rustic character with hints of coffee and chocolate. Simply the best. And only available in South Africa!
German Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)
German Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir, is known for its light to medium body and flavors of red berries, earth, and subtle spice. It often features a bright acidity and a smooth, elegant finish.
Georgian Ojaleshi
Georgian Ojaleshi is an indigenous grape variety primarily found in western Georgia. It typically produces semi-sweet to dry wines with notes of red berries, floral undertones, and light tannins. Ojaleshi is one of the best red semi-sweet wines made from the grape variety of the same name. It is cultivated on the mountain slopes overhanging the banks of the Tsknetis Tskali River, particularly in the Orbeli village and Samegrelo district (Western Georgia). Ojaleshi has a dark ruby color, a gentle bouquet and aroma, and a harmonious, rich taste with a fruity flavor. It contains 10-12% alcohol.
California Merlot
California Merlot is known for its soft tannins and flavors of plum, black cherry, and chocolate. It often has a smooth, velvety texture with hints of vanilla and oak from barrel aging.
Saperavi
Saperavi is a dark-skinned grape from Georgia, producing deeply colored, full-bodied wines with flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant, and earthy undertones. It often features high acidity and robust tannins, making it suitable for aging.
Mukuzani
Mukuzani is a dry red wine from Georgia made from Saperavi grapes, known for its rich flavors of dark berries, oak, and spices. It is typically aged in oak barrels, which enhances its depth and complexity.
Akhasheni
Akhasheni is a semi-sweet Georgian red wine made from Saperavi grapes, offering flavors of ripe berries, plums, and chocolate. It has a smooth texture with a balanced sweetness and mild tannins.
Saint-Estèphe
Saint-Estèphe is a Bordeaux appellation known for producing full-bodied wines primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. These wines often feature flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and earth, with firm tannins and aging potential.
Italian Sangiovese
Italian Sangiovese is a versatile grape that produces wines with bright acidity, medium body, and flavors of cherry, plum, and herbs. It often has earthy undertones and a slightly tannic finish.