Everyone knows Pinot Noir, but did you know there are at least 13 common light red wine varieties?
Do You Know All 13 Light Red Wine Varieties?
Light red wines are fantastic because they pair well with a wide variety of foods. Plus, they tend to have lower tannin. Light red wines make a great choice for folks just getting into red wine, but read on to find out which wines have the lightest tannin (and one is sweet!).
Lambrusco
The standard winemaking method for Lambrusco makes it the lightest red wine on our list. Of course, Lambrusco is actually a family grapes and the lightest of them all is Lambrusco di Sorbara.
Lambrusco is the name of several wine grapes native to Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy (the same region as –and a great pairing with– Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese!). There are about 15 kinds of Lambrusco grapes, but about six are common. If you’re looking for great quality, start with Lambrusco di Grasparossa (bolder blueberry) and Lambrusco di Sorbara (lighter watermelon and grapefruit).
What does Lambrusco taste like? Typically a little bubbly, Lambrusco ranges from strawberries to blueberries with a pleasant hint of bitterness.
Lambrusco Serving Temperature: 49°F – 54°F Medium chilled, making it a refreshing summer wine.
Poulsard
You won’t find this grape in very many regions other than in the Jura; a small French wine region flanking Burgundy on the eastern side. Poulsard is very delicate, which very light color (almost like an orangy rosé) and its a bit challenging to make into wine. Fortunately, there are several serious producers in Arbois (within the Jura) who champion this wine alongside the area’s natural winemaking traditions.
What does Poulsard taste like? pungent pomegranate or sour cherry with savory blood orange and it’s overall very juicy with little to no tannin.
Poulsard Serving Temperature: 49°F – 54°F Medium chilled.
Brachetto
If you’ve ever tasted tasted the popular wine “Rosa Regale” by Banfi, this is actually 100% Brachetto from the designated Brachetto d’Acqui region in Piedmont, Italy. If you haven’t had this bottle, make note: this is a sweet red wine! Brachetto is one of the few red wines that pairs excellently with milk chocolate and mousse.
This light, often somewhat sparkling sweeter red is amazing served alongside gooey cheeses or succulent desserts.
What does Brachetto taste like? Roses and strawberries with a hint of sweetness and often some bubbles.
Brachetto Serving Temperature: 49°F – 54°F Medium chilled.
Gamay
Gamay (aka Gamay Noir) is better known as Beaujolais, which is the region in France where Gamay originates. Family wineries like Pasquier-Desvignes have been producing Gamay in Beaujolais since the 1400s.
Gamay is a “drink now” wine, meaning it should be consumed within a year or two after being bottled. In fact, Beaujolais Nouveau is designed to be enjoyed as soon as a month or two after its release, between late October and January.
What does Gamay taste like? Gamay can taste quite similar to Pinot Noir, falling more on the earthy side with flavors of cherry, herbs, and sometimes banana. The banana flavor in Gamay is a result of carbonic maceration, a winemaking process.
Gamay Serving Temperature: 54°F – 59°F Slightly chilled.
Frappato
A rare find until recently when Sicily’s wine farmers finally realized what a gem they had on their hands. Frappato bursts with candied strawberry and light tannins. While it’s not a wine for your cellar, you’ll find it’s hard to store because its so crushable.
What does Frappato taste like? Dried Strawberries and red pepper flake with light, easy tannins.
Frappato Serving Temperature: 59°F – 64°F Just cool.
Schiava
Look to Northern Italy in a region called Alto Adige for this aromatic, Pinot-like alternative. Since the locals speak at least two languages, you’ll often see it called “Vernatsch” on labels (its German name). The best examples come from a tiny south-facing hillside slope called Santa Maddalena which has a strikingly sunny and warm climate despite being nested in the Alps.
What does Schiava/Vernatsch taste like? Expect cran-raspberry like aromas with crunchy clean tannins… it’s the epitome of somms favorite saying “crunchy red fruit.”
Schiava Serving Temperature: 55°F – 60°F Slightly chilled.
Zweigelt
Austrian viticulturist Fritz Zweigelt created Zweigelt during the 1900s, an era of viticulture experimentation that also brought us Pinotage and MĂĽller-Thurgau.
Winemakers may use oak or blend Zweigelt with other indigenous varieties, such as St. Laurent, to make the wine less “juicy” and more complex. Because of its lack of tannin and often acidity, you’ll want to drink it young.
What does Zweigelt taste like? With a purple hue, it has fresh berry flavors with crunchy tannins.
Zweigelt Serving Temperature: 54°F – 59°F Slightly chilled.
Counoise
Counoise is one of the sanctioned varieties used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and is a low-yield, high-quality grape. It is often a component in blends, adding complexity, spice, and anise.
What does Counoise taste like? Light plum, strawberry, pepper, and licorice. Counoise has higher acidity with a medium-length finish.
Counoise Serving Temperature: 59°F – 64°F Just cool.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir sets the benchmark for light red wine. It is the most widely grown wine variety, originally cultivated by Cistertian monks in Burgundy, France. The grape’s high acidity and low alcohol make it a great wine for long-term aging.
What does Pinot Noir taste like? Since Pinot Noir is so widely cultivated, each of the major regions has a very different taste profile, ranging from bitter cranberry to black raspberry cola. Pinot Noir is a highly aromatic, lower tannin wine.
Pinot Noir Serving Temperature: 59°F – 64°F Just cool.
St. Laurent
This special Austrian grape is in the same family as Pinot Noir but is typically darker and richer than Pinot Noir. Some might say that St. Laurent may be the most underrated light red wine on this list.
What does St. Laurent taste like? Tasting very similar to Pinot Noir but darker, St. Laurent packs black raspberry flavors with a pleasant earthy note. St. Laurent often ages in oak, making this wine very lush.
St. Laurent Serving Temperature: 59°F – 64°F Just cool.
Cinsault (Cinsaut)
Cinsault is one of the 17 sanctioned varieties used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and grows mainly in the South of France. Cinsault had long been used in low-quality wines because the vine can produce high yields of 6 tons per acre (versus Pinot Noir at three tons per acre). However, reducing the yields produces richer wines that showcase Cinsault’s distinct floral and somewhat savory characteristics.
What does Cinsault taste like? Think pink peppercorn and cherries with soft tannins.
Cinsault Serving Temperature: 63°F – 67°F Cool room temperature.
Grenache
Grenache is a grape variety made popular by producers from the RhĂ´ne in France as well as all over Spain (where it goes by the name Garnacha).
Grenache is the primary blending grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and is also the “G” in GSM blends. In blends, it adds desirable spice and aromatic characteristics to the wine. On its own, Grenache has rich red fruit flavors with a tangy texture.
What does Grenache taste like? Raspberries with hints of citrus. The berry flavors in Grenache are raspberry, raisin, and ripe red currant.
Grenache Serving Temperature: 60°F – 65°F Room temperature.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is one of Italy’s most notable grapes and is famous for its use in Barolo and Barbaresco. It’s a high-tannin, light red wine that will dry out the front and insides of your cheeks. Wine from the Nebbiolo grape smells like roses, clay, and cherries.
What’s amazing though, is if you search outside of the region of Barolo and Barbaresco, such as for Ghemme, Gattinara, or Valtellina (in neighboring Lombardy where Nebbiolo is called “Chiavennasca”) the tannins aren’t quite as bold, making this wine quite light and scrumptuous!
What does Nebbiolo taste like? Bolder tannins, pepper, rose and savory red currant flavors.
Nebbiolo Serving Temperature: 62°F – 65°F Cool room temperature.