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. This makes this style of wine a great choice for those just getting into red wine.
Here they are, from lightest to richest (keep in mind that every wine is a bit different, so results will vary!).
Lambrusco
The standard winemaking method for Lambrusco makes it the lightest red wine on our list. In fact, if you want to nit-pick, Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest of them all.
Lambrusco is the name of several wine grapes native to Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy (the same region as Parmigiano-Reggiano). 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 and Lambrusco di Sorbara.
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.
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.
Zweigelt
Austrian viticulturist Fritz Zweigelt created Zweigelt during the 1900s, an era of viticulture experimentation that also brought us Pinotage and Müller-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.
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.
Cinsaut (Cinsault)
Cinsault is one of the 17 sanctioned varieties used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and grows mainly in the South of France. Cinsault has 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 savory characteristics.
What does Cinsault taste like? Cinsault has meaty aromas (‘hot dog,’ anyone?) but is mostly savory with hints of pepper and cherry.
Cinsault Serving Temperature: 63°F – 67°F Cool room temperature.
Pinotage
Championed in the early 1900s as South Africa’s grape, Pinotage is actually a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir. Years of use as a value wine tarnished Pinotage’s reputation. Critics described poor examples as smelling like nail polish remover and being hardly drinkable. Since those dark years, higher-quality producers have received much higher acclaim.
What does Pinotage taste like? Brambly, like wild blackberries, with a meaty flavor.
Pinotage Serving Temperature: 64°F – 69°F Cool room temperature.
Primitivo
Southern Italy’s Primitivo is identical to Zinfandel. That said, the Primitivo wines from Puglia can be a bit lighter in style. A fruit-forward wine, most producers age Primitivo wines in American oak to add spice and vanilla.
What does Primitivo taste like? Raspberry jam with earthy hints of clay.
Primitivo Serving Temperature: 63°F – 67°F Cool room temperature.
Grenache
Grenache is a grape variety made popular by producers from the Rhône 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 is lighter bodied with higher acidity.
What does Grenache taste like? Floral with slight hints of citrus. The berry flavors in Grenache are cherry, raisin, and red currant.
Grenache Serving Temperature: 60°F – 65°F Room temperature.
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: 60°F – 65°F Room temperature.
Zinfandel
America’s sweetheart grape, Zinfandel, has intense jammy fruit flavors while still being light-bodied. Read why your next bottle will be a Zinfandel.
What does Zinfandel taste like? Ranging from black raspberry and mocha to spicy strawberry jam. Zinfandel is typically a higher alcohol wine.
Zinfandel Serving Temperature: 65°F – 69°F Room temperature.
Blaufränkisch (Lemberger)
A German grape variety with a dark purple hue with higher tannins than you’d expect in a light red wine.
What does Blaufränkisch taste like? American Lemberger producers make wines similar to a very rich Pinot Noir. In Germany, the flavor of Blaufränkisch tastes of blackberries with a green earthy finish.
Blaufränkisch Serving Temperature: 62°F – 65°F Cool 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 does Nebbiolo taste like? Intense tannins, pepper, rose and savory red currant flavors.
Nebbiolo Serving Temperature: 62°F – 65°F Cool room temperature.