Dry Red Wine Types: A Guide to the Best Varietals
When it comes to red wine, dry reds stand out as the perfect choice for those who appreciate bold flavors and complex aromas. With a lower residual sugar content and higher tannins, these wines offer a drying sensation on the palate, making them an excellent choice for wine tasting, food pairings, or simply enjoying on their own. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a new wine drinker, understanding different types of dry wines can enhance your experience in the wine world.
This post is all about dry red wine types.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Red Wine Dry?
The dryness of a red wine is determined by its sugar content. During the fermentation process, natural sugars from grape juice are converted into alcohol, leaving behind little to no grams of sugar. “No laws in the United States dictate how much sugar a dry red wine may have, however, in the EU, a dry wine may have up to nine grams of sugar per liter,” (Wine.com). They’re the complete opposite of sweet wines. Unlike sweet wines or dessert wines, dry red wines have minimal noticeable sweetness and often feature higher tannins, high acidity, and a full body. Factors such as grape varieties, climate, and winemaking techniques play a significant role in the final product’s taste and texture.
As a general rule of thumb, almost all red wines are dry.
Classic Dry Red Wine Types
There are over 50 different types of red wine that are available and sold all over the world, but we’re only going to look at the 13 most popular out there. After we look at the most popular wines, then we’ll head into how to pair them. As someone who isn’t well versed in wines, I’ve always been so curious about how to pair them really well. This would be especially good to know if you’re into hosting.
Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the most popular and best dry red wine options is Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a natural blend of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, giving us its infamous name. This wine is a full-bodied red known for its bold flavors, firm tannins, and notes of black cherry, black pepper, and dark fruits. It’s often aged in oak barrels, enhancing its complexity with earthy undertones and hints of vanilla. Originating in Bordeaux, it spread throughout the word in the 20th century and now thrives in warm climate wine regions like Napa Valley, South Australia, and South Africa. It pairs well with red meats, aged cheeses, and hearty dishes. It should be served between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This is something else to remember about red wine – they usually aren’t served chilled like white wines are.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir originated in Burgundy, France and name after the grape it’s made from. They’re wines that are lighter in body compared to other dry reds but still offer an excellent choice for those who enjoy silky texture and fruit flavors. It has bright acidity (meaning it tastes fresh, crisp, and zesty) and has notes of red berries. Pinot Noir grapes flourish in cooler climates like Burgundy, Oregon, California (more specifically in Sonoma County) and New Zealand. This wine is a great choice for pairing with savory dishes. Try it with charcuterie, meats like duck, roasted chicken, and beef bourguignon, and mushroom risotto.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a classic dry red wine with higher acidity and medium tannin levels and name after the grape variety it’s derived from. This type of wine also originated from France. “The grape is one of five major grapes from the Bordeaux region – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot,” (Freedman, 2022). It features fruity notes of raspberry, black currant, and sometimes green bell pepper. Often used in Bordeaux blends, this varietal wine stands well on its own and pairs wonderfully with grilled vegetables, poultry, and aged cheeses.
Merlot
Its name means “little blackbird” in French, and is named after the grape it’s made from. Merlot is a smooth and approachable red blend with moderate tannin levels and a medium to full body. This grape variety is known for its fruit-forward profile, featuring flavors of plum, black cherry, and chocolate. Fruit-forward means that the fruit flavors of the wine are very prominent and obvious. As the Wine Enthusiast explains, “[m]erlot is known as a chameleon because it adapts to many climates, taking on the character of both its location and winemaking techniques,” (2024). Often grown in both warmer climates and cooler climates, Merlot is a good choice for pairing with a variety of bottle types, from casual pizza nights to formal steak dinners.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is yet another type of red wine from France – more specifically from the Rhône Valley. It’s now prominent in warmer climates like Australia. This type of wine is a bold and spicy red wine with notes of black pepper, dark fruits, and a hint of smokiness. With a higher alcohol content and high tannin content, this wine pairs well with grilled meats and spicy dishes.
Wine Enthusiast explains that although Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, the difference is between where they’re grown.
“Technically, Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. The difference between the two stems from regional expressions and climate-driven styles. Winemakers who work in cooler-climate growing regions, both in the Old World and New World, tend to call their wines Syrah. The most famous examples come from the northern Rhône Valley of France, notably Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie… Shiraz tends to come from warmer growing climates, namely the South Australian regions of Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills.” (Wine Enthusiast, 2019).
Tempranillo
A staple of Spanish wines, Tempranillo is a dry red wine with a full body and earthy undertones. The name is derived from how early the grape ripens in comparison to other grapes in the Rioja region. In Spanish, Tempranillo comes from the word ‘temprano’, which means ‘early’. It often features flavors of dried fig, dark fruits like cherry and plum, leather, tobacco, and spices making it a perfect match for hearty dishes, such as roasted meats and stews, vegetables, and other regional dishes in Spain.
Malbec
This wine is originally from Cahors region in Southwestern France, but is now more associated with Argentina. Argentina produces 75% of the world’s Malbec wines. The export of this wine was primarily due to disease and rot that the vines were experiencing in France. It’s a full-bodied dark wine and typically has notes of plum, blackberry, vanilla, tobacco, and cocoa. Historically, this grape was used as a blending grape for Bordeaux, but Malbec has grown to stand on its own. Pair this wine with savory dishes, steak, lamb, pork, dark chocolate, and certain cheese like cheddar and Asiago.
Nebbiolo
The first Italian wine in this list! Nebbiolo is very much limited geographically to the Piedmont region of Italy where it originated. However, it can be found growing in Baja, California and Arizona. The name of the grape ‘nebbiolo’ comes from the Italian word ‘nebbia’, which means fog. It’s harvest in late October, which has a tendency to have deep, dense fog that hangs over the vineyards. However, an alternative theory to its name is that it comes from a white, powdery bloom that appears on the grapes that resemble fog. This grape produces popular Italian wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. According to the law in Italy, these wines must be entirely made from the nebbiolo grape. Pair this wine with fatty meats like duck, hard cheeses, and dishes with strong flavors like mushrooms or truffles.
Gamay
Gamay, or its full name Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, is an old cultivar that’s said to date back to the 15th century and comes from the Burgundy region of France. However, there are many excellent wines now produced in the United States in California and Oregon, as well as in Australia. This type of wine is known for its fresh taste, low tannins, can be enjoyed slightly chilled, and is light-bodied. It has fruit flavors like berries and cherries with hints of flowers. Gamay wines are an excellent choice for Thanksgiving dinner because of the turkey and cranberry sauce, roasted chicken and even grilled fish.
Barbera
This is a red grape variety that originated in the Piedmont region of Italy. It’s medium-bodied, has a high acidity content, and has notes of red and black fruit. The Barbera grape is used to make the famous wines Barolo and Barberesco. Because of it’s delicious flavor, it can be paired with a wide range of foods such as pasta, braised meats, mushrooms, and more!
Food Pairings with Dry Red Wines Types
One of the best wine tips for choosing a dry red is to consider its tannin levels and acidity when pairing it with food. To summarize what was reviewed above as a quick guide, here is a list of which wines are paired well with which types of food:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Red meats, aged cheeses, grilled vegetables, grilled lamb, and hearty dishes.
- Pinot Noir: Tomato sauce-based pasta dishes, earthy mushrooms, charcuterie, meats like duck, roasted chicken, beef bourguignon, and mushroom risotto.
- Cabernet Franc: Grilled vegetables, lean meats, aged cheeses, and herbaceous dishes.
- Merlot: Soft cheeses, roasted duck, steak dinners, pizza nights, and mushroom risotto.
- Syrah/Shiraz: Spicy foods, barbecue, and bold-flavored meats.
- Tempranillo: Spanish tapas, grilled meats, stews, regional Spanish dishes, and hard cheeses.
- Malbec: Savory dishes, steak, lamb, pork, dark chocolate, and certain cheese like cheddar and Asiago.
- Nebbiolo: Fatty meats like duck, hard cheeses, and dishes with strong flavors like mushrooms or truffles.
- Gamay: Turkey and cranberry sauce, roasted chicken and even grilled fish.
- Barbera: Pasta, braised meats, and mushrooms.
Health Benefits of Dry Red Wine
Dry red wine is not only a great wine choice for taste but also offers potential health benefits. With antioxidants like resveratrol and polyphenols, red wine may support heart health, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. However, moderation is key, as excessive alcohol consumption can negate these benefits.
Choosing the Best Dry Red Wine
For those exploring the world of wine, finding the best red wine depends on personal taste buds and preferences. Whether you prefer full-bodied reds aged in oak barrels or lighter varietals with fruity notes, there is a dry red wine for every palate. If you’re a fan of high tannins and bold flavors, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah might be your best option. For a smoother, more versatile option, Merlot or Pinot Noir could be the perfect choice.
Final Thoughts
Dry red wines offer a diverse range of flavors, aromas, and food pairings, making them an essential part of the wine world. From Bordeaux blends to Spanish wines, these wines are crafted using different types of red grapes and winemaking techniques. Whether you’re looking for a good dry red wine for dinner or a high-acidity varietal to enjoy at room temperature, the right choice is out there waiting for you. Cheers to discovering your new favorite dry red wine!
This post was all about dry red wine types.
Resources
Everything You Need to Know About Merlot. (n.d.) Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/everything-you-need-to-know-about-merlot/?srsltid=AfmBOortZW-4C9rn6tw4zg4dn5oKl9XLpzZmGRas_1hy4GEOT8UTjEhE
Freedman, B. (2022, July 5). Cabernet Franc – A Guide to the Basics. Food & Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/cabernet-franc-wine-guide
What is Dry Red Wine? (2024) Wine.com. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.wine.com/content/landing/dry-red-wine#:~:text=Dry%20red%20wine%20is%20red,grams%20of%20sugar%20per%20liter.
