Light and Fruity

• Some red wines are light and fruity. For beginners, these wines are a good way to get acquainted with red wine without overloading on heavy flavors. Red Zinfandel is very fruity and light, and sometimes spicy. It has moderate acidity and a medium-bodied flavor. Beaujolais is a very light-bodied wine full of fruity flavor, especially cherry. It comes from Gamay grapes and is similar to Gamay wine. Some wine connoisseurs do not like this wine, but it is good for introducing new wine drinkers to red varieties. Sangiovese is light-bodied wine which incorporates the flavors of mulberries, cherries and pomegranate.

Spicy and Fruity

• Some red wine varieties are both fruity and spicy. Spicy wines have higher concentrations of spices, such as cinnamon or ginger. Malbec is a fruity-spicy wine with hints of blueberry flavors. Shiraz, the Australian version of Syrah, is a spicy wine with moderate acidity and hints of cherry and raspberry flavors. Also, many Zinfandels can be quite spicy.

Sweet and Fruity

• Red wines can be very sweet and fruity and some come close to tasting like juice. Port is a fruity dessert wine known for being sugary and having a high alcohol content. Dolcetto is an Italian wine with fruit flavors such as strawberries and plums. Its name translates from Italian as "little sweet one." Sangria is popular among a younger crowd, partially because it is so sweet and tastes much like juice with a kick.

Dry and Fruity

• Dry red wines are made from red grapes that have been fermented to dryness, meaning all the sugar is fermented and transformed into alcohol with very little residual sugar left. Many table red wines are dry, including some Zinfandel and Syrah. Merlot has low acidity and a medium-bodied soft taste with cherry, plum and blackberry flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon has a rougher flavor and is more tannic, but has similar flavors to Merlot. It has a full-bodied oak-like taste, and older bottles give hints of bell pepper. Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir has a fresh, earthy delicate taste with soft tannins and flavor. Pinot Noir has fruity hints of strawberry, cherry and plum.