Red Wine
Made from red grapes macerated on their skins to extract colour, tannins and aromas. The most diverse style in the world of wine.
Red wine is the result of fermenting the juice of red grapes in contact with their skins. This maceration extracts the colour, tannins and aromatic compounds that define the wine's character. From fruity young reds to great reserve wines that evolve over decades, red wine spans the widest stylistic range in all of winemaking.
Service and sensory profile
Temperature
14–18 °C
Glass
Bordeaux glass (large bowl) for full-bodied reds; Burgundy glass (balloon-shaped) for delicate reds such as Pinot Noir.
Ageing potential
From immediate drinking (young reds) to 30+ years for great reserve wines and premium age-worthy wines.
Body
Full
Sensory profile
Wine-list intelligence
How to use Red Wine on a wine list
Practical reading for buying, service, rotation and pairing.
14-18 °C
Bordeaux / wide universal
Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir
Role on the list
Red Wine builds a premium red zone with structure, brand power and occasion value.
Floor cue
Connect fruit, tannin and prestige to the main dish.
Commercial lever
It lifts spend at meat, celebration and long-menu tables.
Mistake to avoid
Do not recommend without air or food when the wine is young and concentrated.
Useful uses
Winemaking
Red grapes are destemmed, crushed and macerated on their skins for days or weeks. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, concrete vats or oak barrels. Many reds go through malolactic fermentation to soften their acidity. Ageing can take place in oak barrels (French, American or Hungarian), followed by further refinement in bottle.
Suggested pairings
Subtypes and variants
Young Red / Unoaked Red
Young Red / Unoaked Red is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Crianza Red
Crianza Red is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Reserva / Gran Reserva Red
Reserva / Gran Reserva Red is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Light-Bodied Red
Light-Bodied Red is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Full-Bodied Red
Full-Bodied Red is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Carbonic-maceration Red Wine
Carbonic-maceration Red Wine is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Roble Red Wine (Briefly Oaked)
Roble Red Wine (Briefly Oaked) is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
Old Vines Red Wine
Old Vines Red Wine is a subtype within Red Wine. It gives the wine list a more precise service cue around temperature, texture and pairing expectations.
How this style works on a wine list
What it communicates
Red is the style that gives the average diner the most confidence. Presenting it well on the wine list, separating young reds from Crianzas, encourages guests to trade up.
Who orders it
Every profile. Red is the most universal style, although light reds and carbonic-maceration reds attract a younger, more adventurous crowd.
How to sell it better
Sell by region or appellation when the area is well known (Rioja, Bordeaux), and by grape variety when the guest is after something specific (Malbec, Pinot Noir).
When it is a safe option
Always. A Crianza red from a well-known appellation is the safest choice on any wine list.
When it differentiates
Light reds, carbonic maceration or lesser-known grapes (Mencía, Gamay, Nerello Mascalese).
When it works as premium
Gran Reservas, single-vineyard wines, exceptional vintages.
Competes with
Best for these concepts
Related styles
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Connected library
Explore related library entries
Connect this page with related grapes, regions, styles and pairings.
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