Wine lovers from all over the world consider white wines to be among the most classic and versatile wine choices. It is an exceptional wine choice because of its crisp, refreshing, and vibrant flavours; however, if you are an avid fan of white wines and want to broaden your palate by discovering a variety of red wines, beginning with some of the finest red grape varieties can be a delightful and fulfilling experience. Here you'll explore the best red wine grape varieties that are perfect for you to embark on your new adventure of red wines. 

Understanding the Flavour Profiles

The major and primary difference between red and white wines is their colour and flavour profiles. Red wines are distinguished from white and other wine varieties by their rich and bold flavours and dark to light red colour, whilst white wines are usually more fruity and delicate, with colour varying from white to pale yellow colour.

White wine has fresh aromas and a bouquet of primary fruits including green apple, pear, citrus, peach, and apricot, as well as secondary notes of flowery, herbs, and zestiness, as well as oakiness and creaminess. Red wines, on the other hand, have strong, rich aromas and dominant flavours of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, along with spicy and smoky undertones. 

Find the Perfect Red for Your Palate

To start your delicious adventure, let's explore the most suitable red wines. For white wine aficionados, red wines are all about the robust and intense flavours, but here we'll let you identify the light and fruity red wines that offer a wonderful and smooth drinking experience, which makes a great choice for novices to appreciate red wines as much as they enjoy white wines.

Light-bodied red wines

Light red wines are distinguished by their easy-to-drink, water-like texture and consistency that don't feel heavy on the palate. The flavour profile is fresh, clean, and fruity, with a smooth and pleasant finish.

Key Traits of Light-Bodied Red Wines

Flavour:

Light-bodied red wines offer fresh and bright acidity, offering a clean and rounded finish. These red wines are known for their delicate red fruit flavours of cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, often showing similarity to the fruity character of white wines. With undertones of vanilla, herbs and dried fruits balance perfectly with the light texture, offering a flavourful yet gentle mouthfeel without overwhelming the senses.

Aroma:

Light-bodied reds have a blend of fresh fruit, subtle floral notes, and rare traces of mild spice in their aromatic profile. These wines are a desirable option for people who enjoy the citrusy and flowery aromas frequently found in white wines.

Texture and body:

These light and refreshing red wines are renowned for their smooth, delicate mouthfeel. The texture is soft and silky, offering a refined drinking experience that is particularly satisfying for those who admire the lighter character of white wines.

Top Picks for Light-Bodied Red Wines

Grenache

• What You'll Taste: With this light red wine, you can savour the delicious flavours of red berries, strawberries, and raspberries along with slight hints of cinnamon and spices.
• Food Pairing: You can pair it with roasted meats, fish stews, soft cheese, and chocolate desserts too.

Gamay

• What You'll Taste: This red wine showcases vibrant flavours of ripe cherries, strawberries, and cranberries along with floral aromas of violet and rose with subtle earthiness.
• Food Pairing: Enjoy this red with poultry dishes, seafood, and roasted lamb.

Barbera

• What You'll Taste: An Italian wine with high acidity and red fruit flavours, with very soft tannins.
• Food Pairing: Pair this light-bodied red wine with roasted chicken, mushroom tart, and aged cheese.

Fruity Red Wines

Fruity red wines are well-recognised for their vibrant, juicy flavours and approachable taste profile. These wines highlight fresh fruity flavours of cherries, berries, and plums, balancing with a lively acidity. With their smooth texture and finish, these wines are easy to drink and perfect for those who love fruit-forward white wines.

Key Traits of Fruity Red Wines

Flavour:

The rich flavours of cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and plums make fruity red wines shine. The delicious, fruity draw of these juicy tastes makes for a delightful and approachable drinking experience that is comparable to fruity white wines. The fruitiness is further emphasised by the vibrant acidity, which keeps the palate crisp and refreshing.

Aroma:

These wines offer an intense aroma of red fruits, frequently with a hint of spice or floral notes. White wine lovers will enjoy their aroma, which brings the freshness of a fruit orchard and creates an appealing sensation.

Texture and body:

Fruity red wines, which usually range from light to medium-bodied, have a structure that is both adaptable and enjoyable. They escape the strong tannins present in bold red wines because of their accessible structure, which keeps them smooth and delicate. This balance makes them a popular choice for people looking for a light and approachable red wine.

Top Picks for Fruity Red Wines

Pinot Noir:

• What You'll Taste: This most favoured red wine offers rich flavours and aromas of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, with hints of nutmeg, spice, and dried herbs.
• Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with creamy pasta dishes, salmon salad, and roasted turkey and chicken.

Zinfandel:

• What You'll Taste: This fruity red wine is well-known for its dark fruit and juicy flavours of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries, along with hints of clove and cinnamon.
• Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, tomato-based dishes, and cheese.

Merlot:

• What You'll Taste: This delicious and fruity red wine delivers flavours of plums, black cherries, and blackberries, along with oakiness, offering a smooth finish.
• Food Pairing: You can enjoy this red wine with roasted vegetables, spicy meats, roasted beef, and cheesy pasta. 

Tips for Transitioning from White to Red

• Start with Versatile Options: Begin your red wine journey with versatile wine choices such as red blends or rosés. These wines display characteristics that are familiar to white wines, offering a decent way to expand your palate.
• Explore Wine Tasting Events: A great approach to discovering and learning more about red wines is to take part in wine-tasting events. These events allow you to try different styles and get guidance from professionals who can help you select wines that fit your preferences.
• Seek Personalised Suggestions: Seek guidance and recommendations from wine specialists. To provide a seamless transition to red wines, sommeliers or wine stores can offer specific suggestions depending on your preferences.

Transition to Red: Just Wines’ Top Picks for White Wine Lovers

Just Wines offers an outstanding selection of red wines that are ideal for starting your exploration of the diverse world of red wines if you like and appreciate white wines. Here are some suggestions for excellent red wines that are delicious, light-bodied, and are highly recommended. 

 

Whether you favour white or red wines, drinking wine is a pleasurable and joyful experience. With Just Wines, you can take your wine experiences to the next level with our phenomenal selection of premium wines. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Just Wines and Cheers!