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Types of red wine grapes

Zinfandel
(Zin-fan-del) Perhaps the world's most versatile wine grape, making everything from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy reds.
Food-wine pairing: very much depends on the freshness/heaviness of the wine; tomato-sauce pastas, pizza, and grilled and barbecued meats.
Districts: only found in California.
Typical taste in varietal wine: often a zesty flavour with berry and pepper.

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Syrah
(Sah-ra or Shi-raz) Shiraz or syrah are two names for the same variety. Europe vine growers and winemakers only use the name syrah.
Food-wine pairing: meat (steak, beef, wild game, stews, etc.)
Districts: syrah excels in France's Rhône Valley, California and Australia.
Typical taste in varietal wine: aromas and flavours of wild black-fruit (such as blackcurrant), with overtones of black pepper spice and roasting meat. The abundance of fruit sensations is often complemented by warm alcohol and gripping tannins.
Toffee notes if present come not from the fruit but from the wine having rested in oak barrels.
The Shiraz variety gives hearty, spicy reds. While Shiraz is used to produce many average wines it can produce some of the world's finest, deepest, and darkest reds with intense flavours and excellent longevity. You'll discover Syrah of value and elegance by reading my reviews of French wines.

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Merlot

(Mer-lo) Easy to drink. Its softness has made it an "introducing" wine for new red-wine drinkers.
Food-wine pairing: any will do.
Districts: a key player in the Bordeaux blend, merlot is now also grown on the US West Coast, Australia, and other countries.
Typical taste in varietal wine: tannic (rough) but less so than Cabernet Sauvignon. A middle palate gap is common. Black-cherry and herbal flavours are typical.

Cabernet sauvignon

(Ka-ber-nay So-vee-nyon) Widely accepted as one of the world's best varieties. Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with cabernet franc and merlot. It usually undergoes oak treatment.
Food-wine pairing: best with simply prepared red meat.
Districts: cabernet sauvignon is planted wherever red wine grapes grow except in the Northern fringes such as Germany. It is part of the great red Médoc wines of France, and among the finest reds in Australia, California and Chile.
Typical taste in varietal wine: full-bodied, but firm and gripping when young. With age, rich currant qualities change to that of pencil box. Bell pepper notes remain.
Vanilla notes if present come not from the fruit but from the oak treatment. They increase review ratings but may overwhelm the varietal taste.

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Pinot noir

(Pee-no Nwar) One of the noblest red wine grapes -- difficult to grow, rarely blended, with no roughness.
Food-wine pairing: excellent with grilled salmon, chicken, and lamb.
Districts: makes the great reds of Burgundy in France, and good wines from Austria, California, Oregon, and New Zealand.
Typical taste in varietal wine: very unlike Cabernet Sauvignon. The structure is delicate and fresh. The tannins are very soft; this is related to the low level of polyphenols. The aromatics are very fruity (cherry, strawberry, plum), often with notes of tea-leaf, damp earth, or worn leather.

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Sangiovese

(San-gee-o-ve-zee)
Food-wine pairing: a good choice for Italian and other Mediterranean-style cuisines.
Districts: sangiovese produces the Chiantis of Italy's Tuscany district and, of late, good wines from California.
Typical taste in varietal wine: the primary style is medium-bodied with fresh berry and plum flavours.

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Barbera

(Bar-ber-a) Not as well known as Merlot but with similar attributes.
Food-wine pairing: barbera wines are versatile: they match many dishes, including tomato sauces.
Districts: another classic red of Italian origin. Widespread in California.
Typical taste in varietal wine: juicy black cherry and plum fruit, a silky texture and excellent acidity. You may wish to read tasting notes of Barberas at La Spinetta.

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Merlot is the third most planted red wine grape in South Africa. A Merlot grape tends to have higher sugar content and lower malic acid. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints Read More>>