Table Wine - Red Varietals

Red varietal wines have lovely deep color that ranges from rich garnet to shades of purple.  They’re usually dry, with intense fruit character balanced by tannic astringency (a rough, puckery sensation in the mouth).  They may be aged in wood for depth and complexity, or produced in light, fruity styles.  The red color comes from the extraction of pigments in the grape skins during the winemaking process.  The actual juice of the grapes—in both red and white wines—is clear.

Red wine varietals that thrive in California include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel.