Reds
Acidity
L M H
Tannins
L M H
Body
L M F
Flavor/Aroma Food Pairing

Dolcetto

Cherry, blackberry, black pepper, plum, ink, almond, licorice Spaghetti with red tomato sauce, chicken, macaroni and cheese, roasted red peppers, veal, eggplant parmesan

Barbera

Cherry, plum, red currant, blackberries, licorice Roast beef, turkey, veal, meat loaf, smoked salmon

Pinot Noir

Red/black cherries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, leather, barnyard/gamey, cedar, mint, allspice, truffles, black pepper, black olives, black tea, beets, cloves, dried flowers, mushrooms, chocolate Depending on style of Pinot: mushroom-based dishes and sauces, salmon, tuna, duck, chicken, turkey, veal, venison, pork, pasta with tomato sauce, Japanese, mozzarella, brie, cured meat, soft cheeses (Brie & Camembert)

Sangiovese

Strawberry, black cherry, blueberry, plum tobacco, truffles, dried herbs, cinnamon, clove Tomato-based dishes and sauces, pasta, sausage, pork, steak, pizza, salmon, lamb, chicken, barbecue sauces, blue cheeses

Cabernet Franc

Sweet herb, mushroom, bell pepper, earth, cedar, tobacco, tea, strawberry, black cherry, cranberry Salmon, pork, turkey

Tempranillo

Strawberry, cherry, green herbs, black currant, leather, tea, plums, tobacco, cassis Pork, lamb, veal, sausage, pasta with tomato-based sauces, hard cheeses

Grenache

Red currant, strawberry, sour cherry, raspberry, black pepper, ginger, anise, nutmeg, oregano Venison, lamb, boar, beef, chicken, pizza, roasted red peppers

Merlot

Black cherries, blackberry, black currant, chocolate, plum, allspice, anise, basil, clove, leather, cedar, cigar box, black pepper Red meats, veal, venison, pork, lamb, turkey duck, cheddar cheese

Norton

Plum, cherry, cassis, black pepper Grilled meats, wild game

Zinfandel

Spicy pepper, raspberry, black currant, blackberry, cherry, plum, chocolate, cedar, allspice Steak, turkey, roast beef, lamb chops, venison, sausage, barbecue sauces, blue cheeses

Malbec

Black currants, plum, anise, blackberry, tar, leather, gamey Red meat, poultry, sausage, pizza

Syrah

Blackberry, blueberry, black currant, plum, black cherry, roasted meat, anise, black pepper, licorice, clove, thyme, lavender, sandalwood, cedar, tar, leather Duck, beef, goose, lamb, veal, venison, pork, sausage, hard cheeses, red meats, barbecue sauces, cheddar cheese, blue cheeses

Petite Sirah

Black pepper, blackberry, black cherry, black currants, bacon, brown sugar, anise, cinnamon Pork, beef, lamb, chicken

Mourvedre

Blackberries, spices, pepper, leather, green tea, gamey Venison, lamb, boar

Cabernet Sauvignon

Black currants, blackberry, black cherry, plum, chocolate, mint, violets, cedar, leather, cigar box, anise, bell pepper, black pepper Red meats, lamb, veal, pork, duck

Petit Verdot

Pepper, spices, black currant, blackberry, pencil shavings, tar, leather Generally used as a blending grape, barbecue sauces, lamb chops

Nebbiolo

Tar, cocoa, bitter chocolate, mushrooms, violets, tea leaves, licorice, truffle, earth, blackberry Beef, game dishes, veal, roast beef