Guide to fruity red wines

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Guide to fruity red wines

What is fruity red wine?

A ‘fruity’ wine refers to a wine that prominently features flavours and aromas of fresh fruit. This doesn’t mean the wine is sweet; even dry wines can be fruity – and whites and reds can also be deemed fruity, too. Red wines often have notes of berries, cherries, plums or other dark fruits. White wines can have fruity notes such as apple, pear, peach or citrus fruits.

Despite their fruitiness, these wines can be dry, meaning they contain little to no residual sugar. The fruitiness is more about the taste and aroma than the level of sweetness.

Fruity red wines are typically vibrant, juicy and easy to drink. They can range from lighter-bodied options such as Pinot Noir, featuring red fruit flavours, to full-bodied wines such as Zinfandel, showcasing darker fruit notes.

The fruitiness of a wine depends on the grape variety and the climate where it was grown – with winemakers in warmer climates often producing more fruit-forward wines. Common fruity red wines include Pinot Noir, Merlot and Zinfandel. This style of red pairs well with a variety of foods or is delicious simply enjoyed on its own.

What makes a red wine fruity?

While all red wines have some degree of fruit character, not all red wines are considered ‘fruity’.

Fruity red wines often present clear, straightforward notes of fresh fruits like cherries, berries or plums, and they may have less noticeable influences from secondary characteristics such as oak, spice or earthy notes. For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon has dark fruit flavours, but these may be layered with notes of spice, oak, leather or tobacco (if it has been oak-aged) – so it may not be described as primarily fruity when tasted.

In addition, describing a red wine as fruity doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in for a noticeably sweet sip. Red wines can be fruity and dry, and fruity and sweet.

Several factors can influence the fruitiness of a red wine:

Grape variety: Different grape varieties naturally have different fruit flavours. For example, wines made from Pinot Noir grapes often have red fruit flavours such as strawberries and cherries, while Merlot wines might exhibit darker fruits such as blackberries.
Climate: The climate where the grapes are grown also plays a role. Generally, grapes grown in warmer climates will produce wines with riper, bolder fruit flavours compared to grapes grown in cooler climates, which may have more subtle, tart fruit characteristics.
Ripeness at harvest: Grapes that are harvested when they are very ripe will have more pronounced fruity flavours compared to grapes harvested earlier.
Winemaking techniques: How the wines are fermented and aged can also bring out or suppress the fruit flavours. For instance, fermenting or ageing wine in new oak barrels can impart additional flavours that either complement or mask the wine’s natural fruitiness.

It’s the combination of these factors that leads to the vast range of fruitiness you can taste in different red wines.

Types of fruity red wines

Fruity red wines can be found across the globe in most wine-making countries. Some of the most popular fruity red wines include:

Beaujolais – Made from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais wines are light-bodied and known for their vibrant red fruit flavours, often showcasing ripe berry and cherry notes.
Merlot – This medium to full-bodied wine features flavours of plums, black cherries and berries. It’s known for its soft tannins and is often considered smooth and very drinkable.
Pinot Noir – Known for its light to medium body, Pinot Noir often presents flavours of red fruits such as strawberries, cherries and raspberries.
Grenache/Garnacha – Known for its strawberry and black cherry flavours, Grenache is a medium to full-bodied red wine that’s often part of blends but also shines on its own.
Zinfandel – A full-bodied red wine that is known for its jammy, fruit-forward profile. It often showcases flavours of blackberry, plum and cherry.

If you’re taking your first steps into the world of fruity red wines, we’d suggest starting with Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. These wines are light-bodied and easy-drinking.

There are also fruity sparkling red wines out there to enjoy. Lambrusco is a red sparkling wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna wine region. Light and refreshing, you can expect bright red berry and stone fruit flavours, including wild strawberry, ripe cherry and raspberry.

Food to serve with fruity red wine

Because of their softer, lighter character and moderate tannins, fruity red wines are best paired with lighter dishes with more delicate flavours to avoid one overpowering the other. Here are some of our favourite pairings:

Beaujolais – grilled chicken, poached salmon, creamy pasta dishes, roast turkey and green salads.
Merlot – vegetable stir-fry, charcuterie boards, black olives, ratatouille and chocolate mousse.
Pinot Noir – grilled chicken, chocolate-covered strawberries, baked brie with rosemary, grilled salmon and roast pork.
Zinfandel – lamb meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, smoked cheeses, tomato-based pasta dishes and roasted aubergine.

How to choose the best fruity red wine

Choosing the best fruity red wine depends on your personal taste, but consider the following tips:

Identify your preferred flavours: Different grape varietals have different primary fruit flavours. For red berry flavours, consider Pinot Noir or Grenache. For darker fruits such as blackberry or plum, look to Merlot or Zinfandel.
Consider the body: Fruity wines can be light, medium or full-bodied. A Gamay or Pinot Noir might be a good choice if you want something lighter and easy-drinking. If you prefer a heftier wine, a Zinfandel or even a Shiraz might be more to your liking.
Think about sweetness: Remember that ‘fruity’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘sweet’. Many fruity reds are dry. If you prefer a bit of sweetness, look for wines labelled ‘off-dry’.
Ask for recommendations: Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when choosing a wine. Our Wine Advisors can usually point you in the direction of a wine you’ll enjoy.
Experiment: The best way to find your preferred fruity red wine is to try a variety. This will give you a better understanding of the flavours and styles you enjoy most.

Remember, the ‘best’ fruity red wine is ultimately the one you enjoy drinking the most.