The 4 Most Popular Types of Red Wines in America

Have you been drinking one type of red wine for years and decided you want to branch out a bit? While there are numerous options out there, some of the most popular styles available include:

• Pinot Noir
• Syrah
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Zinfandel

Here, a look at each of these varietals, along with some ONEHOPE Wine selections to try out as well!

Pinot Noir

This vintage has a cult following among wine enthusiasts due to is surprising flavors and aromas, all of which work together just right. The wine has a light red color in the glass and a light body. When you smell pinot, you’ll often get aromas of cherries, raspberries and cranberries. Pinot has very low tannins, so the acidity will really shine through. Wines with similar flavor profiles include Gamay, Grenache/Grenache/Garnacha, Nebbiolo, and Etna Roso.

ONEHOPE Picks for Pinot Noir:

California Pinot Noir — bright cherries and strawberries with hints of violet pastille and cola

2011 Napa Valley Reserve Pinot Noir — barrel aged for nine months in 40 percent new French oak, with raspberry, cherry, and toasted vanilla, allspice, and eucalyptus flavors

2014 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir — crisp tropical fruit, apple, and pear flavors, with light floral elements

Syrah/Shiraz

This big, inky red wine boasts flavors of dark fruit, such as plums and blueberries, with a little chocolate and tobacco as well. Looking for a velvety, smooth wine? This one’s for you. It’s the perfect wine with everything from a cheese platter to lamb. If you like Syrah, other go-to wines include Rhone blends from France and Malbec.

ONEHOPE Pick for Syrah:

2008 Sonoma Coast Reserve Syrah — delicate hints of white pepper and violet, paired with fresh blueberry, dark cherry, and vanilla flavors followed by seamless silky tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is great for experiencing tannins, which make your mouth feel a bit dry as you swallow and serve as terrific antioxidants. The most popular red wine in the world, it’s full-bodied with aromas of dark cherries, spice, and hints of vanilla and green pepper, which makes it the ideal steak wine. If you enjoy Cabernet, other wines to try include Merlot, Sangiovese (Chianti), Tempranillo (Rioja), and the classic Bordeaux blend.

ONEHOPE Picks for Cabernet Sauvignon:

California Cabernet Sauvignon — a broody blend laden with aromas of baked blackberry and deep cassis and notes of roasted coffee, cocoa, sage leaves, and paprika.

ONEHOPE also has partnered with Trefethen Family Vineyards to produce the ONEHOPE X Trefethen Family Cabernet Sauvignon — a truly exquisite Cab boasting enticing aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and currants, and notes of oak, clove, cedar, and toffee.

You also might want to try ONEHOPE’s California Merlot — huckleberry and loganberry flavors paired with notes of peat, dried fig, and Assam tea leaves and a vanilla spice finish.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel offers an overwhelming flavor and aroma of jam because the fruit often is very ripe when it’s picked. This ripeness results in a high alcohol content, which causes a wine to taste big and bold. If you like Zinfandel, you’ll also like rich, New World wines from hot climates.

ONEHOPE Pick for Zinfandel:

California Zinfandel — stuffed with juicy vine-ripened berries and boasting an aroma filled with hints of pepper, cedar spice, vanilla, dried herbs, and cocoa powder.