The top red wine varietals that you are likely to encounter are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Grenache. Sometimes, you will hear of red wines referred to by their popular regional names.Click to see full answer. Similarly, which red wine is best? #1: Italian Chianti. Italian Chianti is a special red wine brand named after the region of Chianti in Tuscany, Italy. #2: Australian Shiraz. #3: German Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) #4: Californian Zinfandel. #5: French Beaujolais. #6: French Bordeaux. #7: Cabernet Sauvignon. Also, how do you identify red wine? So, to recap: red wine is red because it was fermented with the skins, making it more tannic. White wine has less tannin, and is more acidic. Dessert wines have higher alcohol content and are usually sweeter, and sparkling wine has bubbles. Moreover, which type of red wine is the smoothest? Lighter red varietals like Grenache and Sangiovese make easier to drink reds with less tannin and so more “smooth”. Typical wines include Chianti from Italy and GSM (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre) from Southern France or California. Pinot Noir can also be very smooth, especiWhy is Pinot Noir the healthiest wine?Here’s why pinot noir is the healthiest wine you can drink. The healthfulness of red wine is largely due to its antioxidants. Resveratrol has been linked to lower risks of cancer, stroke, and heart disease, among other benefits.