Wine Ed 411: Wine Styles - Light- and Medium-Bodied Red Wines

When I hear someone say, "I don't like/drink red wine," I often think that this is because they are only thinking of one of the most common red wine styles available: Cabernet and its blends.  Truthfully, Cabernet, specifically those styles most represented in wine/spirit and grocery stores, dominate one style of red wine making.  But in the world, there exists several red varieties and styles that I think anyone could come to enjoy red wines. 

So begins our epic journey of "Light- and Medium-Bodied Red Wines."  I group these two "classes" together, as I think it is difficult to differentiate "light-bodied" vs. "medium-bodies" especially with reference to red wines.  The term "light" and "medium" again refer to the level of "body" or "mouthfeel" in the wine.  For a quick brush up, return to "Light, Aromatic Whites" and Whites with Body.

November is the perfect month for this style of reds... as Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Thanksgiving meals, although plentiful, are challenging to a wine and food pairing expert as there are so many side dishes with various flavors and textures that it makes truly pairing foods with wines challenging.  (Thus, after I complete the "Wine Styles" series, I'll move onto Wine-Based Thanksgivings...)  The third Thursday of November always releases a light-bodied red known as Beaujolais Nouveau.  This wine is made from the current vintage season and is meant to be drunk within 6 months of bottling. 

Beaujolais and Beajolais Nouveau/Gamay and Grenache
As stated above, Beaujolais Nouveau (pronounce "bow-joe-lay new-voe") is released in the U.S. on the third Thursday of November.  It is made in the Beaujolais region of France from the Gamay grapes that are fermented by a process known as carbonic maceration.  As I will discuss this process later in November, I'll spare the details here.  But basically, the fermentation process of carbonic maceration makes a very delicate, light, floral, pear-drop smelling red wine.  This style was made famous by Georges Duboeuf, a producer in Beaujolais.  These wines are packaged in highly colorful botttles, some are actually screw-capped now, and although they used to be fairly cheap, their price has increased steadily over the past 5 years to about $12 per bottle.  I encourage all to try Beaujolais Nouveau at least once in their lifetime!  As with any wine, the vintage year is always hit or miss.  I have had years where this is a fabulous, light wine enjoyed by many.  And others where I'm quite disappointed in the product.

 
 
Past vintage Beaujolais Nouveau Lables made by George Duboeuf (Pictures found on Google Images)

Unfortunately, the production of Beaujolais Nouveau, and the subsequent marketing of this style in the U.S., has taken away from the real beauty of Beaujolais wine.  Real Beaujolais is made from Gamay grapes as well, however, fermented by traditional fermentation practices.  The Gamay grape is thin skinned and quite low in tannins, which essentially make up the astringency and "body" of wine.  Due to the grapes' light nature, the wines are therefore, also quite light- to medium-bodied.  Unlike its Nouveau counterpart, the wine is quite elegant, with more varietal characters (hints of spice and black cherries) from the fermentation and more "wine-like" (if you will).  Often, consumers are put off from trying a Beaujolais thinking that it will, in turn, be like the Nouveau.  But this is not the case.  The fermentation method alone (traditional vs. carbonic maceration) changes so much of the Gamay grape, that the two wines end up being polar opposites. 

 Rioja/Tempranillo

Rioja is a region in Spain with great French influence.  Although most wines are made in traditional Bordeaux style (meaning with typical French practices), many of the wines had a great oak influence using barriques (or barricas).  Today, the influence of oak is sometimes less aggressive, but the tradition exists.  Rioja is broken into 2 sub-regions: La Rioja Alta, which is the cooler area that producers lighter, more delicate wines, and La Rioja Baja, which is hotter, drier, and specializes in bigger/fuller, more alcoholic wines.  (Think that La Rioja Baja is the California of Spain.) 

The most prevalent variety in Rioja is Tempranillo, followed by Grenache.  The other two varieties that are used minimally are Graciano and Mazuelo.  In today's stores, you may find wines labeled by the varietal name (Tempranillo/Grenache) or by region (Rioja).  Either way, you're getting the same thing!  Traditionally, two styles of Rioja exist: clarete (light bodied, 10 - 12% alcohol) or tinto (dark red in color, fuller-bodied, higher alcohol).  Such words on the label would help give the consumer information about what they are purchasing.  Additionally, oak is usually integrated into the wine, giving a characteristic vanilla flavor that is often noticed in Rioja's.  Oak aging is often implied on the bottle as well:

Sin Crianza (Cosecha) - no oak aging

Crianza - about 1 year in oak

Reserva - at least 1 year in oak, sold after 4 years from vintage

Gran Reserva - at least 2 years in oak, sold after 6 years from vintage

Some thrifty, light- to medium-bodied Rioja's include: Monte Clavijo (<$10, Tempranillo), Castillo Clavijo (<$10, Tempranillo), Marques de Caceres Crianza Rioja ($15, Tempranillo, Grenache, & Graciano), and Dominio de Eguren Protocolo (Tinto) Tempranillo (<$10).  My experience with Rioja's is a noticeable shift to make even light ones with high alcohol.  The actually ruins the wine for me, but others may find it most enjoyable. 

Burgundy/Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the pickiest grapes and wines to grow and produce.  The grape lacks anthocyanins (red color pigments) and tannin levels compared to other red varieties.  The delicacy of this grape makes it perfect for various production methods, and challenges the winemaker in his/her art.  No two regions in the world make the same style of Pinot Noir.  Although it is tried, it is never fully accomplished, as it appears that the grape is greatly influenced by its growing environment and terroir.  Pinot Noir is one of my favorite varieties - it can be made very big and masculine with lots of oak influence, it can be made rather thin, it can be gamey/spicy/dirty, or overly fruity.  A bottle of Pinot is always a surprise.

Burgundy is well recognized as producing some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the world (minus the Beajolais region - a part of Burgundy, but produces Gamay).  The style within Burgundy ranges, but, again, generally speaking, Burgundian Pinots that are "thrifty" are going to be fruit forward, soft-tannins (round body), and red fruit flavors.  Often, these wines will be slightly "dirty" and exemplify flavors of soil.  A higher end Pinot from Burgundy is going to be much more complex and elegant.  

From California, a Pinot is going to vary greatly on the style.  Carneros, Russian River, and Santa Barbara are widely recognized for their Pinots, and again range in style.  Most that I have had from these regions focus on some Burgundian style keeping some sort of gamey-ness and dirtiness to the grape.  The state of Oregon also specializes in producing Pinot Noir, trying to mimic the Burgundian styles.  Other New World producers including Australia and New Zealand produce a highly fruity, light, very clean Pinot.  

A Glass of Pinot Noir

Rhone/Syrah 

I place Syrah here because it is, like Pinot, quite variable in its style.  But it doesn't bring the depth of a full-bodied wine like Cabernet (or so I believe...).  Syrah is another one of my favorite varieties because it is so versatile.  Selling wise, Syrah is not doing as well as it used to.  However, it is a marvelous grape that is often overlooked by consumers.

Syrah from the Rhone in France is often lightly spicy, chocolate-like, plum and black fruit flavors, medium-bodied, and quite smooth.  Traditionally, Viognier, a white wine variety, was blended or fermented with Syrah for extra fruitiness, acidity, and depth in the final wine.  A thrilling success of this varietal marriage can be found in Bridlewood's Arabesque.

Shiraz (which is the Australian word for "Syrah") has been marketed from Australia and appears to slightly dominate the Syrah market.  Australian Shiraz, in general, is slightly less-bodied than Syrah from California or the Rhone region in France.  It's also a bit spicier, yet fruitier, and has a noticeable addition of oak.

Other "Light- to Medium-Bodied Reds"

1) Some Chiantis

2) Some Merlots

3) Mourvedre

4) Sangiovese

5) Grenache

Food Pairings with "Light- to Medium-Bodied Reds":

1) pastas

2) pizza

3) tuna, salmon, trout (for very light-bodied reds)

4) game animals (i.e. quail, venison)

5) veal

6) rabbit

7) pork (with Chianti)

8) lamb (with Pinot Noir)

9) hard cheeses (for all varieties)

10) cheddar (for Syrah, Burgundy Pinots)

11) creamy soft brie (with Burgundy)

12) smoked cheese (with Shiraz)

13) mushroom-based dishes or truffles (with Pinot)

14) barbeque dishes (with Syrah)

15) chicken (with Rioja, Grenache)

16) ham (with Beajolais)

17) turkey (with Beajolais)

Mushroom Soup with Pinot Noir - classic pairing!