Petite Sirah, Tempranillo
and Zinfandel

A majority of red wines are made from what is referred to (in the wine industry) as a black grape, because of their very dark-colored skins. The color of red wine comes from the pigment in the skins that is transferred during the Crushing, Fermentation and Pressing processes. It is interesting to note that almost all wine grape varietals have clear juice. Which is why white wine can be made from black grapes. Not only do the skins provide color to the wine, they also contain Tannins. Tannins give wine an astringent quality, meaning a "drying effect" you get in your mouth. High tannin wines will make your tongue feel like it is sticking to the roof of your mouth, or that your lips are sticking to your teeth. You may hear about the backbone or the grippiness of a red wine, this is referring to the Tannins.

It is important to understand not only what Tannins do to the character of the wine, but that they also give the wine structure which is important for aging wines.

When you are ready to venture beyond drinking Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, here are some other reds with their expected base aroma/flavor profiles.

---

Petite Sirah (Puh-teet Sr-aa)

This black grape varietal originated in France, but now almost exclusively a New World Wine with California accounting for the lion's share.

The first thing you will notice about a Petite Sirah is its deep inky purple color. Petite Sirah is a bold wine, full-bodied, high-tannin with rich, intense aromas and flavors. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, black plum, dark chocolate, black pepper, earth and black tea can be expected.


Decanting a young Petite Sirah will help soften the tannins and let the bold flavors come through.

Try this wine you are a Red Blend drinker.

---

Tempranillo (Tem-pruh-nee-yow)

Another black varietal, but this one originating in Spain. Still predominately produced in Spain, but there are high quality Tempranillos coming from places like South America.

Primary aromas and flavors of cherry, fig and plum. Secondary aromas and flavors from the barrel include vanilla, coconut and oak. Aged Tempranillos will also take on flavors and aromas of cedar, tobacco and leather.



Tempranillo has a Medium+ tannin structure, medium acidity and medium body. Tends to be medium garnet in color, but can be medium ruby as well. A red wine from Rioja is most certainly a Tempranillo, even if not labeled as such. There are 4 main classifications of Rioja wine. Joven is the "base model". Crianza must be aged a minimum of 1 year in oak. Riserva must have minimum of 1 year in oak and an additional 2 years aging in bottle. And finally, Gran Riserva must have minimum of 2 years in oak and an additional 3 years aging in bottle.

Try this wine if you are a Pinot Noir drinker.

---

Zinfandel (Zin-fuhn-del)

Black varietal originating in Croatia but primarily grown in the USA with some plantings in Italy, where the wine is called Primativo.

Primary aromas and flavors of blueberry and blackberry, with overt secondary notes of black pepper, licorice and tobacco.


Don't confuse Zinfandel with a White Zinfandel. They are the same grape varietal, but all of the character of this wine comes from the skin. White Zinfandel has minimal skin contact resulting in a flat wine with no character. Lodi California is the prime growing region for Zinfandel in the USA.

Try this wine you are a Cabernet Sauvignon drinker.