Our fruity red wines

What is a fruity red wine?

The aromas and flavors of a fruity red wine are dominated by notes of fresh, ripe fruit. It is light on the palate. Fruity red wines are associated with grapes, and include strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries, etc. Fruity wines are appreciated for their versatility. 

These fruity aromas come from the wine's primary aromas. Primary aromas come from the grape varieties from which the wine is made. There are also secondary aromas: from fermentation and tertiary aromas from the winemaking technique. 

There are two different types of aroma in fruity red wines.

Les Fruits Rouges

First of all, the red fruits found in fruity wines include aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, red cherry; these wines are light on the palate.

Black Fruits

Then there are the black fruits found in fruity wines, including black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry and plum; these wines are more powerful and full-bodied on the palate.

Which red wines are fruity?

Among the grape varieties used for fruity wines, we find the essential Gamay in Beaujolais. Alongside it, in Languedoc, we find Merlot, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. A little higher up, in Alsace and Burgundy, the well-known Pinot Noir is renowned for its fruity red wines. In the Loire region, it's Cabernet Franc, and further south, in Corsica, we find Sciaccarellu.

Light, fruity red wines

Fruity red wines often tend to be light, but not all light red wines are necessarily fruity. A light red wine emphasizes different characteristics of the wine, such as its body or alcohol level. It may be fruity but have other attributes such as soft tannin or high acidity. In terms of flavor profile, light wines can be herbaceous, floral or earthy. 

We could then say that fruity red wines are light overall, but be careful not to confuse the two: a fruity wine could be a sub-category of light wines. 

What to serve with a fruity red wine?

Here's a list of dishes your fruity red wine will pair perfectly with throughout the meal. 

Meat: Choose white meat such as poultry. 

Fish: Oily fish such as salmon or tuna. 

Vegan dish: A delicious ratatouille maison. 

Cheese: Soft cheeses with a bloomy rind, such as Brie or Camembert. 

Dessert: Fruit-based desserts such as strawberry or raspberry tarts.