BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Wine Reds that aren't too tannic?

Are there any red wines out there that aren't strongly tannic?

Hi Nancy,

Yes, there are some red wines that aren't strongly tannic. Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir are the lower tannin red wines. And, as a rule, the tannin will have mellowed in older red wines.

Enjoy!

Excellent -- thank you!

I'm trying to develop an appreciation for reds, but most of the ones I'm trying are pretty strongly tannic, and that just isn't doing it for me. So I thought I'd specifically seek out low-tannin reds and see how I like those.

Red Zinfandels are more along the fruity side and are delicious. And no, I'm not talking about the pink stuff!

Look for something less dry and more fruity and you'll quicky warm up to reds.

Evanne

J.Lohr has some really good red wines that are very palatable and go well with most foods.

I've always found Pinot Noir to be a good, low tannin varietal. Of course that will change from brand to brand, but it's a good place to start.

Pinot Noir is a lighter red, but the problem with this grape is that in less expensive versions it is often poorly made.

I think one is as liable to find a fruity CalCab that is low tannin as a Zinfandel. I drink a lot of Rioja and don't think of Tempranillo as a low tannin wine.

You want to look to Italy for an assortment of very light reds such as Bardolino, Dolcetta, Montepulciano and Valpolicella. Leave us not forget Lambrusca either. Grenache/Cinsault based wines from the Rhone in France; Cinsault/Pinot blend from S. Africa (Pinotage).

Most Portuguese table reds are knock your socks off tannic, but you can get some lighter wines positioned as quaffers - look at the color and price.