If you are looking for red wines that are not astringent and harsh, check out our updated list of low tannins red wines.
Best Low Tannins Red Wines
Here are our top picks for low tannins red wines for you –
1. Bobal
Medium-Red, Popular wine
Bobal is a red wine grape that is native to the Utiel-Requena region in Valencia, Spain.
The name “Bobal” comes from the Spanish word for bull, which is fitting given the grape’s large size and round shape.
The Bobal grape has been grown in Spain for centuries and is known for its deep color, high acidity, and full body.
Bobal wines are typically fruity and earthy with notes of blackberry, licorice, and cocoa powder.
They pair well with food, making them ideal for both everyday drinking and special occasions.
2. Carignan
Rose, Medium-red wine
Carignan is a red wine grape that is widely planted in the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions of France.
It is a medium red, rose wine. Carignan wines are typically medium-bodied with high acidity and moderate tannins.
The grape produces wines with aromas of cranberries, raspberries, etc.
Carignan wines are a great choice for holidays!
3. Carménère
Rose, Medium-red wine
Carménère is a red wine grape that is most commonly associated with the Bordeaux region of France.
The grape produces wines with deep, intense fruit flavors and moderate tannins. It is a medium red and rose wine with low acidity and alcohol content.
Carménère is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, but typically has softer tannins and a more approachable flavor profile.
4. Cinsault
Rose, light-red & medium-red wine
Its origins are in the south of France, where it is still widely planted today.
Cinsault wines are typically medium-bodied with soft tannins and moderate acidity.
Rose, light red, and medium red are common wine styles.
They often have aromas and flavors of red fruits such as cherries and raspberries, etc.
5. Concord
Medium red wine
Concord wine is a type of wine made from the Concord grape.
The Concord grape is a variety of grape that is native to the United States and also grown in Canada.
The Concord grape is used to make medium red wine.
Concord grapes are small, dark blue grapes that have thick skin. The flesh of the Concord grape is very juicy and has a strong flavor.
The flavor of Concord grapes is often described as being similar to the flavor of plums, musk, etc.
6. Frappato
Light red, Rare wine
Frappato is a rare, delicious, light-bodied red wine from Sicily, Italy. It has the delicate aromas of strawberries and roses, with a touch of spice.
The flavor is fresh and fruity (strawberry, pomegranate), with low acidity and tannins.
7. Grenache
Medium-red wine
Grenache is a popular red wine grape that can be used to produce everything from light, fruity wines to rich, full-bodied wines.
Grenache is typically high in alcohol and has moderate acidity and is known for its strong aromas of red fruits like strawberries and plums.
8. Lambrusco
Sparkling, light-red wine
Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy.
It is made from a variety of grapes, the most common being Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri and Lambrusco Salamino.
The wine is known for its fruity, slightly sweet taste and its low alcohol content (but high acidity)
9. Malbec
Full-red wine
Malbec is a red wine grape that is grown in several regions around the world, most notably in Argentina.
The Argentine Malbecs are typically big, bold, and juicy, with firm tannins and plenty of dark fruit flavors.
These full red wines can be enjoyed young or cellared for a few years to allow the tannins to soften.
Elsewhere, Malbec is often used as a blending grape, adding structure and color to lighter-bodied wines.
10. Nerello Mascalese
Light-red, rare wine
Nerello Mascalese is a rare red wine grape that is native to the island of Sicily. The grape is most commonly found in the Etna region, where it is used to make some of the world’s most celebrated wines.
Nerello Mascalese wines are known for their elegance and finesse, with aromas and flavors of red fruits, spices, and minerals.
The best examples of the grape are said to have a “volcanic” character, thanks to the unique terroir of Etna.
11. Pinot Noir
Sparkling, light-red wine
Pinot Noir is one of the most popular light-bodied red wines in the world. It has high acidity and low tannins levels.
It is made from the Pinot Noir grape, which is a thin-skinned grape that is difficult to grow.
The best Pinot Noir wines are made in cool climates, such as Burgundy, France.
Pinot Noir wines have aromas of cherries and strawberries, and flavors of red fruits, cloves, earth, and mushrooms.
12. Schiava
Light-red wine
Schiava is a red wine grape variety that is native to the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy.
The grape is also known as Schiava Grossa and Trollinger. Schiava produces light bodied wines with low tannins and high acidity.
The rather uncommon wines are typically fruity with aromas of lemon, strawberries and raspberries.
Schiava is often blended with other red wine grapes such as Merlot, Pinot Noir or Sangiovese.
13. Valpolicella Blend
Medium/full red wine
Valpolicella Blend wine is a type of red wine that is made in the Veneto region of Italy. The name “Valpolicella” comes from the Latin word for “valley of many cellars.
This type of wine is made from a blend of three grape varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.
The wines produced in this region are typically light-bodied and have high acidity. They are often used as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to food.
14. Zweigelt
Rose / Light-red wine
Zweigelt is a red wine grape that was created in 1922 by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt at the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology in Vienna, Austria.
It is the most widely planted red grape variety in Austria, where it is used to produce dry red wines with fruity aromas and soft tannins.
Zweigelt wines are typically light-bodied with flavors of cherries, raspberries, and spice.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and precipitate proteins.
The term “tannin” (from Anglo-Norman tanne, tanne, from Old French tan, from Late Latin tannare, from Gaulish *tan) refers to the use of oak bark in tanning hides into leather.
By extension, the word “tannin” can refer to any bitter plant compound that binds to and precipitates proteins.
Tannins are present in many other plants beyond the oak tree, including:
In winemaking, tannins are important for both their antioxidant properties and their ability to contribute to the aging process of wine.
Tannins can be beneficial in small quantities, but too much can make a wine taste astringent and harsh.
In case you love the astringent taste, check out red wines with medium tannins here>
In the end
I hope this quick guide helped you identify the right low tannins wine for yourself.
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