What Is Dry Red Wine? (Types, 10 Best Bottles, Cooking Tips)

A well-crafted dry red wine has enticing aromas and a rich flavor profile — a perfect drinking experience by itself or with savory dishes.

Dry red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel are great for cooking as well.

Besides, wine collectors adore them for their aging potential (thanks to the high tannins.) If stored properly, these wines can develop exotic nuances and can appreciate in value with age.

Let’s explore the different grape varieties, the best dry red wines for cooking, and more. We’ll also check out 10 dry red wine bottles to buy in 2023 and how to invest in the finest ones through Vinovest.

What Is Dry Red Wine?

Red wines with minimal residual sugar (the leftover sugar in the wine) are called dry red wines. 

Typically, any wine with less than 1% sweetness level (less than 10g of residual sugar per liter) is called “dry.”

Depending on the sweetness level, red wines are classified as:

• Dry: less than 1% residual sugar
• Off-dry or semi-sweet: Above 3% residual sugar
• Sweet wine: Above 5% residual sugar
• Dessert wine: 7%-9% residual sugar

So, how’s dry red wine different from sweet red wine?

A sweet red wine contains high amounts of residual sugar, which gives you that familiar wine sweetness and increases its calories. 

What Are the Other Characteristics of a Dry Red Wine?

A classic dry red wine will leave a drying sensation in your mouth and have a noticeable astringency – thanks to the tannin levels.

The flavors of dry red wines can range from dark fruits like plum and blackberry to notes of spice, tobacco, and leather, depending on the grape variety and production method. For example, Pinot Noir is known worldwide for its bright red fruit flavors.

What Makes a Red Wine Dry?

To make dry red wines, the winemaker ferments the grape juice entirely — meaning, during the fermentation process, the yeast consumes all the sugar in the grape juice, converting it into alcohol.

The fermentation process reduces the amount of sugar in the wine, decreasing the residual sugar level and increasing the wine’s alcohol content.

Let’s look at the different dry red wine grapes.

10 Most Popular Dry Red Grape Varieties

Here are the dry red wine types based on the grape variety:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Malbec
• Grenache
• Syrah or Shiraz
• Pinot Noir
• Tempranillo
• Zinfandel
• Sangiovese
• Other Dry Red Grapes

1. Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety is grown across the globe in the US, France, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and Italy. In France’s Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Winemakers use the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to make hearty, tannic dry red wines. 

Typically, Cabernet Sauvignon wine is bold and complex with olives, black currant, and black cherry flavor and can have 13%-15% alcohol content.

Some of the most sought-after varietal Cabernet Sauvignon wines are those from Napa Valley that pair perfectly with a chocolate dessert.

2. Merlot

The Merlot grape is most widely grown in the US, Italy, and France, with small quantities in Australia, Chile, and South Africa. 

Merlot is produced in two distinctive styles — both equally popular among wine drinkers:

• The traditional Bordeaux wines are medium-bodied with red fruit flavors and preserve grape acidity. The most sought-after Merlot wines come from the St. Emilion and Pomerol appellations.
• New World Merlot wines are full-bodied with inky purple color and fruity flavor. 

3. Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a black-skinned red wine grape primarily grown in France, the US, and Italy. 

This grape variety is typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but it’s also great as a varietal wine. Cabernet Franc dry red wines have floral, fruity notes (mostly black fruit.)

The best example of a Cabernet Franc dry red is the Bordeaux red wine.

4. Malbec

Native to South West France, the Malbec red wine grape has become the signature grape variety of Argentina. 

Malbec wine has a deep red color, high tannins, and black cherry flavor. Malbec wine is usually aged in French oak barrels to give it more structure.

Malbec is also used to produce a sparkling wine Saumur in the Loire Valley.

5. Grenache

In Rhône Valley, Grenache is blended with Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre grape varietals. It’s also a famous wine grape in Spain and Australia. 

If you want a fruity, ripe wine, get a Grenache wine from warmer regions like the South of France or Spain. A sweet cherry flavor balances the dryness.

Grenache is also used in sweet wine blends and Rosé wines. 

6. Syrah or Shiraz

Depending on where it's grown, Syrah can produce light and fruity wines or dense and spicy dry red wines. 

Cool-climate Syrah is medium to full-bodied with high tannin levels and \blackberry and tobacco flavor. Warm-climate Syrah is jammy with softer tannins and baking spice, licorice, and anise flavors.  

In California, Syrah is blended with Zinfandel and Petite Sirah to produce a dense, full-bodied red wine.

7. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir, the fifth most planted grape globally, hails from the Burgundy wine region. The Pinot Noir grape is also grown in Oregon, California, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Dry red Pinot Noir wines are light to medium-bodied with a fruity flavor (mostly red fruit.) Also, Pinot has low tannins with 12%-15% alcohol content.

Despite being softer than most dry red wines, Pinot Noir has good aging potential. The flavor becomes more complex and creamy with hints of earth and spice notes as the wine ages.

Fruity Pinot Noir wines pair well with foods like braised beef, duck, lamb, and mushrooms.

8. Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a Spanish grape used to make fine wines like Rioja, both as a standalone and in a red blend. It also makes fine sweet wine like Port (a fortified wine).

Tempranillo wines are aged in barrels where they acquire an oak barrel aftertaste mixed with flavors like leather, smoke, and red plum.

9. Zinfandel

Zinfandel is one of California's most popular grape varieties, but it originated in Croatia. 

Dry red Zinfandel wines are usually light-bodied with red fruit and strawberry flavors, making them easy to drink.

Apart from dry red wines, Zinfandel is also used to make dessert wine.

10. Sangiovese

Sangiovese is emblematic of the Chianti region in Italy. This Italian wine is medium-bodied with plum and cherry aromas and 13%-14% alcohol content.

This Italian red wine pairs best with red meat, pasta with tomato sauce, spicy food, and even a dessert cake.

Other Dry Red Wine Grapes

The other popular dry red wine grapes are:

• Petit Verdot
• Mourvèdre
• Cinsault
• Nebbiolo
• Barbera
• Gamay grape (the secret of fruity Beaujolais)
• Lambrusco
• Petite Sirah

A good-quality dry red wine can also add deliciously subtle nuances to your favorite dish.

Here’s how:

Cooking With Dry Red Wine

Dry red wine is commonly used in red meat dishes to boost the aromas and flavors of the dish. 

A. Tips for Cooking With Dry Red Wine

Here are some quick pointers to keep in mind to create a masterpiece.

• Always marinate the meat with dry red wine before cooking to avoid making it bitter.
• Avoid using an old wine that has lost its flavor. Also, avoid opened bottles as the wine may have oxidized, which will add a vinegary taste to your dish.
• Cook the wine before adding the ingredients to cook off the alcohol. 
• Add the wine slowly to the pan. It helps the dish to absorb the flavors of the wine slowly.
• Cook the wine on low heat to avoid the bitter flavor.

B. Dry Red Wine vs Cooking Wine

The cheaper cooking wines are usually low-quality wines that add a robust flavor to the dish. However, it won’t add the subtle nuances that a good quality dry red wine will.

Also, cooking wine usually has high salt content, which can overwhelm the food’s taste if not handled properly.

C. How to Choose a Good Dry Red Wine for Cooking

To get complex, mouthwatering flavors in your dish, avoid using a cheap wine that lacks subtle nuances. 

You also do not need to buy expensive dry red wines for cooking. Cooking can burn off some of their exotic flavors. That’s why they’re best served with food. 

Go for moderately-priced good dry red wines that you enjoy casually with dinner. 

Some dry red wines to buy for cooking are:

• Merlot
• Pinot Noir
• Chianti
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Grenache

D. What Is a Substitute for Dry Red Wine in Cooking?

If you don’t have a dry red wine, or are looking for non-alcoholic options, you can replace it with beef broth, chicken broth, or even vegetable broth.

Have more questions about dry red wines?

We’ve got you covered!

FAQs About Storing, Serving & Drinking Dry Red Wine

Here are the answers to all the questions you may have about storing and serving this drink:

How Should You Store Dry Red Wine?

Store your dry red wine bottle horizontally in a dark, quiet room. Ensure that the temperature is around 55°F (13°C).

Storing the drink below its freezing point (around 22°F or -5.6°C) can impact its texture and make it feel watery or unbalanced on the palate. Meanwhile, storing it at temperatures above 68°F (20°C) may speed up its aging and destroy its volatile compounds

To make your life easier, consider getting a wine fridge. This will help keep the drink at the right humidity and proper temperature.

Does Red Wine Need to be Chilled?

Dry red wine is best served at 55°F-65°F (13°C-18°C). So you can slightly cool the wine before serving.

What Are The Best Food Pairings With Dry Red Wine?

To get the best of dry red wine, pair it with cured meat like bologna, roasted vegetables, or rich fish dishes like salmon.

How Many Calories Are in a Glass of Dry Red Wine?

A glass of dry red wine (5 ounces) will have around 72-127 calories, depending on the alcohol content and style.

How Many Carbs Are in Dry Red Wine?

A dry red wine has around 4-6 grams of carbs in a 5-ounce serving.

Can You Have Dry Red Wine on a Keto Diet?

Thanks to the low carbs and sugar content, you can drink a dry red wine on keto. Just remember to drink it in moderation.

So, what are the finest dry red wines to get your hands on?

10 Best Dry Red Wine Bottles to Buy in 2023 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are some of the most delicious dry red wines you need to add to your collection.

1. 2015 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru
2. 2018 Chateau Petrus
3. 2011 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve
4. 2005 Opus One Vertical Collection
5. 2015 Luigi Bosca Icono
6. 2015 Vina Almaviva
7. 2013 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet - Shiraz
8. 2020 Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d'Alba
9. 2016 Catena Zapata 'Catena Alta' Malbec
10. 2018 Domaine Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernieres Les Impenitents

1. 2015 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($163,750)

This dry wine has a deep bouquet of black raspberry, cherry, rose petal, and spice. On the palate, the wine showcases satiny tannin and the purity of fruit.

2. 2018 Chateau Petrus, Pomerol, France ($6,118) 

Petrus is a harmonious Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine perfectly balances finesse and boldness with medium to high acidity and tannin levels.

The 2018 vintage combines dark fruit flavor with an earthy aroma and a hint of smoke and dark chocolate.

3. 2011 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve, Rhone, France ($1,608)

This magnificent dry Rhône wine has an explosive nose of mint, strawberry, and cherry. A long, lingering fruity finish characterizes the palate.

4. 2005 Opus One Vertical Collection, Napa Valley, USA ($556)

It is a rich Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, and Malbec. 

The 2005 Opus One vintage has blackberry and cassis flavors accompanied by an aroma of dark chocolate, oak, and smoke.

5. 2015 Luigi Bosca Icono, Las Compuertas, Argentina ($232)

This dry red wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It has a distinctive blackberry taste with undertones of cocoa and smoke.

6. 2015 Vina Almaviva, Puente Alto, Chile ($184) 

This well-balanced bold Chilean red wine has medium tannin and acidity levels. This vintage has pleasant blueberry and cassis flavor combined with a sweet aroma of vanilla and chocolate.

7. 2013 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet - Shiraz, South Australia ($97) 

This dry Australian red wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend. It’s light with medium acidity and tannin levels.

This vintage has a light berry and plum taste with an aroma of licorice, oak, and vanilla.

8. 2020 Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy ($74)

The nose of this Italian wine bursts with floral and mineral aromas. This Italian red wine has a bit of darker fruit flavour with savory undertones and a deep finish on the palate.

9. 2016 Catena Zapata 'Catena Alta' Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($52)

This remarkable Malbec red wine has excellent elegant smoothness balanced by refreshing acidity. The wine has plenty of tannins with cocoa, mulberry, blueberry, and incense notes.

10. 2018 Domaine Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernieres Les Impenitents, Beaujolais, France ($48)

A wine enthusiast will love this vintage Beaujolais for its black raspberry, mulberry, cracked pepper, orange rind, and peony aromas. It is deep, full-bodied on the palate, and has a concentrated and multidimensional core with powdery tannins and a long, lingering finish.

But are dry reds worthy of your investment portfolio?

Investing in Dry Red Wine

Dry red wines are, in fact, a staple in the cellar of a serious wine collector. 

A tannic dry red like Cabernet Sauvignon can age for 10-20 years, while exceptional dry red wine, like the Burgundian Pinot Noir, can last even longer.

This age-worthiness, coupled with prestigious producers (especially in leading wine regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy), helps these wines command high prices in the secondary market. (Most Grand Cru Burgundies are valued at more than $20,000).

They also show eye-popping price appreciation. For example, a Merlot from Bordeaux’s Pomerol, the 1941 Petrus, is still drinkable and continues to show a steady price increase. Its price grew by 32% — from $7,944 in July 2022 to $10,511 in July 2023.

If you want to add a fine dry red wine to your collection, you’ll need to make sure that you buy an authentic bottle. Also, you’ll have to find the perfect storage for your bottle, or you may be left with vinegar after a few months!

Thankfully, Vinovest will help you with that. 

It is a world-class wine investment company that will help you buy, sell, and store rare and authentic dry reds and even fortified wines from around the world within a few clicks.

Here’s all you need to do:

1. Sign up on the Vinovest website.
2. Fill a questionnaire about your risk appetite and investing style.
3. Fund your account with $1,000 or more.
4. Sit back with a glass of dry red and watch your portfolio grow.

Get Your Hands on a Delicious Dry Red Wine!

Dry red wines offer rich, complex flavors and are highly coveted by every wine enthusiast across the world.

Their robust tannic structure also makes them cellar-worthy. 

So, what next? 

Simply sign upwith Vinovest and build a rewarding portfolio of dry reds, sweet Chenin Blanc, fortified wines, and many more!