5 Underrated Red Grape Varieties You Should Try Now

You're a Cab guy, and she's a Pinot girl. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are classics for good reason—they're widely planted, offer diverse styles, and deliver consistent qualities. Basically, you know what to expect. But the world of wine is vast, and many lesser-known red grape varieties deserve your attention. Here are five underrated red grapes you may have heard of but probably haven't tried. They produce fantastic wines that winemakers love, and once you give them a chance, they might just surprise you.

Blaufränkisch

Blaufränkisch is a fascinating grape, offering vibrant acidity and an airy mouthfeel that's almost Pinot-like, yet with a spicy touch that keeps things interesting. It delivers dark fruit flavors without becoming jammy. Elegant yet fruity, approachable but structured, winemakers are increasingly embracing this variety, particularly in its native Austria, as well as in neighboring Germany and Hungary. Even the Finger Lakes region of New York has started producing some impressive examples.

Expect dark berry notes, hints of cooking spices, and a refreshing acidity that makes Blaufränkisch an excellent food wine. It pairs beautifully with steak, stews, pasta, and pizza. With its moderate tannins and bright acidity, even entry-level bottles can age gracefully for a few years, offering excellent value.

Aglianico

Aglianico may not be a household name, but it's the backbone of Taurasi, a prestigious wine from Campania in southern Italy often called "the Barolo of the South." Known for its firm tannins, Aglianico can be a bit intimidating at first. However, like the world's greatest wines—fine Bordeaux, Barolo, or Brunello—it has the potential to develop incredible depth, complexity, and longevity.

Taurasi and Aglianico del Vulture (from Basilicata) are the top expressions of this grape, but producers in California and other regions are also experimenting with it. Aglianico offers flavors of black cherries, blackberries, plum, licorice, and spice. With age, its tannins soften, and earthy, leathery notes emerge. If you're a fan of powerful Italian reds, Aglianico is a must-try.

Tannat

Tannat is often misunderstood, mainly because it's practically undrinkable for many in its youth due to its intense tannins. It's one of the darkest, most structured grape varieties, but that also makes it one of the best candidates for aging.

With time, Tannat's heavy, concentrated dark fruit flavors mellow, revealing layers of graphite, smoke, earthiness, and exotic spices like cardamom. Uruguay has adopted Tannat as its national grape, much like Malbec in Argentina, producing rich yet increasingly refined expressions. For an old-world take, look to Madiran in southwest France, where Tannat-based wines are often blended with Merlot or Cabernet Franc for balance.

Beyond its complexity, Tannat is also a great value wine that can age for more than a decade. If you enjoy bold reds with aging potential, this grape belongs in your collection.

Barbera

When people think of Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco steal the spotlight, while Moscato d'Asti charms with its easy-drinking appeal. Barbera, however, sits somewhere in between—more approachable than the famous Barolo and Barbaresco but more structured than the frizzy, sweet Moscato.

If we were to pick an all-around food wine in Italy, Barbera should be the frontrunner. It features a vibrant mix of red and dark berries, spice, herbs, and a touch of earthiness, all wrapped in bright acidity and soft tannins. Whether paired with ragu pasta, game meats, prosciutto, tomato-based dishes, or aged cheeses, Barbera shines.

While Piedmont remains its heartland, Barbera has also found a home in California and Australia, where it is made as both a varietal wine and a blending component. If you're looking for a smooth, food-friendly red that delivers immediate pleasure, Barbera is an excellent choice.

Grenache

Grenache is one of the most widely planted red grapes in the world, yet we don't seem to talk about it as a varietal wine very much. Often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre, as in the famous GSM blends of the Rhône Valley and Australia, Grenache is sometimes dismissed for being too jammy, too high in alcohol, or lacking acidity.

However, when grown in the right conditions, Grenache can be extraordinary. The grape itself features ripe red fruit like cherry and wild strawberry, along with earthy, gamey notes. Its potential is evident in the fact that one of California's most iconic cult wine producers, Sine Qua Non, has some top Grenache bottlings. The grape's versatility is showcased in different styles worldwide: from Spain's easy-drinking, fruit-driven Garnacha to Sardinia's intense yet refined Cannonau, modern-style Australian Grenache, and Paso Robles' various Grenache wines available at all price points, whether as a varietal wine or blended with other Rhône varieties.

Grenache is often misunderstood, but if you find a well-made one, you'll quickly see why it deserves more recognition.

One of the joys of drinking wine is discovering new and exciting options. So why not step outside your usual Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir and explore these underrated red varieties? They offer distinctive flavors, excellent food-pairing potential, and often outstanding value.

Not a fan of reds and prefer white wines? No problem! Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll introduce five underrated white grape varieties you should try. Until then, happy drinking!

Sylvia Ba