Pinot Noir

Colour: Light - Dark Ruby

Body: Light - Medium

Character: Diversity - Soft and Tart

Flavours: Cherries, forest floor, strawberries, fresh mushrooms, herbs

Drinking: Early (now to 10 years)

Tannin: Moderate

Best From: Burgundy, California (Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Santa Barbara), Oregon, Champagne - sparkling Blanc de Noirs

Syrah/Shiraz

Colour: Dark Ruby - Black/Purple

Body: Medium - Full

Character: Fleshy

Flavours: Blackberries, Cassis, Pepper, Tar, Coffee

Drinking: Early to Long Term (10 to 15 years)

Tannin: Moderate

Best From: Northern Rhone Valley, Southern Australia (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley), California

Merlot

Colour: Dark Ruby - Dark Purple

Body: Medium - Full

Character: Usually soft

Flavours: Black Cherries, Mocha, Coffee, Black Tea, Tomato Skins, Plums

Drinking: Early to Mid-term (now to 12 years)

Tannin: Moderate

Best From: Bordeaux, Tuscany, occasionally California

Cabernet Sauvignon

Colour: Dark Purple - Black Purple

Body: Medium - Full

Character:Tannic and muscular; wines with gravitas

Flavours: Black currants, cedar wood, cigar tobacco

Drinking: Mid to Late Term - 3 to 20 years

Tannin: High

Best From: Bordeaux (Medoc), California (Napa Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains), Argentina, Chile, occasionally Australia

Grenache

Colour: Medium Ruby to Dark Plum

Body: Medium - Full

Character: Silky and voluptuous

Flavours: Kirsch liqueur - essence of cherries, raspberries, licorice, pepper, Provencal herbs

Drinking: Early to Mid-term - now to 14 years

Tannin: Low

Best From: Southern Rhone Valley, Spain, Southern Australia