Viognier is traditionally grown in France's northern Rhone valley, but it has also been doing well in the New World, for example California. Viognier wines from France's northern Rhone valley tend towards strong floral aromas; Viognier wines from Languedoc in the south of France tend to be drier, more acidic, lighter in texture, and have more citrus flavors. Wines made with Viognier grapes should generally be drunk young (before 18 months or so) and well-chilled.

Gamay grapes grow especially well in the Beaujolais district of France where they are used to produce Beaujolais wines. Although the Gamay grape itself has lots of tannins, the resulting Gamay wines are characterized by fairly low tannins. Wines made from Gamay grapes have fresh, fruity flavors like strawberry and raspberry and aromas of pears.

Pinot Noir wine is produced from red grapes but it is much lighter in color than other red wines. Pinot Noir flavors and aromas include roses, fruits, black cherry, berry, and currant. Other Pinot Noir characteristics include high acidity and low tannins. Pinot Noir's flavor depends heavily where it is grown and how the wine maker treats it, so a good winery can produce exceptional wines. However, Pinot Noir is finicky and can produce poor wines even when the wine maker does things right.

Malbec grapes originated in France and play a big role in the wine production of Argentina. The flavors and aromas of wines made from Malbec grapes include blackberry, cherry, plums, and chocolate. Other characteristics of Malbec wines include inky-black coloring, soft or high tannins, and high acidity.

Malbec wines aren't as popular as wines made from other red grape varieties, but their popularity is growing as wine drinkers seek out new and different wine experiences.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are among the most widely grown, widely know, and widely enjoyed grapes for red wine. The flavors and aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon wines include vanilla, currants, and even green bell pepper if made form underripe Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Other characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon wine include high alcohol levels and strong tannins. These strong tannins make it easier to age Cabernet Sauvignon in cellars for many decades.