Our Winemaker’s Guide to Red Wines

While Biltmore’s handcrafted red wines pair perfectly with cozy winter weather, this guide to red wines by Sharon Fenchak, Biltmore’s winemaker, offers great tips for finding red varietals and blends to enjoy all year long.

Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak in the Barrel Room at the Winery.

Meet your red wine guide

With decades of winemaking experience, Sharon Fenchak can offer helpful guidance on understanding and approaching all wines, including red ones. The U.S. Army veteran has been with Biltmore since 1999, starting as an assistant to winemaker Bernard Delille, then taking on the role of head winemaker after Bernard’s retirement in 2018.

“From meals that feature hearty winter fare to cozy movie nights and more, a glass of red wine is a welcome complement to cooler weather activities,” said Sharon. “But once the weather warms, don’t shelve your reds. Learning a few basics about red wine will enable you to choose what fits the season, your palate, and your mood, any time of the year.”

Biltmore Century Sweet Red Wine is a guest favorite in the Winery’s Tasting Room.

Sweet red wines v. drier options

According to Sharon, the sweetness or dryness of a wine depends on several factors, including the residual sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Biltmore® Century Sweet Red Wine is a good example of a sweeter style that pairs well with cheeses and decadent chocolate desserts. With red wines such as our Vanderbilt Reserve® Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, most of the sugar has been converted into alcohol, resulting in a drier style that complements rich fare and offers good aging potential.

Other factors that affect the sweetness and dryness of wines:

• Acidity: Wines with higher acidity levels tend to taste drier. 
• Tannins: These bitter compounds in red grape skins contribute to the signature mouthfeel of drier red wines. 
• Grape variety: Some varietals have inherently higher sugar levels that contribute to a sweeter taste. The flavor profile of others might feature a lot of ripe fruit notes that give the perception of sweetness, even if the wine doesn’t contain high amounts of residual sugar. 

We handcraft red wines in a variety of body styles.

What is body style?

“Wine is often described in terms of body style, from light to medium to full-bodied,” said Sharon. “Body refers to viscosity—the weight and feel of the wine when you take a sip.

If you’re just learning about wines, Sharon suggests it may be helpful to think about body styles of milk, a more familiar beverage. Whole milk is full-bodied with a heavier, richer mouth-coating feel while light-bodied fat-free milk has a smoother, lighter texture.

In general, lighter-bodied red wines like our Biltmore Estate® Pinot Noir have a slightly lower alcohol content and tend to be refreshing and easy to drink. You may even enjoy them with some foods that would traditionally be paired with white wine, like roast turkey or pork loin.

Medium-bodied red wines such as our estate-grown Biltmore® Reserve North Carolina Merlot tend to complement a wide range of flavors, making them a good choice for sipping on their own or savoring with a meal.

Like their medium counterparts, full-bodied reds like guest-favorite The Hunt Sonoma County Red Blend or Biltmore Estate® Cabernet Sauvignon work in symphony with foods, but complex flavors and a fuller body allow them to give a star solo performance.  

Red wines can range in color from bright purple to deep maroon–and every shade in between!

Take cues from red wine hues

“One of the most beautiful aspects of red wines are the color variations, but there is much more to it than just pigmentation,” Sharon said.

Black, red, or purple grape varietals are used to create red wines, but the finished product can come in many shades such as pink, purple, ruby, and garnet.

“The color of the grape’s skin obviously affects the wine,” explained Sharon, “but so does the varietal character of the grape, the climate in which it’s grown, and the length of time the wine has been aged.”

Typically, the lighter a red wine’s color, the younger the vintage, while wines that are aged longer have deeper colors. Neither wine is superior; it’s simply a matter of what fits the occasion and which you find most appealing.”

Add festive bubbles to any occasion with our Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir, a sparkling wine crafted with Pinot Noir grapes.

Still and sparkling wines: what’s the difference?

“The biggest difference between still and sparkling wines occurs in the fermentation process,” Sharon said. “For our Biltmore sparkling wines, we utilize the classic méthode champenoise in which a still wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle. It is the traditional way to create the fine, tiny bubbles that make sparkling wine so special.”

Sparkling wines are similar to still wines when it comes to other characteristics such as sweetness, dryness, and body style. A sparkling wine like our pink-hued Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Noir—handcrafted from red Pinot Noir grapes—is perfect for year-round occasions, from romantic Valentine’s Day celebrations and summer wedding toasts to all your fall and holiday gatherings.

Red wines are best served slightly chilled.

Quick tips for storing and serving your red wines

• Red wine is best served slightly chilled at around 55–65 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider putting red wines in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving.
• Choose glasses with a wider bowl that allows the wine to aerate before you drink it.
• Red wines may also benefit from being decanted before being served.
• Red wines typically age more smoothly than white wines due to the presence of tannins. Allow bottles to age for six months to a year and see if the flavor has changed perceptibly.
• All wines should be stored in a cool, dark place. If you don’t have a dedicated space for storage, consider a kitchen cabinet (away from the stove and not above the refrigerator!) or a guest room closet to minimize light and vibration. Keep the bottle tilted downward toward the cork, if possible.

Savor the Bistro’s hearty Beef Bourguignon recipe featuring red wine from the comfort of home.

Create perfect pairings with red wines

Looking for something new to explore this winter? Consider tackling a hearty recipe that features red wine—Bistro’s Beef Bourguignon is a great place to start.

As the weather warms for spring and summer, consider a sensational red sangria showcasing our versatile, food-friendly Biltmore Estate® Cardinal’s Crest®. For fall and the holidays, enjoy the warm comfort of our Wassail Spice Blend with your favorites in Biltmore’s red wine collection.

“The topic of red wines is expansive and endlessly fascinating,” said Sharon, “and Biltmore’s wide range of red wines can provide perfect pairings for any season, lifestyle, palate, meal, and occasion.”

Learn more about Biltmore red wines with a complimentary tasting at the estate’s Winery or with a Vanderbilt Wine Club membership.

Learn more with a Vanderbilt Wine Club® membership

Now that you know a bit more about red wines, we invite you to discover new favorites with a complimentary tasting at our estate winery in Antler Hill Village, and explore new varietals each season by joining our Vanderbilt Wine Club.

In addition to enjoying your preferred Club style of Red, White, Mixed Red and White, or Sweet wines seasonally, you’ll receive invitations to virtual wine tastings, in-depth notes, recipes, and, of course, you’ll gain early access to our newest wine releases.

Become a member today, and have the season’s best delivered right to your doorstep. “The Vanderbilt Wine Club is an exciting and effortless way to learn about the best wines for each time of year,” Sharon said, “and to experience firsthand why I never tire of my profession!”