Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the landscape, and has for as long as I can remember. Every once in a while another variety grabs the spotlight away from most other reds, but always the constant is Cabernet. Merlot had her glory days; now it has become trendy to beat it down rather than to drink it up. Pinot Noir became an overnight success after a hundred or more years of blending into the background and sadly most other red varieties are sitting in the third row (I suppose you could make an argument for Malbec, Sangiovese or even Syrah) hoping to be discovered…waiting…

In the meantime, there are literally hundreds of undiscovered varietals that you can investigate. Most do not offer the same weight/body/structure as Cabernet Sauvignon, but that is exactly why you SHOULD be open to all this other wine, because it is not the same ol’ Cabernet. Even if I could afford to, I don’t think I would drink 1947 Cheval Blanc every night, or even Bordeaux every night for that matter. It’s perfectly ok for a red wine to be ruby colored, to not have the tannin of Cabernet, and to not need the barrel treatment usually given to the big wines. Red wine can be light; red wine can be refreshin—get out there and find out all the things red wine can be!

Here is a short list of eight red wines made in places around the world where there might not be a Cabernet vine for a hundred…maybe a thousand…miles!

Mourvedre:

Better known as Mataro in California and as Monastrell in Spain, the Mourvedre is interesting in that along with her unique flavor profile of currant and black fruits, it is also quite resistant to oxidation, so it ages well. Bunan Bandol ($19) Luz del Palacio ($15)

Cannonau:

Garnacha from Spain made its way across S. France (Grenache) and onto the Italian island of Sardinia, where it is locally known as Cannonau, and known worldwide for its health related qualities! Santa Maria la Palma Cannonau di Sardegna ($13)

Barbera:

The workhorse grape of Piedmont, Barbera can be simple and fruit driven or barrel-aged with ripe and rich flavors and loads of depth. Barbera is best known when it comes from vineyards around the villages of Asti and Alba. Valfieri Barbera d’Asti ($14) Pavia Barbera d’Asti  ‘Moliss’ ($15) Pavia Barbera d’Asti ‘Blina’ ($13)

Carmenere:

Once thought to be Merlot in Bordeaux, France, Carmenere was determined to be a varietal unto itself. It is allowed in the typical Bordeaux bland, but has found more fame standing alone in the vineyards of Chile. Casas del Bosque Carmenere ($13)

Pinotage:

Pinotage, a cross of Pinot Noir X Cinsault, is S. Africa’s own. Offers the delicacy of Pinot Noir with some of the earthiness of the Cinsault. Recent examples are cleaner and made better than in past vintages, so now is a good time to discover the true character! Tormentoso Pinotage ($12) Painted Wolf Pinotage ($12)

Douro-Portugal blends:

Long famous for the fortified sweet reds, Douro has recently seen a movement towards producing dry reds from the same varieties, most importantly Touriga Nacional. Meaty reds of serious quality and tremendous flavor! Quinta do Vallado ($25) Prazo de Roriz ($16)

Sussumaniello:

Thought extinct, until discovered and reintroduced by Gregory Petrucci at Recemi in Italy’s Puglia, the Sussumaniello is worth a try simply because of its story, but well worth the effort to find a bottle! Racemi SUM Torreguaceto ($20)

Gamay:

Beaujolais has a long tradition as a seasonal red, yet can be a delicious wine, slightly chilled, year round. Offering juicy fruitiness and almost zero tannins, they are the perfect summer sipper and work very well with food. Jean St. Honore Beaujolais-Villages ($12)

And one for the sweet palate:

Dornfelder:

Germany is not so famous for her red wines, but Pinot Noir is on the rise and oddly, Dornfelder is a sensation. One of the few sweet red wines we offer, this lower alcohol version is, in a few words, the perfect red wine for non-red wine drinkers! Villa L Dornfelder ($10)  Valckenberg Dornfelder ($10)

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne.