Medium to full bodied with moderate to crisp acidity; Bright red fruit, with medium tannins.

• A. Pinot Noir
• B. Merlot
• C. Cabernet Sauvignon
• D. Malbec

Answer: (D)

Body and acidity clues guide you to the grape. This description calls for a wine with some heft but not overwhelming tannins, and enough freshness to keep the fruit bright. Malbec commonly sits in a medium-to-full body range with moderate tannins and acidity that can be crisp, depending on climate. The fruit profile can include bright red notes like cherry or red plum, especially when the grape isn’t overly ripe, which helps keep the fruit character bright rather than just dark fruit. Taken together, these traits line up best with Malbec among the options, whereas Pinot Noir usually runs lighter with higher acidity and red-fruit focus, Merlot tends to be softer with less tannin, and Cabernet Sauvignon leans toward more pronounced tannins and darker fruit.