Wine Grape Varieties
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Types of Wine Grapes
There are various varieties of grapes which produces different types of red or white wine which is manufactured in various regions of the world.
Red Wine Grapes
Barbera (Bar-BEAR-ah) : Semi-classic grape making classic Italian red wines which is commonly grown in the Piedmont region and most of northern Italy. Widespread in California.
Cabarnet Sauvignon (Cah-burr-NAY Sow-vee-NYOH) : It is one of the world’s best wine grape varieties. It’s often blended with cabernet franc and merlot. Cabarnet Sauvignon usually undergoes oak treatment.
Merlot (Mehr-LOW) : Easy to drink. It’s a classic grape variety which is widely grown in the Bordeaux region of France and elsewhere. The red wine bears a resemblance to Cabernet Sauvignon wine, with which it is sometimes blended, but is usually not so intense.
Pinot Noir (pee-noh NWAHR) : The premier grape of the Burgundy region of France, which produces a red wine that is lighter in color than the Bordeaux reds such as the Cabernets or Merlot.
Sangiovese (San-jo-VAY-zay) : Semi-classic grape grown in the Tuscany region of Italy. Used to produce the Chianti and other Tuscan red wines.
Syrah (See-RAH) or Shiraz (SHEAR-oz) : A grape variety associated with the Rhone Valley region of France, California and Australia. Famous for creating “Hermitage” red wine.
Zinfandel (Zin-fan-DELL) : It’s the world’s most versatile wine grape that makes everything from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy red wines.
White Wine Grapes
Chardonnay (Shar-dun-NAY) : This variety is the best-known white-wines, grown in France. Hugely successful in many regions of the world due to its mid-season ripening and versatility. New Zealand and Australia have succeeded in producing world-class wines in the recent years.
Chenin Blanc (Shen-ihn, BLAHN) : It is the favored grape of the Anjou region of France and, although it’s a naturally hard and acidic grape and a grape which is slow to mature, is made into fine sweet wines. These wines age well for at least ten years in the bottle.
Gewürztraminer (Gah-vurtz-tra-meener) : Dry or sweet, with an intensely aromatic spiciness. Alsace produces some quality Gewürztraminers.
Muscat (Moos-cat) : Aromatic, ancient grape with a characteristic grape that is fruity and musky (as the name implies) aroma. Muscats vary from rich, sweet and fortified to light, floral and dry.
Pinot Blanc (Pee-noe BlahN) : This is a white wine grape that makes a dry, full white wine that some like to Chardonnay, but typically medium in body and sometimes showing melon scents.
Riesling (Rees-ling) : It’s the classic German grape of the Rhine and Mosel. It certainly ranks with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and is among the noblest wine grapes. Riesling wines range from dry, light and apple crisp to rich, sweet and honey flavored.
Sauvignon Blanc (Soh-veen-yown, blahnk) : It’s white grape variety which is native to the Loire and Bordeaux, where it is usually blended with Semillon. It is also widely planted in the Western U.S., South America, Australia and New Zealand and elsewhere in the world. It is also known as Fumé Blanc. The wine has a delightful fresh, tangy style with distinctive flavours of gooseberries, elderflower and asparagus.
Semillon (Say-mee-YAW) : White wine grape, native to Bordeaux and used there primarily in a blend with Sauvignon Blanc. Ranges from dry, light lemon-flavoured to sweet wines with aromas of barley sugar and peaches.
Cheers!