What is a wine varietal?
A varietal is a descriptive term for a wine based on the variety of grape used to make the wine.
What differentiates red wine from white ?
first, the skin color of the grape, and second, the amount if time the grape juice has with its skins. After picking, red grapes are put into tanks or barrels where they marinate with their skins for a bit, absorbing the pigments and other aspects of the skin (think tannins). This is how red wine gets its red color. The exact color, which can range from light red to almost purple, depends on both the color of the particular grape skin and the amount of time it sits with the skins. Remember, the inside of almost all grapes is a light, golden color – it’s the skins that have the pigment.
What is “Chardonnay” (shar-dawn-AY) ?
Chardonnay is one of the most popular white grape varieties in America and throughout North America, as well as the white grape of the Burgundy region of France. Very easy to enjoy thanks to its full, round body and buttery, appley flavors laced with toastiness (the latter comes from the oak barrels used in making most Chardonnays).
What is “Cabernet Franc”?
The somewhat leaner sister of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc is often grown in the same places and is usually blended with cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The one noteworthy exception to this is the Loire Valley of France where cabernet franc alone makes the well known wines Chinon and Bourgeuil. Cabernet franc often has a unique violet aroma and a slightly spicy flavor.
What is “Cabernet Sauvignon” (cab-uhr-NAY sow-veeh-yawn) ?
Many refer to Cabernet Sauvignon as the king of red grapes. Perhaps that title is due to its ability to grow worldwide in a number of climates, or to the fact that it produces wine with such character yet such diversity. Either way, this grape is responsible, as a whole or a partner, for some of the greatest wines in the world.
Common Descriptors:
black currant, cassis, herbs, cedar, tobacco, earth
What is “Gewürztraminer” (Guh-WERTZ-trah-meen-ehr) ?
The world’s most prestigious gewürztraminers come from the Alsace region of France, but the white grape is also grown in most of the same cold climates riesling is. Its dramatic, unmistakable flavors are often compared to lychee nuts, peaches, apricots and occasionally, cold cream.
Common Descriptors:
lychee nut, floral, perfume
What is “Grenache” (greh-NAASH) ?
This sun-worshiping grape gets ripe and loves hot, dry weather. Popular in Spain (called Garnacha), Australia and the southern Rhone region of France, Grenache is the primary grape in regions such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, and Priorat. It’s often tamed by less fleshy, more structured grapes like Syrah, Mourvedre or Tempranillo – Grenache is the “G” in GSM blends of Australia. Also, because of its thin skins and high ripeness level, Grenache is ideal for producing delicious yet dry rose wines.
Common Descriptors:
jammy, alcoholic, spice, black currant, dried red and black fruits, pepper, earth, fleshy
What is “Merlot” (mehr-LOW) ?
The most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, merlot, a red grape, is also grown in most of the same places as cabernet sauvignon. And in fact, the two are often blended. Because merlot in general has somewhat less tannin than cabernet sauvignon, it often feels softer on the palate. Its flavors often run to mocha and boysenberry.
Common Descriptors:
plum, cherry, blackberry, spice, raspberry
What is “Petite Syrah” (peh-TEET seer) ?
There is nothing petite about this grape. Petite Sirah, a child of Syrah and Peloursin, is also known as Durif. Being the father, Syrah imparted some of its flavors and characteristics to its offspring, but the two grapes are decisively different. Petite Sirah is mostly found in California, where it is used as a blending partner, and more recently, a single varietal.
Common Descriptors:
Inky, peppery, prunes, black fruit, leather
What is “Pinot Gris / Grigio” (PEE-noh gree/GREE-jee-oh) ?
Pinot grigio loves cold climates. The most renowned pinot grigios come from the northernmost regions of Italy, especially those regions that border the Alps, as well as Alsace, where it is known as pinot gris or, confusingly, as “tokay.” In the U.S., Oregon is emerging as the top state for delicious lively pinot gris’ with light almond, lemon and vanilla flavors.
Common Descriptors:
peach, pear, floral, citrus
What is “Pinot Noir” (PEE-noh nwahr)?
One of the most renowned red grapes in the world for its supple silky texture and mesmerizingly earthy flavors. Pinot noir, like riesling, requires a cold climate and in fact, its ancestral home is the cool Burgundy region of France. Pinot Noir is a finicky grape. It only grows in the right climate, with the right soils and the right care. Perhaps because it is so difficult is why it is so loved. The grape is also grown in Oregon and California, but rarely elsewhere. Pinot Noir produces an amazing contradiction in wine – something so delicate and subtle, yet powerful and mesmerizing.
What is “Riesling” (REEZ-leeng) ?
The renowned white grape of Germany, Austria and the Alsace region of France, though it is also popular in Washington state, New York state, and certain parts of California and Australia. The grape loves to grow in cold climates and when it does, it can exhibit exquisite delicacy and elegance with light peachy/minerally flavors.
Common Descriptors:
steely, peach, mineral, floral, petrol, orange blossom, citrus
What is “Sauvignon Blanc” (so-veen-YAWN blahnk) ?
One of the most distinctive grapes, Sauvignon Blanc is a highly aromatic variety that does well in both the old and new world. From the Loire Valley of France to Marlborough in New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc has found many regions that bring out its unique and delicious flavors. Its wonderfully wild, untamed flavors are often reminiscent of grass, herbs, green tea and limes, often overlaid with a smokiness. In California, sauvignon blanc can also take on green fig and white melon flavors.
What is “Syrah” or “Shiraz” (seh-RAH/shee-RAHZ) ?
Syrah and Shiraz – same grape, different name. It’s a popular and adept variety, growing in multiple regions and creating many different styles of wine. The home base of Syrah is the Northern Rhone, where it creates the exclusive wines of Hermitage and Cote Rotie. On the less pricy side, the Rhone makes Syrah-based wines in Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas and St. Joseph. Syrah made a big splash in Australia, where it’s called Shiraz and reigns as the most planted grape of the country. Washington State, Southern and Central California, South Africa and South America are also making wines from Syrah that have substance and style.
Common Descriptors:
pepper, jam, meat, smoke
The much loved red grape of California, zinfandel is grown almost no place else in the world. In fact, its history is still a mystery, though scientists think that the grape may be related to a Croatian grape. Zinfandel has a mouthfilling, thick berryness that is sometimes described as being jammy or chewy. White zinfandel (not a separate grape variety) is made when zinfandel grapes are fermented without their dark purple skins.
What is “White Zinfandel” (ZIN-fahn-dell) ?
White Zinfandel – light-bodied, delicious, fruity – perfect for summer gatherings. It is produced from the Zinfandel grape. The white juice is left in contact with the red skin of the grape for a short period of time, giving it a “blush” color.
Both are made from the Zinfandel grape, a dark skinned grape. Zinfandel gets its red color from being fermented with the grape skins. White Zinfandel is not fermented with the grape skins, but has enough contact with the skins before fermentation to gain its pink color.
(Compiled from different sources.)
