The wine-producing vine, as we know it, or 'vitis vinifera' to give it its botanical family name, will produce and ripen fruit throughout the mainly temperate regions of the world. Broadly speaking this area lies between 30° and 50° North and 30° and 50° South of the equator. Outside these latitudes it is either too cool - grapes will not ripen fully, or too hot - grapes ripen too early with low acidity and high alcohol.
In more marginal regions where heat is great, altitude and ocean influences can have a cooling effect and likewise in some of the cooler regions, south facing slopes and proximity to water can maximise the vine's exposure to the sun. These factors are known as microclimates and can greatly influence the location of a vineyard site and the choice of variety planted.
As a general rule, grapes need a minimum of 1500 hours of sunshine to ripen fully, red more so than white, which is why you will see more white grapes planted in cooler regions such as Germany and New Zealand.
The trend towards selling varietal wines continues unabated with many countries now labelling at least some of their wines as 'Merlot', 'Chardonnay', 'Riesling' etc. Many top quality wines however, are not permitted to use varietal names because of the 'cépage' (grape mix) required by law. Red Bordeaux wines, for example, are a blend of often four different grapes including, but not exclusively, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Other equally fine wines such as red and white Burgundy are made from single grape varieties but choose, for marketing and historical reasons, to use their regional appellations.
Many people have enjoyed an excellent Barolo or a Chianti but have never heard of Nebbiolo or Sangiovese. Others may enjoy a nice bottle of Chablis and not realise that it is 100 per cent Chardonnay. Our varietal index is designed to tell you a little about the most popular grape varieties and to lead you to wines that include, even in part, those grapes. We hope you find this format useful.
Airen The most widely grown white grape in Spain, where it accounts for over 30 per cent of Spanish wine production primarily in the central 'La Mancha' region. Used not only for producing varietal whites but also as a blending grape for the more beefy reds of the Valdepenas region.
Aligoté The second white grape of Burgundy and very much the 'poor relation' of Chardonnay. Originally used as a blending wine with Chardonnay, it is now producing some interesting varietal wines thanks to stainless steel fermentation and modern vinification methods. Somewhat tart and acidic, it is considered the ideal base wine for the French aperitif, Kir.
Baga Widely planted red grape of Portugal notably in the Bairrada region. It gives dense colour and extract, is thick skinned and prolific. Not noted for fine wine production.
Barbera Italy's most common red grape originally from the Piedmont region of the NorthWest but now grown throughout the South. Has grown in popularity outside Italy notably in California and Argentina. Vigorous, high yielding grape that grows well in poor soils. Produces wines of good extract and colour without the harsh tannins of its neighbour, Nebbiolo.
Cabernet Franc One of the principal red grapes of Bordeaux, particularly St-Emilion, and also the dominant red varietal of the Loire Valley. Generally more stalky and greener than its noble partner Cabernet Sauvignon, it performs well in cooler regions, is resistant to disease and survives well in heavier clay soils. It provides a useful 'insurance policy' for the Bordelaise vignerons in cooler vintages. It is the primary varietal in the top Premier Grand Cru Classé, St-Emilion - 'Château Cheval Blanc. Now planted throughout Italy and in Chile as well as Australia's Clare Valley.
Cabernet Sauvignon The classic grape of Bordeaux and the dominant variety in all the top growths of the Medoc. A most fashionable varietal, sought the world over and synonymous with rich blackcurrant concentration, cassis and cedarwood. It is a small grape, giving very deep colour and extract, quite resistant to disease and capable of producing wines of great longevity, elegance and structure. It is grown throughout the winemaking world as both a single varietal and a blending grape, where it imparts a classic quality to many local indigenous varieties. It has been particularly successful in Australia, California and South America where the long, warm ripening season and diverse soils realise the grape's true potentials. It has a natural affinity with oak, which imparts the wonderful cedar and 'cigar box' attributes for which the grape is famous.
Carignan Most popular red grape variety grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon* region of France. Used as a blend, where it can account for as much as 60% of the cépage, it is late ripening, resistant to spring frosts, tolerant of heat and gives high tannin, extract and colour. Now popular in California and South America as well as Northern Spain, where it is known as 'Cariñena'.
Chardonnay The classic white varietal of Burgundy and perhaps the best known and loved white varietal in the world. It is vigorous, easy to grow but susceptible to spring frosts as witnessed regularly by the vigernons of Chablis. It grows well in cooler climates but can lose acidity if picked late, especially in warmer regions such as Australia and California. Its typical varietal characteristics are honeyed, tropical fruit flavours with toasty, buttery nuances. It ages well and is totally at home with oak, which imparts those delicious vanilla and butterscotch tones so beloved of Burgundy drinkers. Its diversity of style can perhaps account for some of its worldwide appeal.
Chenin Blanc Classic white varietal of France's Loire Valley and now grown throughout the world. Known for its rather unusual 'wet-wool', 'damp straw' aromas, it tends to be more floral than fruity when young and gives high acidity, growing well in marginal climates. It ages well and its susceptibility to 'botrytis'* produces some of the great sweet wines of the Loire, for example Quarts de Chaume and Vouvray. It is grown widely in South Africa where it is known as 'Steen'.
Cinsaut Sometimes spelt Cinsault, this red variety is a popular constituent of the wines of Southern France, notably Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Midi. It is an early ripener, gives intense colour and flavour and can withstand very hot climates. It is one of the blending grapes of the South African 'Pinotage' where it is known as 'Hermitage' after the Northern Rhône region - why? nobody knows, as Cinsaut is neither used nor permitted in this region of France.
Dolcetto Italian red grape from the Piedmont area of the North West. Produces soft varietal wines for early drinking. Gives lots of up front fruit with soft tannins with a style not unlike the Gamay of Beaujolais.
Gamay The red grape of Beaujolais. Vinified by a process known as 'macération carbonique'* if produces light, fruit driven wines for early consumption. At home in the granite hills of Beaujolais it is a vigorous producer but susceptible to rot. Sometimes blended with Pinot Noir under the appellation 'Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains'. Also grown quite extensively in the Loire Valley notably in Touraine.
Gewurztraminer Difficult to pronounce, the 'gewurzt' means 'spice' in German, it is also one of the easier varietals to recognise because of its distinct perfumed aroma, likened to rose petals and lychees. Best known in the wines of Alsace where it is designated a 'noble' grape and a permitted variety for the Grand Crus. It produces very aromatic wines with up to 14% alcohol and can be an excellent companion to oriental cuisine.
Grenache Thought to have originated in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha, this is a hot climate red grape ideally suited to the Languedoc region of France and the Navarra region of Spain. It is primarily a blending grape, thin skinned, so giving lighter colour. It is often used to add subtlety to the more beefy southern reds. Has become very popular in California and Australia where it can be seen as a single varietal.
Lambrusco Famous for the 'frizzante', semi sweet wines found in 1 litre screw cap bottles, this grape originates near Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Central Italy. Much maligned by 'serious' wine drinkers, it produces a fresh, semi sweet, fruit driven wine usually low in alcohol and quite inexpensive. Very popular in the United States.
Malbec This red grape accounted for the famous 'black wine' of Cahors where it is known as the 'Cot' and the 'Auxerrois', and just to confuse matters further, when grown in St. Emilion, it is known as the 'Pressac'. A small, dark, thick-skinned grape, it gives intense colour, big tannins and lots of structure to the wines and is generally blended with a little Merlot for subtlety. Has become very popular in Argentina where it adapts well to the hot climate.
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