The main grape varieties

The Main Grape Varieties

This lesson is an overview of all the main grape varieties and their characteristics – you'll likely be familiar with a few, and will perhaps recognise a lot of the names from wine labels. Alongside these, I'll be suggesting a few lesser-known alternatives to try.

Red Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

• One of the main black grape varieties and grown fairly easily all over the world, from Chile to South Africa to Australia.
• Made famous by the wines of Bordeaux; it thrives in the gravel soils on the Left Bank in Bordeaux.
• The grape has a distinctive black fruit character of cassis and blackcurrant and good tannins.

You could also try: Carménère - also a grape that's typically planted in Bordeaux, but has recently thrived in Chile too. Makes for a robust red that's perfect for drinking by the fireside.

Merlot

• A black grape that's quite soft and fleshy, and tastes quite plum-like in flavour.
• It loves to be combined with other grapes, especially Cabernet, and brings a jammy softness to other more structured varieties.
• If you do want to try Merlot on its own, look to Chile and specifically the Colchagua Valley for a gorgeous chocolatey wine.

You could also try: Grenache - particularly good from the Rhône Valley in Southern France and also loves to be grown in South Africa and Australia. Still soft like a Merlot, with a hint of raspberry.

Pinot Noir

• A thin-skinned black grape with a little less tannin, and produces wines that are lighter in colour with a subtle flavour. Can have an almost ethereal quality, with a savoury character.
• Can change quite dramatically over time, with a young Pinot Noir tasting very different to one that has aged.
• Made famous by the Burgundy region, these wines are extremely sought after and can be quite expensive. For a cheaper Pinot Noir, try Chile, South Africa or the Yarra Valley in Australia. The secret to good Pinot Noir is a cool climate.

You could also try: Sangiovese - used in many great Tuscan wines, and has a real cherry pop to it. A good amount of tannin and grip, while still offering freshness too.

Syrah (Shiraz)

• The name Syrah is used when this black grape is grown in France, and Shiraz when grown in Australia or elsewhere. A big grape that produces lots of rich black fruit flavours, often with a peppery kick.
• Syrah is used in the famous wines of France's Northern Rhône, as well as being grown widely in Southern Rhône, where it's put together with other grapes.
• Shiraz loves the soil in Australia's Barossa Valley. It produces rich, bold wines with juicy tannins.

You could also try: Primitivo (also known as Zinfandel) - grown widely across Southern Italy, and has lots of juicy dark fruit with a nice grip from the tannins, perfect for enjoying with hearty stews.

Tempranillo

• A black grape that comes mainly from Rioja, Spain, as it thrives in the climate and soil there.
• It loves to be aged in an oak barrel, which gives a nice weight to its juicy, red fruitiness as well as a bit of spice.

You could also try: Malbec - a simpler take on this particular style. Originally from Bordeaux in France, but more recently thriving in Argentina, which brings out a vibrancy and ripeness for a really warming flavour.

White Wine

Chardonnay

• A white grape which is fairly easy to grow all over the world. There isn't one easy way to describe its taste, as it really soaks up its surroundings and can vary hugely in flavour.
• The winemaker can also have a huge influence on this grape; an unoaked wine made in a cool climate will taste wildly different to a wine made in a sunny region.
• For a cool, crisp take on Chardonnay you can opt for a Chablis. If you want a richer style of Chardonnay, look to California or warm regions in Australia.

You could also try: Chenin Blanc - this is a great one to try if you like Chardonnay that's full of juicy fruit. A favourite of mine is Chenin Blanc from older vines in South Africa.

Sauvignon Blanc

• A classic white grape, made famous by the wines from Sancerre in the Loire Valley. Wherever you plant Sauvignon Blanc, it will always have its trademark aromatic quality. The flavour is bright and lemony with hints of gooseberry.
• New Zealand really put Sauvignon Blanc on the map in the late 1980s, creating some of the most aromatic and pungent wines of the time.
• Nowadays, they tend to be a little more subtle and ultimately more drinkable – look for wines from the cool coast of Chile or South Africa.

You could also try: Verdejo - from the Rueda region of Spain; similar aromatic quality but with a herbal edge. Or Assyrtiko - from Santorini in Greece; same fresh hit with expressive flavours.

Pinot Grigio

• This grape provides a clean, fresh white wine to enjoy with both salty snacks and a hearty plate of food. Uncomplicated flavours, yet still delicious if you find a good one.
• Mostly grown in Northern Italy, the slightly cooler climate offers a very drinkable freshness.
• I try to encourage people not to get stuck on Pinot Grigio, as if you go further down in Southern Italy, you'll find many other grapes to try with lots of flavour that still make for easy drinking, fresh whites.

You could also try: Pecorino, Falanghina or Grechetto - all great white grapes to try from Southern Italy.

Viognier

• A white grape that's become synonymous with the Rhône Valley, Viognier makes fairly big wines. It produces big and bold tropical fruit flavours, with quite a high alcohol content too. Definitely recommended to enjoy with food.
• For a lighter take on Viognier, you can go further south to the Languedoc region in France or Chile.

You could also try: Riesling - still with the same sunshine flavours, but just a little more subtle. Germany makes some amazing Riesling that combines both fruit and freshness. Just like Viognier, Riesling is also a fantastic food wine.

Romania

The climate and growing conditions really suit the Pinot Noir grape. The wine produced is perhaps a simpler take than you might be used to, but still retains a lovely light juiciness – and is relatively inexpensive.

Austria

Home to some of the most expressive grape varieties, such as the white grape Grüner Veltliner for a hit of peach and pepper, or the black grape Zweigelt, which produces a slightly lighter red wine - perfect if you don't like your flavours too big.

Your Assignment

Take a wine that you're familiar with and taste it alongside one of the recommendations for something a little different. Can you taste the impact of a hotter or cooler climate? Can you detect the grape has been grown on older vines, or has the wine perhaps been left to age for longer? Note down any key differences, and think about what you prefer too!