Types of Wine
VARIETALS
WHITES
Viognier: Once considered a rare varietal, viognier has increased in production and popularity recently. The viognier is one of the major white grapes from the Rhone Valley in France. The viognier is less full-bodied than chardonnay but more full than other white varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Blanc.
Bacchus - named for the Greek God of Wine and Debauchery. The bacchus is a white most commonly grown in Germany and other colder climates. Some bacchus wines can display strong quality flavours.
Chenin Blanc: One of the most widely planted grapes in the Loire Valley. It is now grown all around the world. Flavour is often described with elements of guava, honey, quince or floral fruitiness. Can range from dry to sweet.
Chardonnay - A very full white wine with an affinity to oak. Aging it in oak barrels gives a a more complex taste and texture. Chardonnay’s origin is from Burgandy in France, and is grown in most wine producing areas around the world. It is a versatile plant that can grow in many different climates. It is generally dry as opposed to sweet and fairly full-bodied for a white.
Gewurtztraminer – This white grape is known for its production in Alsace, France. It grows best in cooler climates. Generally sweet, but styles vary from dry to extremely sweet. A very aromatic wine, often smelling of flowers, spice and fruit.
Riesling - A white grape variety that originates from the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is the most common wine grown in Germany. It generally displays flowery aromas and a high acidity. Although most well-known for being grown in Germany, riesling is produced all over the world, including in France, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Riesling wines can range from being extremely sweet to very dry, so it is important to be aware of the specific wine before making assumptions on the flavour.
Semillon - Semillon grapes are white wine grapes that were grown in the Bordeaux region of France. Quality Semillon are also grown in the Hunter Valley of Australia. Both areas have high levels of humidity. Semillon often has a nutty flavour, which sometimes is from aging in oak. Also can have velvety, textured flavours. Semillon is known for having strong acidity and can be either sweet or dry.
Sauvignon Blanc - A white wine originating in the Bordeaux region of France. One of only 4 varietals allowed to be used in a white Bordeaux. Sauvignon Blanc is grown all around the world. New Zealand and Australia make particularly good ‘New World’ Sauvignon Blancs. It is generally a crisp, dry and refreshing white. It goes well with fish, goat’s cheese and sushi. It is rarely oaked and doesn’t benefit greatly from aging.
REDS
Meritage - A wine produced in the Bordeaux style (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, as well as Camernere, Malbec and Petit Verdot) outside of the Bordeaux region. You can’t produce a Bordeaux in California, you produce a ‘Meritage’.
Barbera - The second most planted variety in Italy. Usually has deep colour, low tannins and high acidity. The wines have full-fruit flavours (red and black) and some more tannic barberas will age well.
Cabernet Sauvignon – Perhaps the most popular or successful red wine varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon is the major grape used in Bordeaux wines and the most successful red varietal grown in California. These two factors alone give it the esteem it holds. Often referred to as a Cab, Cab Sauv, or even Cab Sav, it is most often a full-bodied, dry red with lots of depth. Cabernet Sauvignon is often described by the aromas and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, tobacco, bell peppers and eucalyptus.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It is often oaked (kept in barrels) before it is bottled and distributed.
Carmenere – A medium-bodied red wine varietal, originally planted in the Bordeaux region of France. It is used as a small percentage participant in some Bordeaux wines. Chile is now the largest producer of Carmenere. It was once known as Grande Vidure. This grape originated in Iberia.
Cabernet Franc – A red wine, somewhat lighter than a Cabernet Sauvignon. It is used to blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in the production of Bordeaux wines. Its aroma and flavours are often described as peppery, tobacco, cassis and raspberry. It grows in cool to warm climates.
Gamay - The grape of the Beaujolais area and wines of France. It is often labeled as Gamay Noir. Gamay dates back to the 1400s. Gamay wines are typically light-medium bodied and fruity.
Grenache - Perhaps the most widely planted variety of red wine in the world.
Pinot Noir – Originally famous and produced in the Burgandy region of France. The Pinot grape was made famous recently by the movie Sideways which detailed a roadtrip to the Santa Barbara Wine Country known for its Pinots. Pinot Noir is generally a light red wine. It may be effective for those trying to bridge the gap from white wine to red wine. Pinots can be relatively expensive as the grape is difficult to grow.
Merlot: A red wine softer than Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is used as a major varietal in Bordeaux wines. It is also a popular varietal on its own. Merlots are generally relatively full-bodied and display more red fruit flavours than other varietals.
Malbec – Originally a French red wine grown in the Bordeaux region and used for blending. It is a very popular varietal in Argentina right now. Argentinian Malbecs show that the varietal has the quality and dynamic flavours to stand on its own. It needs substantial amounts of heat to grow. It has a deep red to purple colour and has high levels of tannins. It is also called Auxerrois in France. Malbec is one of the varietals with the highest levels of oligomeric procyandins (OPS), which may be responsible for the health benefits of drinking red wine.
Pinotage - Famous as South Africa’s flagship varietal. Known to grow in hot, dry climates. Pinot Noir was crossed with and Cinsault to make Pinotage. Pinotage is a lighter red wine with a spicy, pepper, plum-like taste.
Sangiovese - This grape is mostly associated with Tuscany as Tuscan wines and Chiantis are produced mainly, and sometimes exclusively with Sangiovese grapes. Predominant flavours of cherry and plum. Can range from lighter, ready to drink wines to more full-bodied wines.
Shiraz - Hey Aussies! Check out the definition for Syrah. Interestingly Shiraz is a major city in Iran, close in proximity to the origins of wine.
Syrah - Syrah is a grape most noted for full fruit flavours with spicy or peppery overtones. Often full-bodied and tannic. Grows well in warm and hot climates. Syrah was originally grown in France, and now grown in other areas, most notably as Australia’s grape labeled Shiraz.
Auxerrois – see Malbec
Zinfandel: The Zinfandel variety has become California’s ‘grape’. In the early years of California wine making, Zinfandel was used to make ‘jug’ or generic wine. Recently, however, many vineyards in California produce high quality Zinfandels. Zinfandels also have a wide variety of flavours. Zinfandel can range from light and fruity to dark, full and spicy.
REGIONAL ( Old World Wines are generally labeled by the region as they are regional blends of different grapes. They have been grown according to laws and traditions of those regions.)
FRANCE
Chablis – French Chablis is a white wine, made entirely of Chardonnay grapes in the Chablis area of France, which is the Northernmost area of Burgandy. Chablis can be designated (from lowest to highest quality) as Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru.
*Important to note that Chablis also became the term for really crappy, mass-produced white wines, so beware, real Chablis must come the Chablis area of France.
Sauternes – Sauternes is a French white wine known for its sweetness. Sauternes is made with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Winemakers wait for ‘Noble Rot’ to form which increases the sweetness of the wine. Sauternes is an area within the Bordeaux region of France.
Bordeaux – The Bordeaux wines are named for a region of France. It is a red wine which must be created from a blend of grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are the major players, and three lesser known grapes Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec (a popular variety in Argentina). Hockey fans, these varietals are also known as the ‘original six’. Some of the most expensive wines in the world are Bordeaux. High Quality Bordeaux are usually labeled with a region and a ‘Chateau’, which simply designates the vineyard where it was produced. Medoc is the major area of Bordeaux. Wines produced in the Bordeaux style outside of Bordeaux are designated as ‘Meritage’.
ITALY
Chianti - Chianti is the local wine of the Chianti region in Tuscany. It must be produced from at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. Many chiantis are produced from 100% sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classico is chianti that is produced in the original chianti region (a smaller region than exists now). Chianti Classico Reserva is Chianti Classico made with strict restrictions on aging and oaking according to the DOCG regulations.
Barbaresco - An Italian wine native to the Piemonte area (Piedmont). Barberra is made with the Nebbiolo grape variety much like the Barolo. Barbaresco wines age well and must be aged at least two years, one in oak. The Barbaresco tends to be light in body and colour but not lacking in taste and structure.
Barolo - An Italian wine native to the Piemonte area (Piedmont). Barolo is made with the Nebbiolo grape variety. It is a complex wine that ages well. It tends to be tannic and benefits from the aging. Barolos aged for five years can be classified as ‘Riserva’. Barolo producers have made changes in the production recently and traditionalists have argued this has distorted the taste of the wine. Something to think about when tasting a Barolo.
Amarone - Traditionally, a labour intensive wine from the Verona area of Italy. Amarone means ‘big bitter’ and this is mostly due to the strict rules regarding the care for the skins of the grapes which carry the bulk of the tannins. The wine is generally full bodied, low acid and complex tannins. These wines are generally aged for at least five years.
