BASIC GRAPE
INFORMATION
RED
GRAPE VARIETALS
Labeling the wines
according to their varietals helps the consumer know what to expect when they
select a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel. For a U.S. wine label to bear the
name of the variety, it must be made with no less that 75% of that grape variety
in the total blend.
CABERNET
SAUVIGNON
(cab-er-NAY soh-veen-YOHN) A primary grape variety grown throughout the world
also one of the most important of several grape varieties used in red wine
blends such as Meritage. The flavors of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape include
Blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, bell pepper, eucalyptus, mint, black
olive, green olive, earth, mushroom, chocolate, cocoa, molasses, smoke, plum,
cedar, tobacco, licorice, graphite. Depending on the vintage, good Cabernet
Sauvignon can age for decades.
MERLOT
(merh-LOH) Is extensively grown throughout the world. High-quality Merlot wines
are medium to dark red in color, rich, and fruity. The flavors of the Merlot
grape are of black currant, cherry, and mint. Merlot wines are rounder and more
supple than Cabernet Sauvignons and usually can be enjoyed much earlier.
PINOT
NOIR (PEE-noh-NWAHR)
Is a grape variety that is very difficult to grow in the United States. It is
widely grown in the region of Burgundy, France. The flavors are Cherry,
raspberry, strawberry, prune, plum, pomegranate, coffee, spice, coriander,
ginger, cloves, cinnamon, earth, smoke, mushroom, "barnyard", caramel, allspice,
violets, lavender, jasmine, cocoa, sausage, citrus.
ZINFANDEL
(ZIN-fan-del) Is considered California's red-wine grape. The flavors are
Blackberry, raspberry, jam, cherry, port, plum, chocolate, olive, bell pepper,
cloves, black pepper, spice.
SANGIOVESE
(SAN-gee-oh-VAY-SEE)
Cherry, raspberry, red plum, blackberry, cinnamon, dried flowers, vanilla,
pepper, truffle, smoke, chamomile, rose petal, tar, coffee, anise.
SYRAH
(see-RAH) Blackberry, black currant (cassis), black raspberry, black plum, white
pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, anise, prune, oak, soy, chocolate, smoke,
sausage, toast, violets
CABERNET
FRANC (KA-behr-nay
Frank) This grape is related to Cabernet Sauvignon, with more fruit-basket style
fruit and less tannin. Less long-lived than its cousin, Cabernet Franc brings an
herbal note ranging from slightly tobacco-flavored to pungently leafy. Used in
Bordeaux, especially in Pomerol, but important in the Médoc as a blender. 100%
Cabernet Franc wines are offered elsewhere in the world, notably in the
Loire
Valley where Chinon is the pinnacle.
GAMAY
(GAH-may) Raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, cloves, rose petal, jasmine, violets,
cranberry, mineral.
BORDEAUX
BLENDS (borh-DOH)
The red wines of Bordeaux, all made of a blend from three and sometimes five
permitted red grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec
and Petit Verdot. The best red Bordeaux wines are slow to mature and need
several years in the bottle to age gracefully.
BARBARESCO
(bar-bah-RESS-koh) A wine from the village of Barbaresco, made from the Nebbiolo
grape. This wine must be aged for two years, one year in wood. The Barbaresco
Riserva must be aged for three years, one year in wood. These wines have rich,
spicy flavors with notes of cherry, tar and perfume.
BAROLO
(Ba-roll-lo) Outstanding red wine from the district of Piemonte in Northern
Italy. Produced from the Nebbiolo grape. A robust red wine that can age for many
years. By D. O. C. law Barolo must be aged in wood for a minimum of two years,
if aged four or more years in wood it is allowed to be called Riserva.
BRUNELLO
(Brew-nel-lo
dee Mawn-tal-chee-no) This is a rare red wine from the district of Tuscany.
Named for the Brunello grape, a clone of the Sangiovese grape. By law the wine
cannot be sold until it is at least four years old, if aged five or more years
it may be sold as a Riserva. The flavors are sweet cherry with leather tones.
GRENACHE
(gren-osh) Grenache's roots are in Spain, where it is called Garnacha, but it is
planted throughout southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon,
Provence,
and the Southern Rhône regions, where it's blended with Cinsault and Carignan.
It is the backbone of the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where it is blended with as
many as twelve other grapes.
WHITE GRAPE VARIETALS
Labeling the wines
according to their varietals helps the consumer know what to expect when they
select a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc. For a U.S. wine label to bear the name
of the variety, it must be made with no less that 75% of that grape variety in
the total blend.
CHARDONNAY (shar-don-NAY)
Chardonnay that is being extensively planted throughout the world. In addition
to being highly prized, Chardonnay is easy to grow and quite versatile. It's
high in extract and, unless picked late, has good acid levels. Chardonnay is
offered in the New World (outside western Europe) as big, creamy and juicy with
copious amounts of oak. In Burgundy, it is more complex and long-lived, with
less tropical and more mineral and apple flavors reflecting the cooler climate.
The wide range of growing soils, as well as the winemaker's influence, produces
a diverse spectrum of Chardonnay wines with varying characteristics.
SAUVIGNON
BLANC (SOH-ven-yawn
BLANC) Sauvignon Blanc wines have noticeable acidity and a grassy, herbaceous
aroma and flavor. They are crisp, flavorful wines that generally should be drunk
young.
GEWURZTRAMINER
(guh-VURTZ-trah-mee-ner) A friendly and willing grape of the Muscat family with
rich, pungent character and a nose like roses and a can of lychee nuts. It is
good in Germany and Italy; great in Alsace where even when dry, it is so pungent
it seems best with dessert. Good versions exist in the New World.
PINOT
GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO
(PEE-noh-GREE) This pleasant and tasty grape offers good drinkability in Italy,
where it is commonly referred to as Pinot Grigio, Germany and the New World, but
reaches its greatest heights in Alsace. It can taste of cream and apples and
exists in well-made versions both sweet and dry.
RIESLING
(REESe-ling) One of the world's greatest grapes, Riesling was treated with the
respect it deserved 100 years ago when its finest bottlings routinely were bid
for higher prices that Lafite or Latour. Grown throughout the world with mixed
results, America offers decent versions and Australia gives the most credible of
the New World offerings. Alsace offers the finest outside of Germany, with
higher, more obtrusive alcohol levels. All of
Germany's
great wines (except a tiny portion) are from Riesling. This grape is rich and
crisp when young, but can age for ten to fifty years and beyond, depending upon
the winemaking style.
VIOGNIER
(vee-ohn-YEA) A rare but cultish grape originating in Condrieu in the northern
Rhone Valley. It is now being rapidly planted in California where it yields good
examples showing pungent Gewurz-like notes and rich Chardonnay-like flavors.
