Wine Grape Profiles

Greece's noble red grape, known as 'St. George' in English. Nemea's flagship variety producing deeply colored wines with distinctive spice and herb complexity. Often called the 'noble grape of Greece' for its ability to create both everyday wines and age-worthy premium expressions.

Ancient noble grape from volcanic soils of southern Italy, producing age-worthy wines.

Spain's most planted white grape, producing simple, light wines in hot La Mancha.

Albariño wine is a refreshing coastal white from the Iberian Peninsula, loved for its rich stone fruit flavors, hint of salinity, and zippy acidity.

Rare teinturier grape with both red skin and red flesh, created by Henri Bouschet.

Burgundy's "other" white grape, light and citrusy, traditional base for Kir cocktail.

Greece's most important white grape producing intensely mineral wines from volcanic Santorini. Known for extraordinary acidity, salinity, and aging potential in one of the world's most extreme vineyard environments.

Portugal's most tannic grape producing powerful, age-worthy wines from Bairrada.

Piedmont's versatile workhorse grape, producing bright, food-friendly wines with vibrant acidity and soft tannins. Known as Italy's 'everyday wine' that punches above its weight when treated seriously. Exceptional with tomato-based dishes and regional Italian cuisine, showcasing pure fruit character with minimal oak interference.

Austria's signature red with rich black fruit contrasted by peppery flavors and boisterous acidity.

Spanish indigenous grape producing rustic, food-friendly wines with Mediterranean character.

Argentina's everyday red producing approachable wines with dark fruit and spice.

Sweet, low-alcohol sparkling red from Piedmont with strawberry and rose aromatics.

Herbal red grape with green bell pepper character, parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The world's most planted red wine grape, producing full-bodied wines with distinctive cassis flavors and firm tannins. Bordeaux's Left Bank champion, now grown globally with exceptional results in Napa Valley, Coonawarra, and Maipo Valley.

Southern France and Catalonia's traditional workhorse grape, now experiencing quality renaissance. Known for high acidity, firm tannins, and excellent aging potential from old vines. Modern winemaking has revealed its potential for serious, terroir-driven expressions.

California heritage grape producing rustic, high-acid wines, especially from old vines.

Chile's signature red grape, originally from Bordeaux but nearly extinct in France. Known for distinctive green bell pepper character when underripe, but producing complex, full-bodied wines with proper ripeness. Colchagua Valley's champion variety, offering unique spice character and excellent food-pairing versatility.

The world's most popular white wine grape and Burgundy's white wine champion. Exceptionally versatile, expressing terroir from mineral-driven Chablis to rich, buttery Côte de Beaune. Produces outstanding wines globally, from cool-climate Sonoma Coast to warm-climate Margaret River.

Switzerland's most planted white grape producing light, simple wines with mineral character.

Loire Valley's most versatile white grape, capable of producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines. Known for brilliant acidity, honeyed character, and remarkable aging potential. Vouvray's champion variety creating complex expressions that improve for decades in the cellar.

Southern France's rosé specialist and key component in Provence blends. Known for pale color, delicate fruit character, and food-friendly acidity. Produces elegant rosés with remarkable finesse and is experiencing renewed interest for light red expressions.

Light-bodied Piedmontese white famous as the grape of Gavi, with high acidity.

Veneto's noble grape and the backbone of Amarone and Valpolicella wines. Known for its thick skin and ability to undergo appassimento (drying process) for concentrated dessert-style wines. Produces elegant, cherry-driven wines with distinctive almond finish and remarkable aging potential in premium expressions.

Piedmont's 'little sweet one' - though the wines are dry, the name reflects the grape's low acidity and approachable character. Produces deeply colored, soft wines meant for early consumption. Alba's traditional everyday red wine, offering immediate pleasure with moderate tannins and charming fruit-forward personality.

Campania's rediscovered ancient white grape, mentioned by Pliny the Elder. Known for bright acidity, mineral character, and distinctive pear and apple notes. Modern winemaking has transformed this once-forgotten variety into a premium expression of southern Italian terroir.

Campania's ancient white grape, cultivated since Roman times. Known for distinctive mineral character with notes of honey, nuts, and Mediterranean herbs. Avellino's flagship variety producing complex, age-worthy wines with remarkable texture and food-pairing versatility.

Light, floral Sicilian red often blended with Nero d'Avola in Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

Beaujolais's signature grape producing some of France's most food-friendly reds. Known for bright acidity, low tannins, and exuberant fruit character. Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent produce serious, age-worthy expressions that rival Burgundy's complexity while maintaining Gamay's essential charm.

The principal grape of Soave, producing elegant, floral wines with almond character.

Alsace's most aromatic white grape, producing intensely perfumed wines with distinctive lychee and rose petal character. The name means 'spiced traminer,' reflecting its exotic spice-driven aromatics. Exceptional in late-harvest dessert styles and as a food-pairing wine with spicy Asian cuisine and aromatic cheeses.

Veneto's sparkling wine specialty from the Glera grape. Known for delicate bubbles, fresh fruit character, and remarkable food-pairing versatility. Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene DOCG produces the finest expressions with distinctive mineral character and elegant persistence.

Atlantic-influenced Spanish white with mineral character and fresh acidity from Galicia.

Rare Spanish grape used in Rioja blends for color and acidity, with floral character.

Ancient Greek variety producing full-bodied, complex whites in southern Italy.

The world's second most planted red grape, thriving in hot, dry climates from Spain's Priorat to France's Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Known for generous fruit, moderate tannins, and high alcohol potential. Essential in GSM blends and capable of producing everything from rosé to powerful, age-worthy reds with distinctive garrigue herb complexity.

Austria's signature white grape with distinctive white pepper spice and high acidity.

Dark, full-bodied red from Alto Adige with intense color and Alpine character.

Same grape as Blaufränkisch, grown in Washington State with food-friendly character.

Argentina's signature grape producing inky, full-bodied wines with dark fruit and chocolate.

Northern Rhône's principal white grape partnered with Roussanne in Hermitage Blanc. Known for full body, low acidity, and remarkable aging potential. Produces honeyed, nutty wines that develop extraordinary complexity with cellar time.

Spanish indigenous grape from Bierzo producing fresh, mineral wines with Atlantic influence.

Bordeaux's Right Bank star and the world's second most planted red grape. Known for its approachable, velvety texture and plum-forward fruit character. Exceptional in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, with outstanding expressions in Washington State and Tuscany.

Spanish name for Mourvèdre, producing powerful, meaty wines in hot climates like Jumilla and Yecla. Known for exceptional concentration, wild herb complexity, and distinctive savory character.

Abruzzo's champion red grape producing deeply colored, robust wines with excellent value. Not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (made from Sangiovese). Known for generous fruit, moderate tannins, and remarkable food-pairing ability with hearty Italian cuisine and grilled meats.

Southern France's sturdy red grape and essential component of GSM blends (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre). Known for dark color, firm tannins, and distinctive gamey, earthy character. Bandol's flagship variety producing age-worthy wines with remarkable complexity and wild herb aromatics.

Loire Valley's seafood wine specialty from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. Known for bone-dry character, crisp acidity, and distinctive mineral finish. Sur lie aging adds texture and complexity to these quintessential oyster wines from France's Atlantic coast.

Piedmont's most noble red grape and one of Italy's greatest varieties. Known for producing Barolo and Barbaresco - wines of extraordinary complexity, power, and aging potential. Requires perfect conditions but rewards with ethereal aromatics of roses, tar, and truffles in legendary expressions.

Puglia's signature red grape, literally meaning 'black and bitter.' Produces full-bodied wines with distinctive earthy character and firm tannins that soften with age. Southern Italy's answer to premium reds, capable of both everyday drinking wines and serious, age-worthy expressions with remarkable terroir expression.

Sicily's most important red grape producing full-bodied wines with dark fruit and Mediterranean character.

Bordeaux's traditional blending grape, now produced as varietal wines worldwide. Known for intense color, firm tannins, and distinctive violet and spice character. Late-ripening variety that adds structure and complexity to blends, with increasing standalone expressions in warmer climates.

California's powerhouse red grape, despite its name not related to Syrah. Known for inky dark color, massive tannins, and incredible aging potential. Produces some of California's most age-worthy wines with intense fruit concentration and distinctive peppery character.

Alsace's rich white grape producing full-bodied wines with distinctive spice character. Known for low acidity, rich texture, and excellent food-pairing ability. Oregon's expressions show more restraint while Italian Pinot Grigio offers lighter, more mineral-driven styles.

Burgundy's noble red grape and one of wine's most expressive varieties. Famous for translating terroir with exceptional clarity, producing elegant wines from cherry-bright to earthily complex. Thrives in cool climates from Côte d'Or to Oregon, Tasmania, and Central Otago.

South Africa's signature red grape, a unique cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault created in 1925. Known for distinctive smoky, earthy character with polarizing 'burnt rubber' aromas that divide wine lovers. Stellenbosch's champion variety producing everything from light, fruity wines to serious, age-worthy expressions.

Puglia's version of Zinfandel, genetically identical but expressing unique Italian character. Known for rich, jammy fruit with higher alcohol and distinctive spice notes. Produces both everyday drinking wines and serious, concentrated expressions from old vines.

Germany's most noble white grape and the world's most versatile variety. Known for producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines with brilliant acidity and remarkable aging potential. Mosel's steep slate vineyards produce ethereal expressions, while Rheingau creates powerful, mineral-driven classics.

Northern Rhône's aromatic white grape and Marsanne's traditional partner. Known for distinctive herbal character, bright acidity, and exceptional aging potential. Produces complex wines with pear, herb, and floral notes that develop beautifully over decades.

Tuscany's king and Italy's most planted red grape. Known for bright acidity, firm tannins, and distinctive cherry character with herbal complexity. Chianti's backbone producing everything from everyday table wines to age-worthy Brunello di Montalcino expressions from the hills of Tuscany.

Loire Valley's signature white grape known for its distinctive herbaceous character and racy acidity. From Sancerre's mineral precision to Marlborough's tropical exuberance, this variety excels in cool climates worldwide, producing wines from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.

Bordeaux's most important white grape and key component of Sauternes. Known for waxy texture, aging potential, and susceptibility to noble rot. Hunter Valley produces distinctive dry expressions while Bordeaux creates legendary sweet wines with Sauvignon Blanc blends.

Northern Rhône's noble grape producing powerful, age-worthy wines with distinctive black pepper spice and smoky minerality. One of the world's great red varieties.

Uruguay's national grape and Southwest France's traditional powerhouse. Known for incredible tannin structure, dark color, and remarkable aging potential. Modern winemaking has tamed this beast while preserving its essential character, creating age-worthy wines with distinctive rustic charm.

Spain's most important red grape and the backbone of Rioja's legendary wines. Known for moderate tannins, bright acidity, and exceptional aging potential in American oak. From everyday Joven styles to Gran Reserva masterpieces, Tempranillo expresses Spain's diverse terroir from Ribera del Duero's power to Rioja's elegance.

Argentina's signature aromatic white grape producing intensely perfumed wines. Known for distinctive Muscat-like aromatics with dry finish and bright acidity. Salta's high-altitude vineyards produce the most elegant expressions with remarkable floral intensity and food-pairing versatility.

Portugal's most prized grape variety, famous for producing both exceptional table wines and Port. Known for intense aromatics combining dark fruit with floral elegance and granite minerality from Douro's terraced vineyards.

Spain's aromatic signature white from Rueda, known for distinctive herbal character and bright citrus flavors with excellent food-pairing versatility.

Sardinia and Liguria's coastal white grape thriving in Mediterranean conditions. Known for crisp acidity, mineral character, and distinctive herbal notes. Produces refreshing wines with excellent seafood pairing ability and remarkable expression of coastal terroir.

Aromatic Rhône white with rich peach and floral character, famous in Condrieu.

Key Cava grape from Catalonia with high acidity and light body, essential for Spanish sparkling.

Northern Greece's most prestigious red grape, literally meaning 'acid-black.' Naoussa's champion variety producing complex, age-worthy wines with distinctive olive and tomato leaf characteristics. Often compared to Nebbiolo for its high acidity, firm tannins, and remarkable ability to express terroir through extended bottle aging.

California's adopted signature red grape, originally from Croatia. Known for producing everything from light rosé to powerful, high-alcohol reds. Sonoma's old vine expressions showcase remarkable complexity with jammy fruit, spice, and distinctive American oak integration.