A Grape By Any Other NameIn the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South America and other “new world” wine regions, the name of the grape used in the wine you are drinking is usually very clearly marked on the bottle. You purchase a “Chardonnay” and know it’s made from the chardonnay grape. The same is true with Merlot Zinfandel and just about everything else. This is not the case in France, Spain and other “old world” wine countries where the wine’s region is supposed to give a hint toward the grape that is being used. A Chianti is an Italian wine produced in the Chianti region but made with the Sangiovese grape. A Rioja is a Spanish wine produced in a region by that name but is usually produced from the Tempranillo grape. Then there are situations where you just don’t know. Here is a list of wine “grapes” you may see on a label, that really aren’t grapes at all.
| Barolo |
A wine produced in the Piedmont region of Italy using the Nebbiolo grape. |
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Bordeaux (red)
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Not a grape, a region in France that uses Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally, Petite Verdot grapes. |
| Bordeaux (white) |
This French wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. |
| Brunello |
Italian wine produced in Montalcino using Sangiovese grapes. |
| Burgundy (red) |
French region using Pinot Noir grapes. |
| Burgundy (white) |
French wine using Chardonnay grapes. |
| Chablis |
In California, this wine could be a blend of just about any white wine grapes, thanks to Ernest & Julio Gallo. But in France, it is a region that uses Chardonnay. |
| Chianti |
Italian wine using Sangiovese grapes. |
| Côtes du Rhône |
French wine region using primarily Grenache and Syrah grapes |
| Crianza |
Not a grape or a wine but a labeling designation in Spain that indicates the wine has been aged a minimum of one year in an oak barrel. |
| Fumé Blanc |
A name created by Robert Mondavi for marketing Sauvignon Blanc. |
| Meritage |
A marketing term in California used to describe red wine blends and styles similar to that of a French Bordeaux (red). See above. |
| Port |
Fortified "wine" made in the Douro region of Portugal which can use nearly 100 different grape varieties, but the Touriga Francesa is the most widely planted. |
| Rhine wine |
German wine region along the Rhine River using Riesling grapes. |
| Rioja |
Spanish region using Tempranillo grapes. |
| Sancerre |
French region using Sauvignon Blanc grapes. |
| Vouvray |
Also not a grape, but a region in France using Chenin Blanc grapes. |
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