Grape Types

While there are more than 5,000 different wine grape varieties in the world, all fall into two major families – Vitis Vinifera, which is prevalent in Europe, and Vitis Labrusca which is native to Canada and the eastern United States.

Listed below, are the more popular grape varietals along with a brief description of each and a few notes on the type of wine they produce. To the left of each description is a “grape cluster” icon to let you know whether the grape itself is a “red” grape (actually red, blue, purple, or black in color) or a “white” grape (beige, yellow, or gold in color). Keep in mind, red grapes can be used to produce white wines. See Winemaking 101.

Grape Name		Description
Aglianico		Southern Italy's most prominent red grape, it produces the famous Taurasi wine. Full of fruity,smoky complexities - tannic when young, harmonious, dense and oaky.
Airén		Airén is a variety of Vitis vinifera, a white grape commonly used in winemaking. This grape is native to Spain where it represents about 30% of all grapes grown. Because it results in a wine of high acidity and low character, it is primarily used for brandy and raisins.
Albariño		Spanish white varietal producing a crisp, fruity wine similar to Riesling.
Alicante		A red French wine grape variety. Unlike most Vitis vinifera wine grapes, Alicante is a teinturier with dark flesh that produces red juice. Most varieties used to produce red wine have clear color flesh and juice with the wine receiving its color through a maceration process where the color seeps out of the grape skins for as long as they are in contact with the juice. Alicante can thusly produce light red and rose colored wine without maceration.
Aligote		Used in the Burgundy region of France. The Aligote is  generally considered unimpressive, but it is still used to make a few wines.
Auxerrois		The local French name for the Malbec (or Côt) red wine grape variety grown in the Cahors region of France. A white grape in Alsace.
BLACK GRAPE VARIETIES
Baga		Predominant in the Bairrada region of Portugal, where this grape accounts for 80 percent of all grapes grown, it is quite dependable and shows promise, has yet to establish truly fine varietal characteristics.
Barbera		A prolific Italian variety grown in Piedmont, making light, fresh, fruity wines that are gradually growing in quality and popularity.
Bordeaux		Not a grape, but a French Bordeaux region blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (<10%).
Cabernet Franc		Cabernet Franc is the third component (albeit a very small role) in Bordeaux (and Meritage) wines. It is rare to see a varietal of just Cabernet Franc, but it tends to produce a slightly earthy style of wine that is very aromatic.
Cabernet Sauvignon		The primary grape used in Bordeaux and Meritage red wines. It provides elegance and structure. Flavors are of blackcurrants and cedar, but in other areas may include green peppers and mint.
Carmenère		See also Grand Vidure. Primary grape of Chile producing bold red wines, it is sometimes mistaken for Merlot.
Catawba		A native American grape popularized by Thomas Jefferson and really formed the foundation of the United States wine industry until California wines came of age.
Chardonnay		This classic variety is responsible for producing the greatest white Burgundies and is one of the three major grape types used in the production of Champagne. Also known as Muscadet, Pinot blanc and Pinot chardonnay.
Chasselas		An old French white wine/table grape. Widely grown in France, but mostly for eating grapes nowadays.
Chenin Blanc		A variety used in the Chenin Blanc region of France. Good acidity level, thin skin and a high natural sugar content, making it very suitable for either sparkling or sweet wines, although some dry wines, are made from it.
Cinsault		A prolific grape found mainly in southern Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards, where it makes robust, well-coloured wines. Best results are obtained when it is blended, as at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, for example.
Colombard		A grape that produces thin and acidic wine ideal for the distillation of Armagnac and Cognac, but has adapted well to the hotter winelands of California and South Africa, where its high acidity is a positive attribute.
Concord		The widest-cultivated variety in North America outside of California (as in Welch's grape juice). By itself, it has an extremely pronounced "foxy" flavor.
Cortese		The primary grape for Gavi wine, this grape ripens early and makes a neutral white wine. It is grown primarily in Piedmont, Italy.
Corvina		A prolific Italian variety where is it blended into the windes of Bardolino and Valpolicella. The grape's thick skins contribute color and tannin. Has leathery, chocolaty, nutty-spicy, and herbal flavors and some cherry aromas.
Dolcetto		Well-known grape widely grown in Piedmont region of Italy. Has synonym name Nera Dolce, meaning "Sweet Black" in english. Has aroma flavors described as reminiscent of almond and liqorice.
Dornfelder		German hybrid developed in 1956 which produces a dark-colored, soft, chocolatey red wine.
Ehrenfelser		Created by crossing the Johannisberg Riesling grape and a Sylvaner grape clone, Ehrenfelser is extremely frost resistant. The wine it creates tastes a great deal like Riesling wine. Ehrenfelser is grown primarily in Canada.
Fiano		Native to southern Italy, this grape produces a white wine with pear and spice flavors. Also tropical flavors, citrus and a nutty edge.
Gamay		This is the only grape in red Beaujolais wine, in France. At an early age, flavors have been described as bananas and bubble gum, and evolve into spice, mint, hazelnuts and walnuts.
Gewürztraminer		Means "spice" in German. It has a slight grapefruit, ground pepper, floral, and nutty taste. In Alsace it is drier than the German versions and usually medium-bodied. Also grown in Italy, California, Canada, and Australia.
Grand Vidure		Also known as the Carmenere grape, this low-yielding grape was best known for its use in Medoc wines. Cuttings were taken to Chile in the mid-nineteenth century.
Grenache (noir)		Common in the Rhone and Spain (as Garnacha), it is a deeply colored, fruity red, but a bit on the rustic side. Usually blended and primarily found in the wines of the Southern Rhone.
Grenache Blanc		The white Grenache variant that is widely planted in France and Spain. It is an ancient Spanish variety that has the potential to produce a good-quality, full-bodied wine.
Johannisberg Riesling		A synonym often used to distinguish a wine made from the true Riesling grape. It is said to be at its best in the Rheingau vineyards of Johannisberg thus the name.
Lambrusco		An Italian variety, famous for its production of the medium-sweet, red, frothy wine of the same name in the Emilia-Romagna area.
Lemberger		Aliases for Blaufrankish and Limberger. Lemberger is a popular Austrian wine that is also planted heavily in Washington state.
Leon Millot		Early ripening French-American hybrid. Millot is more vigorous than Foch, is earlier ripening and bears a heavier crop. Produces a Burgundy-like still wine that can be very dark.
Malbec		A grape traditionally used in Boreaux blends to provide color and tannin. Also grown in the Loire, Cahors and Mediterranean regions, and is THE red grape in Mendoza. Black cherry, tobacco and chocolate flavors.
Malvasia		Most widely used as Malvasia Bianca.  It can produce wines in a wide variety of styles ranging from very dry to very sweet.  In any form, the wines have aromas of pears and spice with fresh fruity flavors.
Marechal Foch		Early ripening French-American hybrid. Produces large amounts of Gamay like clusters. Produces Burgundy style wine without the finesse or elegance.
Marsanne		A grape that makes fat, rich, full wines and one of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Mauzac		A late-ripening grape with good natural acidity, grown in southwest France. Flexible in the styles of wine it produces, it is particularly suitable for sparkling wine.
Meritage		Not a grape, but a California-style blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (<10%). It has qualities and similarities that often rival its French Bordeaux red wine cousin.
Merlot		This is an early ripening grape, with gentle flavors of plum, cherry, and sometimes toffee. In some areas of France, it can take over as the main grape in the Bordeaux blend.
Merlot Blanc		A variety cultivated on a surprisingly large scale on the right-bank of the Gironde, yet said to be unrelated to the more famous black Merlot variety.
Mission		One of the earliest grapes planted by Spanish settlers in South and Central America and California.
Monastrell		Spanish version of Mourvédre grape.
Mourvédre		An excellent-quality grape variety that has been used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends in recent years. It is grown under the name of Monastrell in Spain and Mataro in Australia and a popular grape in Chile.
Muscadelle		Part of the confusing-Musc-series, Muscadelle is one of the white grapes grown in Bordeaux. Not related to the Muscat grape, but does have a grapey-tasting flavor. This grape is most well known for its use in the Tokay.
Muscadine		Grown almost exclusively in the southeastern U.S. and in Mexico, the Muscadine is a large grape with a thick skin. It is very hearty, very aromatic, and grows in regions that may be inhospitable to other grapes.
Muscat		A family name for numerous related varieties, sub-varieties and localized clones of the same variety, all of which have a distinctive musky aroma and a pronounced grapey flavour. The wines produced range from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and fortified.
Muscat		This is a very grapey-tasting grape that doesn't ripen easily. There are various varieties of Muscat, such as Muscat blanc, Moscato (Italy), which is used for the sparkling Asti Spumanti wines, and Muscadel.
Müller Thurgau		The grape most widely planted in Germany, Müller-Thurgau comes as a mix of Riesling and Sylvaner. This is also grown in Austria, New Zealand and the northwest section of the U.S. It has a floral aroma.
Nebbiolo		This is a late ripening grape that's known for being tannic, pruny, tarry and chocolaty. It is notoriously difficult to grow, but adds complexity and ageability to wines. Also known as Spanna.
Optima		A German variety blended with other wines to add sweetness. It is not used in wines by itself.
Pais		See Mission grape.
Palomino		Native of Spain and used in the production of fine sherries.  It is a variety that is used especially for the dry light Fino sherries.
Petit Verdot		A grape used in Bordeaux because it is a late-ripener, bringing acidity to the overall balance of a wine. Not seen as a unique wine varietal, but can produce a characterful, long-lived and tannic wine when ripe.
Petite Sirah		Often confused as a relative of the Syrah grape, but really a different varietal. It produces intensely flavored wines with a lot of tannin.
Pinot Blanc		A variety at its best in Alsace where it is most successful, producing fruity, well-balanced wines with good grip and alcohol content. Also known under the more common name of chenin blanc in central France.
Pinot Gris		This is a clone of Pinot Noir, grown in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and along the west coast of the US. It's also known as Rulander or Grauer Burgunder. It can be used to create both fine whites and roses'.
Pinot Meunier		An important variety in Champagne, where, vinified white, it gives more up-front appeal of fruit than the Pinot noir when young. It is essential for early-drinking Champagnes. Now showing up as a single varietal wine.
Pinot Noir		Used to produce Burgundy wine and makes wines which are moderately fruity with noticeable red-berry (stawberry, cherry, raspberry) floral, and spicy aromas. Usually medium-bodied, dry, and light to moderately tannic. Without skins, they are used in Champagne.
Pinotage		Developed in the early 1900's and used primarily by South Africa, Pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and cinsaut. The grape makes a wine that is hearty, with a fruity and spice taste.
Portugieser		The widest-planted black grape variety in Germany, originating from the Danube district of Austria. As it makes very ordinary and extremely light red wine, it is often used in bad years to blend with the too acidic white wines.
Primitivo		An Italian variety, grown in Apulia, where it produces rich wines, sometimes sweet or fortified. Some think it is the same variety as Zinfandel.
Riesling		Most fine German wines from the Moselle and Rhine areas are made from Riesling, which may have floral, fruity (citrus, peach, apricot, pineapple) and honey aromas. Light to medium-bodied.
Rondinella		An Italian variety, secondary to the Corvina grape in terms of area planted, used for the production of Bardolino and Valpolicella.
Roussanne		One of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in France's Rhone Valley. This grape makes the finer, more delicate wines, while those made from the Marsanne are fatter and richer.
Sangiovese		The principal variety used in Chianti, it is grown in Italy's Tuscany region. In a pure varietal form it has floral, herbal and cherry aromas, and now popular in California.
Sauvignon Blanc		This grape is grown primarily in California and France. It has a grassy flavor and makes a crisp, light wine. The same grape is used in Fumé Blanc wine, which is its "drier" version.
Scheurebe		This is a mix between Sylvaner and Johannisberg Riesling. It is mostly planted in Germany and is used for aromatic white wines.
Semillon		This thin-skinned, grape ripens early and is used mostly in Bordeaux, France. It has a grassy, "figgy" flavor. It is also grown and showing promise in Australia and California, and is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.
Seyval Blanc		This Seibel 5656 x Seibel 4986 hybrid is the most successful of the many Seyve-Villard crosses. It is grown in France, New York state and England, where it produces attractive wines.
Shiraz		Australian grape varietal. See Syrah
Siegerrebe		A German Madeleine Angevine x Gewurztraminer cross. Can make a very good dry/off-dry dinner wine, but best as a late harvest dessert wine.
Steen		A synonym for the Chenin blanc used in South Africa. Not to be mistaken by "Stein" which is also used in South Africa, but rather a semi-sweet style of white wine. Many "Stein" blends contain a large percentage of of Steen.
Sylvaner		Originally from Austria, this variety is widely planted throughout Central Europe. It is prolific, early maturing and yields the dry wines of Franken and Alsace. It is also widely believed to be the Zierfandler of Austria.
Syrah		The name is derived from Shiraz, the capital of Fars, a province of Iran. In Hermitage, in the northern Rhone, the grape makes big, rich tannic wines with a good deal of fruit. Known as Shiraz in Australia.
Tempranillo		The most important variety in Rioja, where it is traditional to blend the grapes. Also grown in Argentina. Many pure Tempranillo wines though, are of excellent quality, producing long-lived wines of some finesse and complexity.
Tinta Cao		One of the best Port grapes.
Torrontés		Argentina’s famous white grape, it produces spicy, dry, refreshing whites. It started life in Galicia, northwest Spain, where it is still found in the white wines of Ribeiro.
Touriga Nacional		The finest Port grape in the entire Couro. The wine is fantastically rich and tannic, with masses of fruit, and is capable of great longevity and complexity.
Trollinger		A variety mainly restricted to the Wurttemberg region of Germany. It produces fresh and fruity red wine.
Verdicchio		Maritime aromas, crisp fruit and almond flavored finish characterize this Italian grape. It produces a full-bouquet, fruit-packed wine that sometimes requires a bit of oak to add heft.
Vermentino		Sweet without being fat, this Spanish varietal is widely planted in Italy and produces a fresh and fruity summer wine. Has notes of apple, pear and herbs but can be borderline meaty.
Vernaccia		One of Italy's native grapes, it has been around for centuries and is somewhat simple and lightly aromatic. It provides light citrus and apples flavors and is often blended with chardonnay to give it structure.
Viognier		This varietal originated in Condrieu, on the northern Rhone. It is predominately found in the Rhone Valley and now California. Noted for spice, floral, citrus, aprict, apple, and peach flavors.
Vranac		A grape indigenous to Yugoslavia, where it makes dark-colored, full-bodied, characterful wines.
Zinfandel		Regarded in California as a native grape, but may have its heritage as the Primativo grape of Italy. Used for the origional "blush" wines but usually make jammy, spicy wines.