Popular Wines Made From These Varietal Grapes

Understanding key characteristics of each wine varietal is one of the first components of helping you identify the wines you like, and why.

New World wines are generally labeled by varietal, where Old World wines are labeled by region (i.e. Bordeaux wine refers to a wine made in the Bordeaux region of France. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are two varietals grown in Bordeaux).

Please see below for a list of common wine varietals as provided by The California Wine Club.

Chardonnay (shar-doe-NAY)

Chablis, Champagne, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Chardonnay, Melon Blanc, Rousseau,

Gewürztraminer (guh-vurts-TRA-MEE-NER)

Frencher, Klaebinger, Livora, Rothweiner, Traminer

Pinot Grigio (PEE-noh GREE-zOH)

Malvoisie, Pinot Gris, Sivi Pinot, Szürkebarát, Tokay d'Alsace

Riesling (REEZ-ling)

Feher Rajnai, Johannisberg Riesling, Klingelberger, Rhein, Rheingauer, Mosel, Rosslinger, Ruessel, Starovetski, Uva Pussila

Sauvignon Blanc (SOH-vin-yohn BLAHN)

White Bordeaux, Fume Blanc, Muskat Silvaner, Sauternes, Zöld Ortlibi

Viognier (vee-oh-NYAY)

Bergeron, Picotin Blanc, Viogne, Galopine, Vugava bijela

Zinfandel Blush (ZIN-fan-dell - bləSH)

Crljenak Kaštelanski, Primitivo, Rose, White Zinfandel

Cabernet Sauvignon (ka-ber-NAY saw-vee-YOHN)

Bidure, Bordeaux, Carmenet, Petite Vidure, Sauvignon Rouge, Veron

Corvina (kor-VEE-nuh)

Amarone, Veronese, Bardolino, Valpolicella

Gamay (ga-MAY)

Beaujolais, Gamay Noir, Red Burgundy

Grenache (gruh-NASH)

Alicante, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tocai, Vieux Chateau Du Roi

Malbec (MAHL-bek)

Cot, Cahors, Auxerrois, Malbeck, Pressac, Anjou, Coteaux du Loir, Touraine

Merlot (mer-LOW)

Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Medoc, Red Bordeaux

Montepulciano (mon-tay-pool-CHANO)

Primaticcio, Uva Abruzzo, Violone, Abruzzo, Rosso, Marche

Nebbiolo (neh-B’YO-low)

Barolo, Barbaresco, Spanna, Piedmont, Roero

Pinot Noir (PEE-noh NWAHR)

Pinot Negro, Red Burgundy, Spätburgunder, Blauburgunder. Volnay, Pommard

Sangiovese (san-joh-VAY-zeh)

Chianti, Nielluccio, Sangioveto, Brunello, Prugnolo Gentile, Morellino

Shiraz (SH(i)əˈräz)

Syrah, Hermitage, Scyras

Tempranillo (tem-pra-NEE-yoh)

Rioja, Tinto Fino, Tinta Roriz, Ribera del Duero, Port