Popular Wines Made From 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 |