Principal Grape Varieties

Chardonnay is one of the most popular and widely planted grape varieties. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand. It has apple, peach, lemon and mineral hints when it is produced in cold climates, whereas pineapple and tropical fruit hints can be tasted in warmer climates.  When oak is not used, it shows itself as lively and fruity.

Sauvignon Blanc produces dry wines that have a pronounced intensity of aromas and refreshingly high acidity. Grape variety originates from the city of Bordeaux in France. Depending on the climate, the flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical. In cooler climates, the grape has a tendency to produce wines with noticeable acidity and "green flavors" of grass, green bell peppers and nettles with some tropical fruit and floral notes. In warmer climates, it can develop more tropical fruit notes but risks losing much aroma from over-ripeness, leaving only slight grapefruit and tree fruit (such as peach) notes.

Pinot Grigio normally has a grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name. It is a very popular grape variety that produces wines with medium to high acidity. The flavors can range from ripe tropical fruit notes of melon and mango to lemon. In Italy, Pinot grigio grapes are often harvested early to retain the refreshing acidity and minimize some of the overt-fruitiness of the variety, creating a more neutral flavor profile. Pinot Grigio wines usually fermented in stainless steel tanks and not matured in oak, to retain fruity flavors.

Riesling is a white grape variety that originated in the Rhine region. It produces wines that range from bone dry to lusciously sweet. All of them have high levels of acidity. In cool climates (such as many German wine regions), Riesling wines tend to exhibit apple and tree fruit notes with noticeable levels of acidity that are sometimes balanced with residual sugar.

Cabernet Sauvignon is widly planted around the world, and produces dry wines with high levels of tannins and acidity. Reference point for quality and refinement of Cabernet Sauvignon wine is the Bordeaux region, in particular the Médoc area. The wine is intense purple in color. It has delicate notes of sage, rosemary and eucalyptol. On the palate it expresses an intense minerality and it is soft, with thin tannins and notes of sage and rosemary. The wines are often matured in oak, which infuses it with cedar, toast, and vanilla. adds aromas of red and dark pulp fruits such as blueberries, black cherry, plum, blackberry and black currant.

The Merlot grape is one of the most loved and widespread red berried varieties in the world.The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Merlot wines can have flavors ranging from red fruits, such as strawberry and red plum, to black fruits, such as blackberry, black plum. On the nose they are intense and persistent. Merlot wines are often matured in oak, that gives aromas of vanilla.

Pinot Noir is a red grape variety originating from Burgundy, considered among the most elegant and refined for its seductive aromas, soft color and silky tannins. Wines made from Pinot Noir tent to be dry and light- to medium-bodied, with low to medium tannin levels and high acidity. Typically flavors are of black fruits with spice as black paper and liquorice. Oak gives flavors of vanilla or cocount to the wine.

Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia is a dark-skinned grape variety that produces dry wines with medium to high tannins and medium acidity. The style and flavor profile of wines made from Syrah are influenced by the climate where the grapes are grown. In hot climates, Syrah is more consistently full-bodied with softer tannin, jammier fruit and spice notes of licorice, anise and earthy leather.