What is a wine grape variety?

When you are interested in wine, certain vocabulary words are important to know, and the term  grape variety is certainly one of them. Indeed, it is a word you will hear very often if you attend a wine fair or if you visit a winery!

But then, what is a grape variety? Well, it is simply a type of vine that produces a specific grape. Some grape varieties are red, others are white, and there are more than 6,000 used for winemaking! Fortunately for your memory, only a handful of them are used to produce the vast majority of wines around the world.

 

Single-varietal wines and blends

Depending on the region, the appellation or the estate, a wine can be single-varietal (made from a single grape variety) or a blend (produced with at least two grape varieties).

For example, the region of Burgundy is renowned for its tradition of single-varietal wines: white wines are thus produced with only the Chardonnay grape variety while red wines are made with Pinot Noir, with a few exceptions.

Conversely, although there are single-varietal wines in Bordeaux, the region is known for its tradition of blended wines where Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc play leading roles.

So, as you have understood, the grape variety plays a key role in a wine's identity, giving it its aromas, its acidity, a certain level of alcohol or tannins, etc.

Of course, grape varieties are shaped by their location. Thus, a Pinot Noir from Burgundy will not resemble a Pinot Noir from the South-West, as the soils and climate of the two regions are not the same.

Finally, human expertise is also of paramount importance in winemaking. As a result, wines produced in two neighboring estates from the same grape variety can still be very different if the two winemakers do not follow the same philosophy.

 

 

A few white grape varieties to remember

Now that you understand the importance of grape varieties in the world of wine, here are the white varieties you will most often encounter during tastings. If you would like even more comprehensive knowledge on the subject, feel free to read our article on all the white grape varieties to know!

 

Chardonnay

Originally from Burgundy, Chardonnay is very likely the most well-known white grape variety in the world. It is indeed found on every continent ! France, Italy, Spain, United States, Australia, Chile, Argentina... it is a true all-terrain variety adapting to almost all types of climates and terroirs for very diverse results.

Indeed, its expression is mineral and citrus-driven when it grows in cool climates such as Chablis, but it can also express a lot of roundness and power in warmer terroirs, as is the case in California.

 

The Sauvignon Blanc

Originally from the Loire Valley, Sauvignon is a very popular grape variety, loved for its particularly expressive aromatics. With its lively acidity, it develops aromas of citrus, peach, apricot, and even tropical fruits. 

In France, its preferred region remains the Loire, but it is also found in the Bordeaux region where it produces dry whites as well as delicious sweet wines (Sauternes) and in the South-West. Internationally, it is also very present in New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.

 

The Chenin

Another very important white grape variety in the Loire, Chenin has many strings to its bow. It can be used to make dry, off-dry, sweet, and even sparkling wines !

Its aromatics can therefore be very diverse depending on its style, but it often develops aromas of quince and citrus.

Note that Chenin is also very present in South Africa where it is called Steen.

  

Viognier

Viognier is a grape variety whose preferred region is the Rhône Valley.

Renowned for its indulgentise, it has low acidity, a dense texture and exudes aromas of apricot, peach, honey, and white flowers. 

Beyond the Rhône Valley, Viognier is also found in Languedoc-Roussillon as well as in Provence.

 

A few red grape varieties to remember

After the white grape varieties, let's now discover some red varieties. If you wish to explore the subject further, feel free to read our article on the main red wine grape varieties to know !

 

Cabernet Sauvignon

Flagship grape variety of Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is an international star as it is simply the most widely planted variety in the world!

It is found in France in various regions (Bordeaux, but also Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Loire, and South-West) as well as internationally in the United States, Australia, Lebanon, Greece, and Chile.

Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its ability to produce great red age-worthy wines. It offers good acidity, a strong tannic structure, and exudes aromas of black fruits and spices. In many cases, it is blended with other varieties and rarely makes up an entire cuvée on its own.

 

Merlot

Faithful companion of Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, Merlot is the most widely planted grape in this region and the second most widely planted variety in the world !

It ideally complements the Cabernets thanks to its indulgentise and smooth tannins. Accessible from a young age, Merlot develops delightful aromas of red and black fruits. Like its favorite partners, it is mainly used in blends.

 

Cabernet Franc

Together with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Cabernet Franc forms a solid trio. The three are often blended, especially in Bordeaux and some South-West appellations. This beautiful grape is also found in the Loire, where it is vinified alone (AOC Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil etc.)

Cabernet Franc has good acidity, structured tannins, and its aromatics develop fruity notes of strawberry, cherry, raspberry, as well as bell pepper (green or red depending on ripeness).

 

Pinot Noir

Although it is complex to get the best from it, Pinot Noir is one of the noblest grape varieties.

At its mere mention, one immediately thinks of Burgundy and its renowned appellations. Nevertheless, Pinot Noir is also very present in Alsace as well as internationally. It is found, for example, in California, New Zealand, Germany, and South Africa.

Wonderfully delicate, it offers on tasting a fresh acidity, light tannins, and elegant aromas of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. It is a grape variety capable of producing lovely wines for friends but also, and above all, magnificent, complex, and age-worthy wines.

    

Syrah

Finally, to complete our overview of red grape varieties, it was absolutely necessary to mention Syrah.

A great grape of the Rhône Valley, this magnificent variety has also spread to other French regions such as Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence as well as internationally (California, Australia, South Africa, Italy, etc.). Nevertheless, it is in its birthplace that it expresses its best.

Thus, for example, it  makes up all the wines of the appellations Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage or Crozes-Hermitage. 

Syrah usually has a velvety texture, tannins that are present but smooth as well asa very seductive aromatic profile with notes of violet, morello cherry, blackberry, and pepper.

Conclusion

There you have it, you now know the definition of a grape variety and also have several notions about the most important varieties. From now on, all that's left is to move from theory to practice, which, let's admit, is even more exciting!

Cheers and see you soon at La Cave Éclairée !