What is a wine grape variety?

When one is interested in wine, certain vocabulary words are important to know, and the term  cépage  is certainly one of them. It is indeed a word you will hear very often if you attend a wine fair or visit a vineyard!

But then, what is a cépage? Well, it is simply a variety of vine that produces a specific grape.  Some cépages are red, others are white, and there are more than 6,000 intended for winemaking! Fortunately for your memory, only a handful of them allow for the production of 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: the white wines are thus produced with only the Chardonnay grape while the 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 the leading roles.

You have therefore understood that the grape variety plays a key role in the identity of a wine, 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 Southwest, as the soils and climate of the two regions are not the same.

Finally, human expertise also plays a crucial role in wine production. Consequently, wines produced in two nearby estates from the same grape variety can still be very different if the two winemakers do not follow the same philosophy.

Some white grape varieties to remember

Now that you understand the importance of grape varieties in the wine world, here are the white varieties you will most often encounter during tastings.If you would like an even more comprehensive understanding of 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 present on all continents ! France, Italy, Spain, United States, Australia, Chile, Argentina... it is a true all-terrain vehicle adapting to almost all types of climates and terroirs for very varied results.

Indeed, if its expression is mineral and focused on citrus fruits when it evolves under cool latitudes like in  Chablis, it will be  capable of expressing a lot of roundness and power on warmer terroirs as is the case in California.

The  Sauvignon Blanc

Originally from the  Loire Valley, the Sauvignon is a very popular grape variety loved for its particularly expressive aromatics. Supported by a lively acidity, it indeed evolves on aromas  of citrus, peach, apricot, or 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) or even in the Southwest. 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, the Chenin has several strings to its bow.This one indeed allows for the production of dry, semi-dry, sweet, and even sparkling white wines! Its aromatic profile can therefore be very diverse, but it often develops aromas of quince and citrus. Note that Chenin is also very present in South Africa where it is called Steen. The Viognier The Viognier is a grape variety whose preferred region is the Rhône Valley.

Renowned for its richness, this one has low acidity, a dense texture and exudes aromas of apricot, peach, as well as honey and white flowers. 

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

Some red grape varieties to remember

After the white grape varieties, let's now discover some red varieties.If you wish to delve deeper into the subject, feel free to read our article on the main red wine grape varieties to know! The Cabernet Sauvignon Grape emblematic of Bordeaux, the Cabernet Sauvignon is an international star as it is simply the most planted variety in the world! It is found in France in different regions (Bordeaux but also Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Loire, or even the Southwest) but also internationally like in the United States, Australia, Lebanon, Greece, or even Chile.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety renowned for its ability to produce  great red aged wines. It offers a nice acidity, a significant tannic structure, and exudes aromas of black fruits and spices. In many cases, it is blended with other varieties and it is rare for it to make up the entirety of a cuvée.

Merlot

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

It ideally complements the Cabernets thanks to a manifest indulgence as well as smooth tannins. Accessible from its youth, Merlot develops delightful aromas of red and black fruits. Like its preferred partners, it is mainly used in blending.

Cabernet Franc

With Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Cabernet Franc forms a solid triptych. The three companions are indeed regularly blended, especially in Bordeaux or in certain appellations of the South-West. This beautiful grape variety is also found in the Loire where it is vinified alone (AOC  Chinon,  Bourgueil,  Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil  etc.)

The Cabernet Franc presents good acidity, structured tannins and its aromatic profile evolves with fruity notes of strawberry, cherry, raspberry as well as bell pepper (green or red depending on ripeness).

Pinot noir

Although it is complex to bring out the best, 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 can be found, for example, in California, New Zealand, or even in Germany and South Africa.

Marvelous in delicacy, it presents in tasting a fresh acidity, light tannins as well as elegant aromas of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. It is a grape variety capable of offering lovely friend wines but also and especially magnificent complex and age-worthy wines.

Syrah

Finally, to conclude our tour of red grape varieties, it was absolutely necessary to mention Syrah.

A great grape variety of the Rhône Valley, this magnificent variety has also spread to other French regions such as Languedoc-Roussillon or 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  produces all the wines of the appellations Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage or Crozes-Hermitage. 

Syrah usually presents a velvety texture, tannins that are present but smooth as well asa very seductive aroma profile evolving on violet, morello cherry, blackberry, or even 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 remains is to move from theory to practice, which, let's admit, is even more captivating!

Cheers and see you soon at La Cave Éclairée !