Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape originating from France’s Loire Valley but which is now widely planted in South Africa. It is naturally high in acidity and it produces a wide spectrum of wine styles, from bone dry and crisp to sweet dessert wines, as well as sparkling wines (crémant). Common tasting notes include yellow apple, pear, quince, lemon and a distinct minerality that shows with age.
See Also
Shiraz
Shiraz is a popular, full bodied, dark skinned grape variety most famously grown in Australia, that produces bold, fruit forward wines. It is genetically identical to Syrah, which is grown in France, although it is a more opulent, jammy and spicy wine than its Old World counterpart.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a black grape variety native to Spain, the backbone of the red wines Rioja and Ribera Del Duero. Tempranillo produces savory, medium to bodied wines with cherry, plum, tobacco and leather flavors.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is Italy's most widely planted red grape, the backbone of Tuscan wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. It is a high yielding and late ripening dark grape varietal, characterized by its tart red cherry, plum, strawberry, herbaceous and earthy notes.
Moscato
Moscato is a sweet and highly aromatic Italian white wine made from the ancient Muscat Blanc grape. It is low in alcohol (typically between 5-7% ABV), and displays notes of peach, apricot and orange blossom.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a light to medium bodied red wine grape with high acidity, moderate tannins and an aromatic profile. It is the parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel, known as Primitivo in Italy, is a versatile, black skinned grape primarily grown in California. It ican be made into spicy high alcohol red wines or a sweet, pink rosé called White Zinfandel.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a light bodied and crisp white wine made from greyish blue grapes of the same name. It is dry, highly acidic and refreshing with lemon, green apple and pear flavors.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green skinned grape used to make white wines. Originating in Burgundy, France, its wines are dry and medium to full bodied.