Grape Varieties
Explore wines from around the world by the grape varieties that define them.
Popular Red Wine Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bold, full-bodied, with notes of blackcurrant and spice.
Merlot
Smooth, fruity, and soft tannins – a great all-rounder.
Pinot Noir
Elegant, light-bodied reds with bright red fruit and earthy notes.
Syrah / Shiraz
Peppery, rich, and intense, perfect for lovers of powerful reds.
Tempranillo
Spain’s flagship grape, known for its earthy character and balance.
Malbec
Dark and juicy, often with notes of plum and cocoa, especially from Argentina.
Zinfandel
Bold and fruity with spice, mainly from California.
Grenache / Garnacha
Juicy reds with soft tannins and berry notes.
Sangiovese
Italy’s most planted grape, known for Chianti and Brunello.
Touriga Nacional
Portugal’s top red grape is rich in color, flavor, and aroma.
Lesser-Known Red Grapes
Tinta Roriz / Aragonez
A key grape in Portuguese blends.
Carignan
Rustic and vibrant, often found in southern France and Spain.
Carmenère
Once lost, now a Chilean favorite with smoky, herbal tones.
Touriga Franca
A key grape in Douro blends, offering floral notes, spice, and structure.
Aglianico
Deep and complex reds from southern Italy.
Nero d’Avola
Sicily’s bold, sun-soaked red.
Monastrell / Mourvèdre
Dark, structured wines with wild fruit notes.
Blaufränkisch
Spicy, fresh reds from Austria and Central Europe.
Frappato
A light, aromatic red from Sicily, perfect slightly chilled.
Popular White Grapes
Chardonnay
Ranges from crisp and citrusy to buttery and oaked.
Sauvignon Blanc
Vibrant acidity with grassy, tropical notes.
Riesling
Aromatic and versatile, from dry to lusciously sweet.
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
Light and refreshing, or full and textured depending on region.
Chenin Blanc
Lively whites with apple, honey, and floral tones.
Albariño / Alvarinho
Crisp, aromatic whites from Spain and Portugal.
Viognier
Fragrant and full-bodied with notes of peach and blossom.
Gewürztraminer
Spicy, floral, and richly aromatic.
Lesser-Known Whites
Verdejo
Zesty Spanish whites with a slight bitterness.
Grüner Veltliner
Austria’s signature white, crisp with white pepper notes.
Loureiro
Aromatic and fresh, with citrus and floral notes. Key grape in Vinho Verde.
Encruzado
Portugal’s noble white, offering elegant minerality, complexity, and aging potential.
Torrontés
Argentina’s floral, aromatic white.
Fiano
Southern Italian grape known for nutty, textured wines.
Garganega (Soave)
Light and fresh with almond and citrus notes.
Moschofilero
Floral and refreshing Greek variety.
Trebbiano / Ugni Blanc
Widely grown, crisp, and neutral, often used in blends.
Blended Wines & Multi-Grape Styles
Bordeaux Blends (Red & White)
Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon in perfect harmony.
Rhône Blends
Think Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM) for reds; Marsanne and Roussanne for whites.
Super Tuscan Blends
Sangiovese mixed with international grapes like Cabernet or Merlot.
Field Blends
Multiple grapes grown and fermented together, often old-vine.
Portuguese Blends
Complex reds and whites from native grapes like Touriga Nacional and Arinto.
Sparkling Wine Grapes (Champagne Grapes)
Chardonnay
Brings elegance, finesse, and acidity to sparkling wines like Champagne.
Pinot Noir
Adds structure, red fruit notes, and complexity to sparkling blends.
Pinot Meunier
Gives softness, roundness, and early-drinking character in Champagne.
