Red Grape Varieties

Study Notes

Cabernet Sauvignon:
- Origin: Bordeaux, France
- Known for: thick skin, high tannins, and flavors of black currant, blackberry, and spice
- Often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Merlot:
- Origin: Bordeaux, France
- Known for: smooth, approachable flavors of plum, blackberry, and chocolate
- Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir:
- Origin: Burgundy, France
- Known for: delicate, light-bodied flavors of red fruit, earth, and spice
- Often used in sparkling wines

Chardonnay:
- Origin: Burgundy, France
- Known for: buttery, oaky flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus
- Often oaked, with varying levels of oak influence
Sauvignon Blanc:
- Origin: Loire Valley, France
- Known for: crisp, refreshing flavors of grapefruit, lime, and grass
- Often used in blends or as a standalone varietal
Riesling:
- Origin: Mosel, Germany
- Known for: high acidity, flavors of green apple, peach, and honey
- Ranges from dry to sweet, with varying levels of residual sugar

Syrah/Shiraz: dark-skinned variety with flavors of dark fruit, pepper, and spice
Grenache: light-skinned variety with flavors of strawberry, cherry, and white pepper
Tempranillo: Spanish variety with flavors of red fruit, leather, and tobacco
Nebbiolo: Italian variety with flavors of dark fruit, leather, and spice

Müller-Thurgau: German hybrid variety with flavors of green apple and citrus
Tinta Barroca: Portuguese indigenous variety with flavors of dark fruit and spice
Sangiovese: Italian indigenous variety with flavors of cherry, plum, and acid

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a selection of some of the most well-known and widely cultivated grape varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon:
- Originates from Bordeaux, France
- Characterized by thick skin, high tannins, and flavors of black currant, blackberry, and spice
- Frequently blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Merlot:
- Originates from Bordeaux, France
- Known for its smooth, approachable flavors of plum, blackberry, and chocolate
- Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir:
- Originates from Burgundy, France
- Delicate, light-bodied flavors of red fruit, earth, and spice
- Often used in sparkling wines

Chardonnay:
- Originates from Burgundy, France
- Butter, oak flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus
- Often oaked, with varying levels of oak influence
Sauvignon Blanc:
- Originates from Loire Valley, France
- Crisp, refreshing flavors of grapefruit, lime, and grass
- Often used in blends or as a standalone varietal
Riesling:
- Originates from Mosel, Germany
- High acidity, flavors of green apple, peach, and honey
- Ranges from dry to sweet, with varying levels of residual sugar

Syrah/Shiraz:
- Dark-skinned variety
- Flavors of dark fruit, pepper, and spice
Grenache:
- Light-skinned variety
- Flavors of strawberry, cherry, and white pepper
Tempranillo:
- Spanish variety
- Flavors of red fruit, leather, and tobacco
Nebbiolo:
- Italian variety
- Flavors of dark fruit, leather, and spice

Müller-Thurgau:
- German hybrid variety
- Flavors of green apple and citrus
Tinta Barroca:
- Portuguese indigenous variety
- Flavors of dark fruit and spice
Sangiovese:
- Italian indigenous variety
- Flavors of cherry, plum, and acid