Vineyard Review

About Wine Types (Varietals)

The varieties of wine available to consumers today is staggering. Dozens of new
vineyards are now marketing specialty and niche wines... Knowing which wine is
right for you can be confusing. Using the drop down box above, you can access
detailed information about different wines types.

Varietal is one word you'll see applied to most non-European wines; it simply
refers to the grape variety used to make the wine. In Europe, the finest wines are
usually named after the region (the other is appellation) in which the grapes are
grown; examples include Bordeaux, Chianti, Piesporter, Champagne, etc. In most
of the rest of the world (including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South
America and the United States) the finest wines are usually labeled with the name
of the grape variety that the wine is made from (i.e.: Cabernet, Chardonnay, etc.).
The Europeans have had hundreds of years to determine which grapes grow best
in which regions, and they often have regulations controlling their labeling. For
example, Pinot Noir is the only red grape allowed to be grown in most of the
Burgundy region. As non-European countries establish reputations for the wines of
certain regions, they often add the region's name to the varietal name; for
example, Napa Valley Cabernet, Russian River Pinot Noir.

Serious wine-producing countries and states regulate the amount of a particular
grape that must be present before the wine can flaunt that grape's name. In
California and Washington any wine referred to by the name of the grape
(Chardonnay, for example) must be at least 75% of that grape; most varietals in
Oregon must be 90% of the named grape; and Alsace requires 100%. The types
of grapes used to make a wine are probably the single most important factor in
the taste of the wine. However, the flavors of a wine are also affected by how old
the vines are, what types of soils the vines are grown in, exposure to sunlight,
climates and microclimates, how the grapes are handled and fermented, types of
yeast used, whether the wine is aged in wood, etc. Therefore, the same grape
types can be grown in France, Australia, California, and Chile, but various factors
result in wines that taste different! Half the fun of experiencing wine is the
incredible array of flavors available!

Many of the world's finest wines are a blend of varietals: almost all Bordeaux red
wines contain Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc; almost all
Champagnes contain Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A wine which is a blend of
Cabernet and Merlot, for example, is often more complex than a wine which is
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Exploring varietal characteristics makes for a richer
wine experience. To that end, we have collected descriptions of the varietals you
are most likely to encounter.

Many of the newer or niche wines may not be available in your state. However,
many states now allow consumers to purchase wine online. We have added links
to several online wine merchants to help you in your search.