Grapes

The most widely planted red grape of Greece offers a wide range of styles, from rosé to red. The most exceptional Agiorgitiko wines are the full-bodied reds from Nemea.

If Nebbiolo is king of Northern Italy, then Aglianico is king of the South. A wine with incredible quality, and a unique savory flavor that’s best enjoyed aged.

Spain’s most widely planted grape is primarily used for brandy, save for a few producers who have revitalized the drought-resistant old bush vines for winemaking.

Albariño is a white grape variety grown in Spain and Portugal, and currently used for white wines such as Vinho Verde.

Alicante Bouschet is a rare red grape hybrid, created by Henri Bouschet, with both red skins and red flesh, known as a teinturier.

Aligoté is Burgundy’s “other” white grape, more rarely encountered than Chardonnay; yielding light, citrusy wines. It is also the traditional base ingredient for the Kir cocktail.

Indigenous to Portugal, the Arinto white grape is currently used to produce age-worthy white wines. Flavors include beeswax and nuts.

Arneis is a white grape variety, and exists thanks to the efforts of winemaker Alfredo Currado, who brought it back from scarcity.

Native to Santorini, Assyrtiko is a rare grape in terms of vineyard area, but is quickly picking up acreage throughout Greece. Noted for its texture, acidity, and minerality.

Even though a large proportion of Baga is used in Portugal’s leading value wine, Mateus Rosé, the grape can produce age-worthy reds and complex sparkling rosé.

Barolo is what everyone talks about from Piedmont, but Barbera is what everyone drinks! This everyday red can be found in vineyards around the world.

Rich black fruit is contrasted by peppery flavors and boisterous acidity in this food-friendly Austrian red. Blaufränkisch is a parent grape of both Gamay and Zweigelt.

Not the same grape as Bonarda from Italy, this Bonarda (aka Charbono or Douce Noir) grows alongside Malbec in Argentina where it produces equally fruity, smooth red wines.

Brachetto d’Acqui is a frizzante (semi-sparkling) sweet red wine from Piedmont that’s known for it’s candied and floral aromatics.

Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex reds result, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper (pyrazines).

The world’s most popular red wine grape is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its high concentration and age worthiness.

Carignan is a black-skinned wine grape currently planted in Spain and France. It is commonly used in red wine blends with Grenache and Syrah.

Carménère is a dark-skinned grape currently planted in Chile. It’s a late ripening grape sharing traits with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Castelão is a wine grape with dark skin, currently planted in Portugal; used in various wines, including still red, rosé, and sparkling.

Catarratto is a white grape variety originating from Sicily. It is commonly used in Marsala blended wines or made into concentrate.

Catawba is a pink-skinned wine grape currently grown in New York state, and used to create white, rosé, and sparkling wines.

Chardonnay is now the most widely planted white grape variety, globally. Chardonnay is a major grape in Champagne, and other sparkling wines.

A Swiss variety which yields fairly neutral wines that tend to showcase their origin more so than other grapes, based on the terroir in which they grow.