Wine GrapeEncyclopedia
Journey through the world's most celebrated grape varieties. From the slopes of Burgundy to the valleys of Napa, discover the stories behind every bottle.
Red Grapes
Full-bodied wines with rich flavors and elegant tannins
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux, France
The king of red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon produces powerful, full-bodied wines with exceptional aging potential. Born f...
Merlot
Bordeaux, France
Softer and more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot produces plush, velvety wines with generous fruit flavors. ...
Pinot Noir
Burgundy, France
The heartbreak grape - notoriously difficult to grow but capable of producing some of the world's most ethereal wines. P...
Syrah / Shiraz
Rhône Valley, France
A powerhouse grape that produces deeply colored, full-bodied wines. Known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia, it...
Nebbiolo
Piedmont, Italy
Italy's noblest red grape, producing the legendary wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Despite its pale color, Nebbiolo deli...
Tempranillo
Rioja, Spain
Spain's signature red grape, producing everything from fresh, fruity wines to complex, oak-aged Reservas. The name comes...
Sangiovese
Tuscany, Italy
The blood of Jupiter - Tuscany's most important grape and the soul of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Its high acidi...
Malbec
Cahors, France
Once a major grape in Bordeaux, Malbec found its true home in Argentina where the high altitude and sunny days produce d...
Zinfandel
Croatia (via California)
America's heritage grape, Zinfandel produces bold, jammy wines with high alcohol and spicy character. Though long though...
Grenache / Garnacha
Aragon, Spain
One of the world's most widely planted red varieties, Grenache produces generous, fruit-forward wines with soft tannins....
Mourvèdre
Valencia, Spain
A dark, tannic grape that adds structure, color, and earthy complexity to blends. It's the 'M' in GSM blends and produce...
Cabernet Franc
Bordeaux, France
The parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc produces more elegant, aromatic wines with distinctive herbal notes. It...
Petit Verdot
Bordeaux, France
A late-ripening Bordeaux variety used as a 'seasoning' grape in blends, adding color, tannin, and violet aromatics. Clim...
Carménère
Bordeaux, France
Once a major Bordeaux grape, Carménère was thought extinct after phylloxera until rediscovered in Chile in 1994. It has ...
Pinotage
South Africa
South Africa's own grape variety, created in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsaut. It produces distinctive wines ran...
Gamay
Burgundy, France
The grape of Beaujolais, Gamay produces light, fruity, low-tannin wines meant to be enjoyed young. Famous for Beaujolais...
Aglianico
Southern Italy
Often called the 'Barolo of the South,' Aglianico produces powerful, tannic wines with remarkable aging potential. It's ...
White Grapes
Crisp, refreshing wines ranging from light to full-bodied
Chardonnay
Burgundy, France
The world's most popular white grape, Chardonnay is a blank canvas that expresses terroir and winemaking style beautiful...
Sauvignon Blanc
Loire Valley, France
Intensely aromatic with herbaceous and tropical notes, Sauvignon Blanc is prized for its crisp acidity and refreshing ch...
Riesling
Rhine, Germany
One of the world's greatest white grapes, Riesling produces wines of crystalline purity with electric acidity. It can ra...
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
Burgundy, France
A mutation of Pinot Noir with grayish-pink skins, this grape produces wines ranging from light and crisp (Italian style)...
Gewürztraminer
Alto Adige, Italy
Arguably the most aromatic grape variety, Gewürztraminer produces intensely perfumed wines with notes of lychee, rose, a...
Viognier
Rhône Valley, France
A seductive, aromatic grape producing rich, full-bodied wines with intoxicating floral aromas. Nearly extinct in the 196...
Grüner Veltliner
Austria
Austria's flagship white grape, known for its distinctive white pepper note and remarkable versatility. From crisp, ligh...
Albariño
Galicia, Spain
The signature grape of Spain's green northwest coast, Albariño produces aromatic, refreshing wines with notes of stone f...
Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France
One of the world's most versatile grapes, Chenin Blanc can make everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines, plus...
Sémillon
Bordeaux, France
A golden-skinned grape that produces rich, waxy wines often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. It's susceptible to noble rot,...
Muscat / Moscato
Greece/Middle East
The only grape that actually tastes like grapes! One of the oldest known varieties, Muscat comes in many forms and produ...
Torrontés
Argentina
Argentina's signature white grape, producing intensely aromatic wines reminiscent of Gewürztraminer. It's a natural cros...
Verdejo
Rueda, Spain
Spain's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo produces aromatic, herbal wines with distinctive bitter almond notes. It has ...
Vermentino
Italy (disputed)
A Mediterranean grape producing fresh, saline wines perfect for seafood. It thrives near the sea and has become the sign...
Marsanne
Northern Rhône, France
A rich, full-bodied white grape often blended with Roussanne. It produces golden, nutty wines with low acidity that gain...
Fiano
Campania, Italy
An ancient Roman grape producing complex, nutty wines with remarkable aging potential. It's one of Southern Italy's fine...
Explore Wine Regions
Each grape tells a story of its terroir - the unique combination of soil, climate, and tradition that shapes its character.
Pair Your Wine
Discover perfect food pairings for every grape variety. Each wine page includes recommended dishes to complement your selection.
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