The Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay – these are terms that are common place today. The fact that so many of us are familiar with them is due is in large part to the “varietal movement” which swept through the wine world in the 1970s.

Historically, many of the greatest wines of the world were blends of different grapes. In wines of the Burgundy region and Germany however, these were and continue to be made from a single varietal (grape) and labeled with place names rather than grape names.

The varietal movement of making and subsequently labeling wines by the dominant grape in the blend began in California and has since become standard practice in most New World wine regions. The trend has simplified our understanding of wine, as consumers are now familiar with the flavours of individual grapes, rather than trying to distinguish between the unique character of 1,000 different wine-growing regions.

Cabernet Franc – Outside of Ontario and the Loire Valley in France the Cabernet Franc variety of grape rarely plays centre stage. More often than not, Cabernet Franc plays a supporting role to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux blends and New World Meritage. In these blends, Cabernet Franc adds a perfumy note and helps to soften the coarse, bitter nature of young Cabernet Sauvignon. When it does stand alone; Cabernet Franc can come across as rather light but often displays pleasant raspberry, currant and herb-like aromas and flavours.

Key Regions: Ontario (Canada), Loire Valley (France), Bordeaux (France)

Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon is widely regarded as the king of red grapes. Young Cabernet Sauvignon can be aggressive with lots of drying, tannic bitterness. However, with some time in the cellar, a young Cabernet Sauvignon can age with extreme grace, producing some of the most complex wines in the world; as in the case of the great wines of France’s Bordeaux region and California’s Napa Valley. In cool climates Cabernet Sauvignon can be quite herbaceous and has some green pepper-like flavours, but when fully ripe it offers notes of cassis, mint and cedar.

Key Regions: Bordeaux (France), Napa Valley (California), Coonawarra (Australia), Rapel Valley (Chile)

Carmenère - Carmenère is a Bordeaux varietal that was once thought lost to the world until it was recently discovered growing throughout Chile. Although it is a minor blending grape in Bordeaux, Carmenère is considered Chile’s signature grape. When under ripe it offers green pepper notes, but when the grapes are picked when they are fully matured, Carmenère based wines have loads of mocha character in the nose and palate, combined with round, inviting textures.

Key Regions: Rapel Valley (Chile), Bordeaux (France)

Chardonnay – The most popular white wine grape in the world, Chardonnay is capable of growing in just about any conditions. The true character of Chardonnay is hard to know as it is often manipulated with oak. When not oaked, Chardonnay’s character ranges from steely and sharp with green apple flavours in cool climates to ripe and tropical when grown in warm climates. When oak-aged, Chardonnay often exhibits toasty, sweet vanilla and coconut notes and rich buttery flavours. A trend within the last decade has seen wineries reducing the amount of oak or eliminating it, in an effort to show off the true fruit character of Chardonnay.

Key Regions: Burgundy (France), California, Australia

Chenin Blanc – One of the most versatile white wine grapes, Chenin Blanc is capable of producing great dessert, sparkling, dry and off-dry white wines. In France it is known for making great off-dry wines (Vouvray) and dessert wines, however, it is most dominant in South Africa where it can make very good, fruity whites that often have a touch of residual sweetness.

Key Regions: Loire Valley (France), South Africa

Gamay Noir – Gamay is famous for producing a light, fruity Beaujolais. This grape variety is rarely grown outside of France, with the exception of Ontario where it is a relatively important grape.

Key Regions: Burgundy (France), Ontario (Canada)

Gewürztraminer – Gewürztraminer literally translates to spicy and dry but in reality the aromas and flavours of Gewürztraminer are more floral than spicy in nature. Most Gewürztraminers are very aromatic, full-bodied and quite dry, although New World versions from California and Australia often retain a little residual sweetness.

Key Regions: Alsace (France), California, Australia, British Columbia

Grenache – Grenache rarely gets a starring role outside of old vines versions from Spain and in France’s famed Chateauneuf de Pape appellation, where it often enjoys the largest proportion of the blend. Always fruity and rarely dark in colour, Grenache makes some of the best rosé wines in the world. Its soft nature also makes a great partner to the more fiery nature of Syrah/Shiraz. It is used to this effect not only in France but also in Australia, where small amounts of Grenache are typically blended with Shiraz.

Key Regions: Spain, France, Australia

L’Acadie Blanc – Nova Scotia’s signature grape makes dry white wines with white flower and citrus aromas and flavours. L’Acadie Vineyards has also proven the grape capable of making great sparkling and dessert wines.

Key Regions: Nova Scotia

Malbec – Although Malbec was banished from many Bordeaux vineyards, it definitely found a home in Argentina, where the grape produces dark inky red wines with juicy fruit flavours and soft tannins.

Key Regions: Mendoza (Argentina), Cahors (France), Bordeaux (France)

Merlot – Merlot is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world. The grape produces medium to full-bodied red wines with plumy fruit character and a characteristically soft, round finish. It is often produced as a single varietal wine but is also the most planted grape in Bordeaux, where it is blended with varying amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Key Regions: California, Bordeaux (France), Chile, Australia

Mouvedre – Also known as Monastrell in Spain and Mataro in Australia, this grape produces some of the biggest, meatiest styles of red wine. Its rich gamey character is often so strong that it is used in small percentages to beef up Syrah- and Grenache-based wines.

Key Regions: Southern France, Spain, Australia

Muscat – There are thousands of different varieties of Muscat but regardless of the exact parentage, all Muscat possess intensely aromatic and floral aromatic character. Muscat is often used to make dessert wines but even drier styles offer its classic exuberant floral perfume.

Key Regions: Southern France, Spain, Australia

Nebbiolo – One of the great grapes of Italy, the Nebbiolo is famous for producing the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Nebbiolo-based wines are among the longest lived of all Italian wines and can be quite acidic and tannic when young. There is however a trend in Barolo to make rounder, softer edged wines that are easier to drink when young. Look for aromas and flavours of tobacco, tar, violets and rose petals when drinking Nebbiolo-based wines.

Key Regions: Piedmont (Italy)

Pinot Gris/Grigio – Pinot Gris (Grigio in Northern Italy) is a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir, and when you pour a little in your glass you will often notice a slight pinkish hue which is due to the pigment in the grape’s skin. Pinot Gris makes full-bodied white wines with honey and floral aromas. Most consumers may be more familiar with Italian versions, which tend to be lighter in colour, weight and flavour compared to the traditional Pinot Gris.

Key Regions: Alsace (France), Oregon, Northern Italy

Pinot Noir – For many wine lovers, Pinot Noir is considered the greatest of all grapes and winemakers often consider it a lifelong challenge to make a great wine from the grape. A number of different clones of Pinot Noir exist in the world, making it difficult to peg its character. In general, Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates and the best have complex red berry, cherry and floral aromas and palates that have a remarkable balance of fruit flavours and acidity. The most memorable Pinot Noir wines are made in Burgundy, France, but New Zealand, Coastal California and Oregon are all vying for the world’s attention by making great wines from Pinot Noir.

Key Regions: Burgundy (France), New Zealand, Oregon, California

Riesling – Riesling is perhaps the most complex white wine grape in the world. The best and most famous Riesling originate from vineyards overlooking the Rhein River in Germany. In this cool environment, Riesling’s remarkable balance of sweet fruit flavours (peaches, apricot) and crisp acidity hits its zenith. Due to the mass exportation of cheap and sweet versions from Germany in the 1970s and 1980s, Riesling acquired a negative image. This is now disappearing as quality drier styles are emerging throughout the wine world, including Australia and increasingly Ontario, which is gaining an international reputation for the quality of its Riesling.

Key Regions: Germany, Clare Valley (Australia), Ontario, New Zealand, New York State

Sangiovese – Sangiovese is responsible for many of Italy’s greatest wines including Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Despite its association with Tuscany, Sangiovese is grown throughout Italy. Like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese possesses a remarkable balance of fruit character and acidity. Look for floral aromas and cherry fruit flavours. The sharp acidity of many Sangiovese-based wines makes it a phenomenal food wine capable of pairing with everything from simple pastas to beef.

Key Regions: Tuscany (Italy)

Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wine varietals thanks to its refreshing character. The best Sauvignon Blanc-based wines have intense aromas ranging from grassy, citrus and gooseberry fruit in cool climate regions to tropical fruit character in warmer climates. The best Sauvignon Blanc wines, such as those from Marlborough in New Zealand, often have a combination of both green and tropical fruit character. No matter where Sauvignon Blanc based wines tend to have tart refreshing acidity, making the wines ideal accompaniments to light, fresh food.

Key Regions: Marlborough (New Zealand), Loire Valley (France), Casablanca Valley (Chile)

Syrah/Shiraz – Syrah, also known as Shiraz, has been made internationally famous thanks to the success of Australian winemakers with this particular grape variety. However, its origins are more closely tied to France where it is known as Syrah. In France, Syrah finds its best expression in the wines of the Rhone Valley. Here it exhibits the grapes classic spicy character but often with a leathery note not associated with New World versions. In Australia, Shiraz displays the grapes typical peppery aromas but often has very rich, often jammy fruit flavours.

Key Regions: Rhone Valley (France), Australia

Tempranillo – Tempranillo is the classic grape of Spain, where it is known under a variety of names. The most famous Tempranillo-based wines are from the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. In Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo makes full-bodied expressive red wines often exhibiting aromas of tobacco, plum, berries and vanilla. In Rioja, Tempranillo is often aged longer in cask, softening some of its rougher edges and making the fruit flavours taste more dried in nature.

Key Regions: Ribera del Duero (Spain), Rioja (Spain)

Viognier – Viognier was almost extinct as of 1980 but is now enjoying a renaissance of interest. Viognier makes full-bodied white wines with floral and tropical fruit aromas. The intense fruit flavours of most Viognier-based wines can confuse the palate into thinking the wine is sweet despite it being completely dry.

Key Regions: Rhone Valley (France), California, Australia

Zinfandel – Zinfandel is considered America’s grape, despite its origins being linked to both Southern Italy and Croatia. In California, Zinfandel acts as a bit of a chameleon as it produces a wide range of styles ranging from light and fruity White Zinfandels, to berry-filled easy drinking red wines and even dense, spicy age-worthy red wines; the latter usually made from old vines found in California’s Amador County.

Key Regions: California