THE GODDESS OF WINES  HOME PAGE Wine Varieties: A varietal wine is a wine made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine label. Of all the different grape varieties there are only 9 Classic Wine Varieties REDS Cabernet Sauvignon: Merlot: Pinot Noir: Syrah: WHITES Chardonnay: Chenin Blanc: Riesling: Savignon Blanc: Semillon: White Grape Varietals Albarino / Alvarinho - Is a green skinned grape native to Galicia on the north Atlantic coast of Spain. This White Wine pairs perfectly with it's peach, citrus and mineral characters with seafood. Arneis - Arneis is both the name of a Wine and the grape from which it is made. The name means "little rascal" in the Piemontese dialect. The Arneis earned it's name becuase it was difficult to grow. Chardonnay - Is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production White Wine. Chardonnay comes in a wide variety of styles which makes it easy to pair with a larger variety of foods. Chenin Blanc - Is a White Wine grape variety from the Loire Valley of France. It's high acidity means it can be used to make everything from Sparkling Wines to Dessert Wines Furmint - Is a white Hungarian Wine grape variety grown in the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine region where it is used to produce single-varietal Dry Wines. Furmint is also the principal grape in Tokaji Dessert Wines. Garganega - Is a White Italian Wine grape grown in the Veneto region of North East Italy, primarily in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. Garganega is Italy's 6th most widely planted white grape. Gewurztraminer - Gewurztraminer in German is a sweet White Wine. It is one of the most distinctively aromatic grapes in the world, with scents of rose petals, lychee and ginger. Gruner Veltliner - Is a White Wine grape variety grown primarily in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The Wine hints flavors of green pepper and lime which pairs well with many summer dishes. Malvasia - Is a group of Wine grape varieties. Malvasia is responsible for producing a range of Red and White Wine styles which include dry, seet and sparkling styles of Wine. Marsanne - Is a White Wine grape commonly found in the Northern Rhone region and is often blended with Roussanne. Muller / Thurgau - Is a white grape variety which was created by Hermann Muller from the Swiss Canton of Thurgau in 1882. It is a crossing of Riesling with Madeleine Royale. The Wine is Pale straw-yellowish in color. It's aromatic nose shows notes of nutmeg, nettle and white peach. Muscadet - Is a white French Wine. It is made at the western end of the Loire Valley, near the city of Nantes in the Pays de la Loire region neighboring the Brittany Region. The Wine is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape which is often referred to as melon. Pinot Blanc - It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane which produces white fruit. Pinot Blanc is a full-bodied dry white wine with typical apple, pear and citrus aromas. It is also the primary grape variety used in Sparkling Cremant d'Alsace Wine. Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris - Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio or Grauburgunder is a White Wine grape. A grayish-blue fruit is normally produced but can also have a brownish pink to black and even white appearance. Prosecco - It is made from Glera grapes, formerly known also as Prosecco. However other grape varieties may be included. The name comes from the Italian village of Prosecco near Trieste, where the grape and Wine both originated. Prosecco is a sweet Sparkling White Wine. Riesling - Is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety with light flowery aromas and has ahigh acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling White Wines. Roussanne - Is a White Wine grape grown originally in the Rhone Wine region in France and is often blended with Marsanne. The Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation also allows it to be blended into Red Wines. Sauvignon Blanc - Is a green skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. Sauvignon Blanc tastes different from other White Wines because of it's green and herbaceous flavors. Semillon - Is a golden-skinned grape used to make dry and sweet White Wines predomindently in France and Australia. Semillon Wine hints of lemon, apple, pear and green papaya flavors when the grapes are picked fully ripe. Less ripe grapes produce Wines that have more acidity and often resemble Sauvignon Blanc with hints of lemon, lime and grapefruit flavors. Torrontes - Is an Argentine White Wine grape which produces fresh, aromatic wines with a moderate acidity and a smooth texture. The nose has distinctive peach and apriocot aromas. Verdejo - Grown in the Rueda region of Spain this grape variety was generally used to make a strongly oxidized, Sherry-like wine. The Wine features notes of apricot, peach, fennel, green almond shell, and anise, with hints of freshly cut hay. Viognier - Is the only grape permitted for the French Wine Condrieu in the Rhone Valley. Viognier's aromas include peach, tangerine, and honeysuckle. When aged in oak barrels the Wine produced can add hints of vanilla and a creamy texture. TOP OF PAGE

Red Grape Varietals Aglianico - Aglianico is a black grape grown in the southern regions of Italy, mostly Basilicata and Campania Barbera - Barbera is a red wine grape variety from the hills of Piedmont, northern Italy. It is the country's third most commonly planted red-wine variety, after Sangiovese and Montepulciano. Although commonly used in blends Blaufrankisch - (aka Lemberger and Kekfrankos) is a black-skinned wine grape grown widely in Austria and Hungary, and to a lesser extent in neighboring Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Croatia. In Austria, Blaufrankisch is the second most popular red-wine variety behind Zweigelt. Classic Austrian Blaufrankisch wines are intensely colored, medium - bodied reds with brooding, black - fruit flavors and a hint of peppery spice. Cabernet Franc - It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone. It's savory, bell pepper - like flavors, medium - high acidity and mouthwatering taste makes it an ideal food pairing wine. Cabernet Sauvignon - In the seventeenth century In southwestern France during the 17th century, an accidental breeding occurred between a red Cabernet Franc grape plant and a white Sauvignon Blanc grape plant. The result was Cabernet Sauvignon which has become the most popular grape among American wine drinkers. Carignan - From the Rioja region of northern Spain. Cariganan is the third most planted varietal in Spain. Often used in Spain as a blending grape Carignan is rarely made as a varietal wine. Characteristics of dark and black fruits, pepper, licorice, and spicy and savory accents. Carmenere - Carmenere is mostly used as a blending grape. Some wineries do bottle a pure varietal Carmenere. When produced from grapes at an optimal ripeness it mparts a cherry-like, fruity flavor with smoky, spicy and earthy notes and a deep crimson color. Its taste might also be reminiscent of dark chocolate, tobacco, and leather. Cinsault - Cinsault is a red wine grape important in Languedoc-Roussillon and the former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco. It is often blended with grapes such as Grenache and Carignan to add softness and bouquet. Corvina - Corvina is an Italian red wine grape variety that is sometimes also referred to as Corvina Veronese or Cruina. The wine tend to be light and fragrant with notes of cherries, strawberries and nuts. Dolcetto - Is a black Italian wine grape variety widely grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. Gamay - purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Grenache - Garnacha is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Fantastic wine for classic fall and winter dishes like roasted vegetables, prime rib, rack of lamb and Beef. Malbec - With it's robust tannins Malbec is one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. It is a full-bodied red wine that grows mostly in Argentina. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish. Merlot - Is the second most popular red grape in America after Cabernet Sauvignon. While single varietal Merlot is bottled more today than it has been in the past, Merlot is still recognized as a terrific blending partner for other varietals. Most of the Merlot is grown in france and often blended with Cabernet and or Sangiovese. Mourvedre - MonastrellMourvedre (aka Monastrell) is a full-bodied and rustic wine that originated in Spain. Rumor has it that the seafaring Phoenicians brought it over as early as 500 B.C. Seemingly obscure, Mourvedre is actually used quite often as a blending grape in popular wines such as Chateauneuf du Pape. Nebbiolo - Is a full-bodied red wine more famously known by the two production regions of Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont, Italy. Nebbiolo wines are translucent similar to Pinot. They have a delicate smell that greets with robust tannins. Norton - Norton's origins go back to one of America's founding fathers and his attempt to find a grape that could produce a wine similar to the libations produced in the Old World. Nortons are deeply colored, age-worthy wines with rich, fruity aromas and flavors of plums and tart cherries, and can be made into remarkable varietal wines or combined with other varieties to boost richness in blends. Norton pairs with red meat, especially smoked meats, or with wild game, rockfish, or hearty cheeses. Petit Verdot - Is a red wine grape, principally used in classic Bordeaux blends. Petite Sirah - Sirah's berries although are small is one of the biggest, most powerful and tannic wines produced in America. Pinotage - Is a red wine grape grown in South Africa. It was bred in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut. The grapes produce deep red varietal wines with smoky, bramble and earthy flavors, sometimes with notes of bananas and tropical fruit. Pinotage is often blended, and also made into red sparkling wine. Pinot Noir - The tannins can be silky, soft and pleasant, while acidity adds crispness. A mature Pinot Noir wine can display a variety of flavors and aromas to include figs, violets, chocolate and prunes. Primitivo - Black, fruit-filled, jammy Primitivo wines have a low acidity and medium tannins. The wine is intensely flavored and deeply colored. Rhone Blends - Bordeaux wines are dominated by grape varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and a few white varietals such as Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Red Rhone wines typically consist of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Sangiovese - Young Sangiovese grapes produce a wine which has fresh fruity flavours of strawberry and a little spiciness when aged in Oak Barrels. Although not as aromatic as other red wine varieties such as Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, Sangiovese often has a flavor of sour red cherries with earthy aromas and tea leaf notes. Wines made from Sangiovese usually have medium tannins and a high acidity. Syrah / Shiraz - Syrah/Shiraz flavors and aromas include peppers, berries, currants, and even chocolate. Syrah grapes originated in France's Rhone valley and their use in wines is traced back to the Romans and Greeks. Syrah is usually bottled alone as a varietal wine but can be blended with other grapes like Cabernet and Grenache. Tannat - Although it is a French grape, Tannat grows remarkably well throughout the new world. Tannat is a full bodied wine with juicy fruit flavors, including plum and raspberry, and tends to be high in acidity. It is usually produced as a single varietal wine in Virginia. It's smoky character makes it a perfect pairing for sausage, roasted meats, and strong aged cheeses. Tempranillo - A black grape variety native to Spain is grown to make full-bodied red wines. This wine is food-friendly with soft tannins, modest alcohol, and bright acidity. Zinfandel - Is a black skinned grape which produces a dry, semi-sweet, or sweet bold tasting wine. Zinfandel has moderate tannins and is high in acidity. Zinfandel wines generally have a higher alcohol level ranging from about 14 - 17percent.