Many special occasions and milestones in life are best celebrated with a good bottle of wine. Whether that be a wedding, housewarming, birthday, or a job promotion, a good glass of wine can top off the event and add more merriment.
We all know that wine comes from grapes. However, not all wines are created equal. The taste, type, and texture of a wine changes depending on the grape variety that was used and the fermentation process it went through. Aside from that, the region where the grape variety was
grown also affects the overall taste and fruitiness of the wine. In this article, you’ll be learning the most common grapes that are used in making wine.
To make it easier, this article divides wines into two major categories: red and white wine. The first category looks at the five most common grapes that are used to make red wine, while the second discusses the five types of grape varieties that are used for white wine. In all, it discusses ten
varieties of grapes that are harvested and processed for winemaking.
5 Most Common Grapes Used To Make Red Wine
Everyone loves a glass of red wine. It is not only because of its rich, full-bodied texture, or its aroma or flavor, but it is mostly because of its taste and the health benefits one can get from it. Red wine is great for the eyes and the heart. Aside from that, it can go well with a hearty meal like steaks and grilled meat. For a wine so good, it’s not uncommon to wonder how it’s made. So, below are the five most popular grapes used in making red wine.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular grapes used to make red wine all over the world. The rich flavors it produces all-year-round is the main reason why this variety is so popular. When the climate is cold, you can depend on it to produce wines with Blackcurrant flavors, Mint, or Cedar. You can still have your Blackcurrant with black Olives even in moderate climate conditions. In warm climates, it keeps its flavors and tannins intact. This particular variety is known as the grape of all seasons, and it’s also renowned for its ability to age gracefully. If you want to know how this grape tastes like, you can take a look at Usual Wines, they have a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon that is available for special occasions. - Pinot Noir
While the Cabernet Sauvignon is dubbed as the grape of all seasons, the Pinot Noir is actually the variety that is widely used by most manufacturers and winemakers to create red wine. This variety gets better as it ages, which makes it a popular choice among wine lovers and enthusiasts. The sweet Cherry and Berry flavors it produces becomes a complex mixture of barnyard and vegetal as its shelf life increases. This contributes to its appeal. It is famous for being the variety used for the Italian Franciacorta red wine, among others. - Syrah
Syrah grapes are also known as Shiraz. It is mostly planted and grown In the Rhône region of France. It can also be found in some places in Australia. The intense taste of its fruity flavors like
Plum and Blueberry makes it a top choice for some wine lovers. When mixed with Grenache Mourvèdre, it adds a full-bodied texture to the wine. The end product has a beefy taste and dry quality to it. - Merlot
This grape is famous for producing the Bordeaux. It is usually mixed with the Cabernet Franc to achieve its signature rich red taste and color. The grape itself feels velvety with the sweet fruity aroma of Blueberry. Surprisingly, this variety can be grown in many parts of the world, including the United States of America and Italy. - Zinfandel
Zinfandel may not be popular all over the world today, but it used to be the second most popular grape to make red wine. Zinfandel is famous for its rich, sweet, and high alcohol content. It was popularly known as the ‘Bordeaux of California’ during the gold rush since the variety is planted
and harvested mostly in the area. Although Zinfandel has decreased in popularity now, its wines are still of great quality and are well-known for their highly juicy content.
5 Most Common Grapes For White Wine
Now that we are done with red wines, let’s go to the other most popular wine variety. White Wines are renowned for their refreshing, light characteristics and intense aroma. Some of the grape varieties used for white wine are found exclusively in certain regions only. However, some
types can also be grown and harvested in many parts of the world. Below are the five most popular grape varieties used to make white wine.
- Chardonnay
The Chardonnay grape is known for its neutrality. This neutral flavor is a major advantage as it allows it to absorb different flavors, making it an ideal ingredient in most white wines. The grape is green in color, and this influences the sparkling clear appearance of most white wines. You
can pair this wine with food like Turkey, Chicken, and Salmon. - Riesling
The Riesling grape originated from the Rhine in Germany. It is a very aromatic variety and also highly acidic. It is suitable for the production of sweet wines, dry-sweet, or even semi-sweet wines. This type of grape is considered to be the best for producing pure white wines and is
highly distinguishable due to its sweet, flowery aroma. - Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is another popular variety that is used to make white wines. It is known to possess sweet aromas of Grapefruit and grass. As a wine, it is usually kept to age in stainless steel. This procedure is done to preserve its freshness, aroma, and acidity. - Airen
This particular grape was first noticed in the hot regions of Spain. Now, it is widely popular not just in Spain, but all over the world. This variety is also known to be highly resistant to both drought and pest-related diseases. This means that they can be grown anywhere and is available
all-year-round. Wines made from Airen grapes are less acidic compared to those made from Sauvignon Blanc. They are also rich with fruity aromas of Grapefruit and Pineapple. - Pinot Blanc
This grape is primarily grown in the Burgundy region of France. It is also known in Italy and Spain and famous for its sweet fruity flavors and floral features. White wines that are made using Pinot Blanc do not need to be aged and are therefore best consumed immediately.
Conclusion
Your wine is just as important as the grapes that are used to make them. Having an understanding of these wines can help you pick the best wine that is available near your region at a certain time of the year. It also makes you appreciate each wine even more, as you savor the taste and flavors with each sip.