This week’s post will be all about the essential wine varietals, also known as the Noble Grapes. Some organizations say there are as many as 18 and some say there are as few as 6. The National Wine School (NWS), where I got my training, says there are 9, with the rest being regional or local. The whites are Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The reds are Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In addition to their organoleptic properties (smell & taste), all wines are defined by how acidic they are (tart & sour taste) and their body (texture or “weight” in your mouth). Reds are further defined by how tannic they are (bitterness, dryness, & complexity). Finally, each grape type grows best in a specific climate (range of temperature & moisture). I will do my to keep it simple, just covering the basics.
Try to picture the whites on a “slide” going down from left to right, with Riesling at the top, Sauv. Blanc in the middle, and Chard. at the bottom. The Riesling typically smells and/or tastes citric (orange), stone fruit (plum), floral (honey suckle), mineral (river rocks), and petrol (gas). It’s high in acid, low in body, and grows best in a cool continental climate. The Sauv. Blanc is typically citric (grapefruit), tropical fruit (mango), vegetative (grassy), and mineral. It’s medium for both acid & body, and grows best in a cool or warm continental climate. The Chardonnay is typically tropical & orchard fruit (apple), mineral, and butter & vanilla, if oak barrel aged. It’s low in acid, high in body, and grows best in a cool continental climate. Many Chardonnay producers are getting away from oak aging, as taste preferences have changed.
For the reds, picture the same slide, with the Pinot Noir & Sangio. at the top, the Syrah & Grenache in the middle, and Cab. Sauv. & Merlot at the bottom. The P.N. & Sangio. have many factors in common. Both have red cherry & earthiness. The P. N. has a floral (rose petal) scent, while the Sangio. has leather & spices. They both are high acid, low body, and low for tannins. The Pinot is your classic cool continental, while the Sangio. is either cool or warm continental. The Syrah (Shiraz) & Grenache (Garnacha) are related. Both have dark fruit and spice scents, while the Syrah is unique to pepper & game. The Grenache is unique to lavender (rosemary). Both are medium to acid, body, & tannins. Likewise, both are adaptable to many climates, but grow best in warm continental to Mediterranean regions. Finally, the Cab. Sauv. & Merlot grapes are almost genetically identical! They both have dark fruit, herbs, spices, floral, and earthy organoleptic properties. They are medium for acid and high for body & tannins. Lastly, they are vigorous grapes that grow almost anywhere, but prefer warm continental to Mediterranean climates.
That should be more than enough for now. Next week will be the Wine of the Month for April. Be sure to check it out. Cheers!