7 Delicious Types Of Grape You Have To Try Right Now
Most people don’t take the time to expand their wine knowledge about the different types of
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Many of the wine variations we drink today are the product of a mutation or
And what better place to start out than some of the most popular and robust grapes along with tasty and affordable recommendations!
White Wines
1 - Riesling
Riesling has the reputation of being a sweet wine. The grapes grown in Germany or California tend to be on the sweeter side. While grapes
Also, most of the top shelf Rieslings will be less sweet than the bottom shelf brands. The wine itself has much more complexity in its flavors than meets the eye -- or nose. While your nose may tell you that the wine is sweet, your mouth may tell you otherwise. The flavor of a sweet-smelling Riesling can be dry.
Another trick to determining how sweet your wine will be without even popping the cork is to compare the alcohol content. Rieslings with higher alcohol content tend to be drier while Rieslings with lower alcohol content tend to be sweeter.
Flavors
Riesling is one of the most aromatic grape varieties with hints of nectarine, apples, apricots, peaches, and pears.The best aging wines are high in acidity, which makes Riesling a prime candidate for aging.
Pairing
You may want to order a glass of Riesling with seafood, chicken, vegetables, or Asian and Indian cuisine.
Favorite brand: Blakeslee Vineyard Estate
Best value brand: Heron Hill Winery
2 - Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer (pronounced
The Gewurztraminer grape originated near the village of Termeno (this is where “
Many wine enthusiasts refer to Gewurztraminer as the grown-up version of Moscato since it is higher in alcohol content and more full-bodied.
Flavors
The most dominant flavors are lychee, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, apricot, orange, and cantaloupe.
Keep a close eye on how you are feeling after a few glasses of this sweeter white. The tough skin of the grapes attains higher sugar levels, thus making you more prone to a sugar headache.
Pairing
Try a glass of Gewurztraminer with a rich, fatty dish like pork, goose, or ripe cheese. This wine also pairs well with the exotic spices in Moroccan, Indian, and Eastern dishes.
Favorite brand: Fitz-Ritter
Best value brand: Dr. Konstantin Frank is also a great value with a 94-point rating!
3 - Chardonnay
Chardonnay is my personal go-to when I am out for drinks or dinner since it is so versatile.
The Chardonnay grape is the most popular grape in the world for producing white wine, champagne, sparkling wine, and dessert wine. It has become so popular that it now has its own holiday on May 21st. So don’t forget to mark your calendars for a good excuse to open up a chilled bottle of Chardonnay.
Recent research from UC Davis suggests that the Chardonnay grape is the result of a cross between Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Gouais Blanc.
Flavors
Chardonnay’s most prominent flavor is oak. Grapes that are riper will have tropical flavors like pineapple, mango, and guava. Also less ripe grapes will have more tart flavors like apple and lemon.
Another significant factor in the taste of Chardonnay is the way it was aged. Grapes aged in oak barrels will bring more buttery or vanilla flavors while grapes aged in stainless steel barrels will be crisper.
Pairing
The best dish to pair with a good glass of Chardonnay is, well, pretty much anything. You want to stay on the lighter side of meats like chicken, veal, and pork. But Chardonnay pairs well with almost any type of seafood and cheese. The possibilities are endless!
Favorite brand: Vine Cliff Winery
Best value brand: Peirano
4 - Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape on the dry side of the spectrum. It still provides refreshing qualities. Originally nicknamed “sauvage”, which is French for “wild”.
The name stems from the bold flavor changes by Robert Mondavi. In a time of disinterest in the original grape’s “sweet, watery, and characterless” flavors, Mondavi embraced and emphasized the bitterness and made Sauvignon Blanc into a bold, memorable flavor.
Flavors
You will recognize flavors like apples, melons, peppers, and smoke. The grape is grassier when picked early, and fruitier when picked late.
Cat’s pee is the strangest aroma that some wine drinkers have smelled and tasted in Sauvignon Blanc. This is how most people describe the smell of a spoilage yeast called Brettanomyces.
Pairing
Sauvignon Blanc pairs best with food a little on the lighter, simpler side. Think grilled fish, salads, sushi, and grilled chicken.
Favorite brand: Palacio de Bornos
Best value brand: PKNT
Red Wines
5 - Syrah
Syrah – also known as Shiraz – is one of the most full-bodied, deepest colored grapes on the spectrum. Its grape’s skin is so dark that it almost has a blue tint to it.
When Syrah came from France to Australia, the local winemakers started calling it Shiraz instead of its original name. The reasoning is unknown, but wine experts suggest it is just another unique Australian twist on an old name.
Grapes grown in hot climates will also have softer tannins – which is the compound that makes your mouth dry as you drink.
Syrah is also high in antioxidants, which make this wine a heart-healthy choice – as long as you drink in moderation.
Flavors
The region in which the grape was grown will determine the characteristics. Grapes grown in hot climates will ripen more easily. They will produce wines with riper fruit flavors like blackberry, plum, licorice, and leather.
While grown in moderate climates, they will taste spicier with notes of pepper, mint, and smoke.
Pairing
Syrah is best when paired with meats like lamb, pork or beef. Also with foods with high umami factors (mushrooms, tomatoes, anchovies parmesan cheese, seaweed, etc.).
Favorite brand: Lucky Dogg
Best value brand: value brand: Vino De Eyzaguirre
6 - Merlot
Merlot is the Chardonnay of red wine. It is very versatile and great with many different cuisines.
Merlot’s versatility along with its ability to tame strong tannins also makes it an ideal blending grape.
The term “Merle” in French means blackbird, referring to the dark-blue hue of its grapes.
Merlot is also comparable to Cabernet Sauvignon in the sense that they were originally bred in the same region (Bordeaux, France), although the two have most differences in their acidity and tannin levels.
Flavors
The most prominent flavors and aromas in Merlot include plum, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries, and chocolate.
Pairing
The wine is best when paired
Favorite brand: Wakefield
Best value brand: Rios de Chile
7 - Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the successful result of an accidental breeding between the red Cabernet Franc grape and white Sauvignon Blanc grape.
This accident birthed the most popular grape among American wine drinkers today.
The grape gained its popularity from winemakers. The ideal thick, durable skin making it adaptable to different soil types and climates.
The grape’s healthy level of tannins makes it a great wine for aging. Cabernet Sauvignon is a great standalone wine and a prime grape for blending. It is hard to miss as you walk down the aisles of your local liquor or grocery store.
Flavors
The most notable flavors include green pepper, tobacco, cassis, dark fruits, and vanilla.
Pairing
Some wine drinkers will argue that Cabernet Sauvignon is better with food than without.
The full-body and medium acidity make the wine a great pair with a variety of dishes including lamb, beef, pork, or venison.
Favorite brand: Crane Family Vineyards
Best value brand: SeaGlass
Conclusion
Now that you know more about the “gray areas” – or better yet, the pinkish-yellowish-purplish areas – will your next wine choice be more than just white or red?
We have just barely explored the tip of the wine iceberg with these 7 types of grape. I hope this provided you with a strong foundation when choosing your next wine to enjoy with a meal, sip on its own, or pair with hors d’oeuvres and dessert.
Which type of grape from the list above are you most excited about trying or tasting in a different way next time? Please share your thoughts in the comments and share with your friends who love exploring the wonderful world of wine!
