Category: Grape varieties

Taste: Big and intense with red fruit flavors of raspberry and cranberry (cooler regions) and rich juicy flavors of blackberry and plum, accompanied by the spiciness of pepper, clove and cinnamon (warmer regions). Oak adds additional vanilla, cedar and smoky notes. Body: Full Tannin: Medium to high Acidity: Medium to high Age: Best enjoyed within a few years of…

Taste: Rich and complex with aromas of red and black fruits, accompanied by characteristic tomato and olive fragrances as the wine matures, followed by flavors of plum, cherry, raspberry, fig, tapenade, earth and spice. With age, additional flavors of leather, licorice, and clove can develop.

Taste: Modern barrel fermented Viura is rich and creamy with aromas of wild flowers, citrus and stone fruits, followed by flavors of grapefruit, lemon, apricot and pear. Oak contact contributes additional vanilla and toasty notes. Body: Generally full when barrel fermented (otherwise light to medium). Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium Age: Drink within a few years, but the best…

Taste: Complex floral aroma with scents of honeysuckle, orange blossom and primroses is followed by stone fruit flavors of apricot and peach, along with spicy and herbal notes. Body: Full with a silky richness Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Low Age: Drink while young. Other: An interesting alternative to oaked Chardonnay. Tends to be high in alcohol. Description Viognier (vee-oh-NYAY) is…

Taste: Very refreshing with aromas of citrus fruits, herbs, bay leaf, almonds and floral notes, followed by flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, pear, melon and even tropical fruits, as well as a distinct mineral edge. Body: Light to medium, but can also be full. Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink while young and fresh. Aka: Also…

Taste: Aromas of apples, lemons, stone fruits, herbs and nuts are followed by flavors of apricot, lime, peach, pear and toasted almonds, along with a mineral edge and a pleasant, slightly tart aftertaste. If oak is used in the production of the wine, additional vanilla and even coconut flavors may be present and notes of honey…

Taste: Crisp, yet soft, with tropical and stone fruit flavors of melon, apricot, peach and pear. Can develop additional nutty and honey flavors with age. Body: Light to medium (can be full) Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Drink while young and fresh, but the best wines age well. Description Verdejo (ver-DAY-ho) is one of Spain’s finest white grape…

Taste: Generally produces neutral, if refreshing, wines with faint citrus aromas, followed by clean citrus fruit flavors and some almond notes on the finish. Body: Light Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Drink as soon as possible (will not age). Aka: Also known as Ugni Blanc in France. Other: In Italy it is the main component of Frascati and Orvieto wines. Description Trebbiano (treb-BYAH-no)…

Taste: A richly aromatic fragrance of violets gives way to black fruit flavors of blackberry and mulberry on the palate, along with spicy black pepper notes. Body: Full Tannin: High Acidity: Medium to high Age: Needs to age for a few years to soften its tannic structure. Description Touriga Nacional (too-REE-gah na-son-AL) is native to Portugal and many consider it…

Taste: Pronounced floral aromas of rose and jasmine are followed by citrus and stone fruit flavors of lemons, nectarines and peaches as well as apples, grapefruit and a hint of spice. Body: Medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink while young – preferably within a year of the vintage. Description Torrontés (tor-RON-tayz) is a specialty of…