Category: Grape varieties

Taste: Smooth and round with aromas of flowers, red berries and herbs followed by flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry, along with earthy notes and a slightly spicy (pepper) finish. Body: Medium to full (but light if yields are high) Tannin: Medium to high (typically soft) Acidity: Medium Age: Ready to drink on release, but can improve for a…

Taste: A characterful wine with aromas of violets, candied red fruit, dark berries, black pepper and spice, followed by lively flavors of raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and plum, leading to a bitter cherry and peppery finish. The best wines can be complex and age well. Body: Light to Medium (but can be full) Tannin: Medium to high Acidity: Medium…

Taste: A soft, silky texture with flavors of strawberry, raspberry and plum, accompanied by some vegetal notes in cooler climates, which change to blackberry and black cherry, with additional chocolate and fruitcake flavors in hotter climates. Body: Medium to full Tannin: Low to medium Acidity: Low to medium Age: Most should be drunk young as only the finest wines…

Taste: Light and refreshing with aromas of red and black fruits giving way to flavors of raspberry, cherry, plum and blackcurrant, which can be accompanied by mineral, spicy and herbal notes. Body: Light to medium Tannin: Medium Acidity: Medium to high Age: At its best when young and fresh. Aka: Also known as Jaen in Portugal. Description Mencia (men-THEE-ah) is a…

Taste: Smooth and soft with aromas of bramble fruits, cassis and ripe cherry that can be accompanied by spicy notes of cinnamon and clove. On the palate, flavors of raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and plum are followed by notes of toast and vanilla if the wine is fermented, or aged in oak. Body: Medium Tannin: Medium…

Taste: Rich texture with aromas of hedgerow flowers and flavors of melon, peach and apricot. Oak adds additional honey, nut and spice flavors as the wine matures. Body: Full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Low to medium Age: Drink within a few years of release. Aka: Also known as Hermitage Blanc, Ermitage, Grosse Roussette and Marsana. Description Marsanne (MAHR-san) is a…

Taste: Floral aromas and a complex structure with delicate flavors of peach, pear, nuts and spice, along with mineral notes. Body: Full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium Age: May be drunk within the first few years, but the best wines need about ten years to fully develop and those from Hermitage may need up to 20 years. Description Marsanne…

Taste: A violet bouquet with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, cherry and plum, accompanied by notes of spice and tobacco. Body: Full Tannin: Medium to high Acidity: Low Age: Most should be enjoyed within a few years, but the best wines from Cahors age extremely well gaining complexity. Aka: Also known as Auxerrois and Cot. Description Malbec (MAHL-bek) originated in France,…

Taste: Intense aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossom, rose petals and stone fruits, followed by flavors of apricot, melon, peach and pear. Can also include additional tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple. Oaked examples, more typical of the Rich style, are fuller in body with additional flavors of vanilla and spice. Body: Light to medium, but can…

Taste: Aromas of red and black fruit with pronounced flavors of red cherry, redcurrant, plum and blackberry, along with the spiciness of black pepper. Body: Light to medium Tannin: Medium Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink while young and fruity. Aka: Also known as Blaufränkisch in Austria, Kékfrankos in Hungary and as Frankovka in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Lemberger is sometimes spelt…