This document summarizes several popular white and red grape varieties used to make wine. It describes the origin, flavor profiles, and common styles of Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. The grapes originate from major wine regions in France and Germany but are now grown worldwide. Each variety tends to produce distinct aromatic qualities and varying levels of acidity, tannins and body depending on region and winemaking techniques.

1. Chardonnay
 Origin:Burgundy/France
 One of the world’smostpopularwhite grapes
 Is growninalmostall wine producingcountries
 Oftenoak-aged
 Chardonnay is a green-skinnedgrape varietyusedtomake white wine.
 “Fromthe elegant,"flinty"wines of Chablisto rich, buttery Meursaultsand New World wines
with tropicalfruit flavours”.
Riesling
 Origin:Rhine Regionof Germany
 Aromatic,delicate,fruity
 Naturallyhighinacidity
 Producedinall degreesof sweetness(dry tosweet)
 Great ageingpotential
 Bestin Germanyand Alsace butincreasinglygrowninNew Worldcountries
 Worldpopularstyle ‘ice wine’anddry,bon-dryandsweetstyle of Alsace andnew world.Itis
one of grape oftenusedforlate harvest.
Sauvignon Blanc
 Origin:Loire valley/France
 Aromatic,grassy,greenfruitcharacters,
 Naturallyhighinacidity
 Almostalwaysfermentedtodryness
 Grown all overthe world
 Bestdrunkyoung
 Sauvignonblancisa green-skinnedgrape variety
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
 Grown a lotin Alsace/France andItaly
 Full,softandsmokyof from Alsace,usuallyfresherandmore neutral fromItaly
 AlmostalwaysfermentedtodrynessinItaly
 Pinotgrisisa white wine grape varietywithared-skinned
Cabernet Sauvignon
 Origin:Bordeaux/France
 Black-currant,cassis
 Naturallyhighintannins
 Usuallyfull-bodied
 One of mostpopularredgrapesworldwide
 Good ageingpotential
 Oftenblendingpartner(e.g.withMerlot,Shiraz)
 crossingbetweenCabernetfrancandSauvignonblanc
 CabernetSauvignonisaredwine grape varietywithared-skinned

2. Merlot
 Origin:Bordeaux/France
 softerintannins withhintsof berry,plum, andcurrant. Its softnessand"fleshiness
 Mediumto full-bodied
 OftenblendedwithCabernetSauvignon
 Grown worldwide
 Merlotis a red wine grape varietywithared-skinned
Syrah/Shiraz
 Syrah = Frenchterm Shiraz= AustraliantermusedinmostNew Worldcountries
 Origin:Rhône Valley/France
 AlsogrownincreasinglyinNew worldcountries
 Black pepper, spicy,darkchocolate
 Usuallyfull-bodied
 Highin tannins
 Good ageingpotential
 Shirazis a redwine grape varietywithared-skinned
Pinot Noir
 Origin:Burgundy/France
 light-mediumbodiedwines
 usuallyrelativelylowintannins
 delicate aromasof strawberries,raspberries
 makesgoodwinesalsoinNewZealand,Oregon,California
 one of the 3 grape varietiesusedforChampagne production
 PinotNoirisa red wine grape varietywithared-skinned