A bit of history…

• It is believed that grapes were first cultivated in the region between the Black and Caspian Seas (near northern Iran) as early as 6000 B.C.
• Grape seeds were found in Switzerland and Italy which dated 4000 B.C.
• The Phoenicians traders brought grapes to Egypt in 3000 B.C.
• Viticulture or the cultivation of grapes spread to Greece in 2000 B.C. and then on to Italy, Sicily and North Africal in 1000 B.C.

Variety of Grapes

Today…

There are hundreds of grape varieties produced worldwide today. Of these hundreds of varieties only a small portion of these are are used for wine production. Other varieties are based on table, juice and raisin production. Table grapes (those that we eat) differ from wine grapes in that they have a lower sugar content and are more flavorful. These grapes take about 8 to 10 weeks to mature and the majority of them don’t do well in wine production. The exception to that would be the Muscat grape which is a table grape as well as successful wine grape. Wine grapes tend to be more aromatic with a higher skin to pulp ratio than table grapes. They also have a higher sugar content which lends itself to greater triumph in the fermentation process.

White Wine Grapes

There are some classics when it comes to white wine grapes:

Chardonnay Grape

Chardonnay – This is probably the most famous of all white wine grapes. This fruit is originally from Burgundy. Its adaptability, however, makes it easy to grow in a variety of places including Mendoza, Napa Valley and the Barossa Valley. Winemakers enjoy working with this grape because it is so pliant. They can tailor it to the demands of the market.  Key flavors of this grape include butter, peachy, toasty, vanilla and walnut flavor. 

Sauvignon Blanc Grape

Sauvignon Blanc – This is one of the most distinctive white grapes because of its stimulating high acidity and its fresh, grassy aroma. This grape originated in the Loire Valley of France (around Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). However, towards the latter part of the 1980′s, sauvignon blanc wines from Malborough, New Zealand started making a name for themselves. Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley often appears smoky in character but the Malborough sauvignon blancs are fruity, with incredible intensity and clarity. Key flavors of this grape include cut grass, flint, currant leaves or gooseberries.

Riesling Grape

Riesling – This grape originated in Germany but has since been successfully cultivated in Australia, New Zealand, California and Canada. Reislings are fruity and light. They range sweetness from bone-dry to extremely sweet. Their alcohol content also ranges from 8 percent or less in the Germany wines to about 14 percent in Australian wines. Key flavors included citrus (specifically lime), fresh apple, floral hints, honey and other fruits like apricot and peaches.

Other great white wine grapes that may not be as common to novice include:

Chenin Blanc Grape

Chenin Blanc – One of the least popular of the French varieties this grape, if not handled appropriately or if unripe, can produce some of the tartest and nastiest wine. However, when handled and used appropriately this grape can be used in a variety of styles including sweet, bone-dry and even sparkling wines. It originates from Anjou-Touraine in the Loire Valley. Key flavors include floral, straw and honey flavors.

Gewurztraminer Grape

Gewurztraminer – This grape has a unique pink color and produces a full-bodied, golden yellow wine with a slightly oily texture. It’s aroma is of unforgettable rose petals, lychee or ginger. This wine is usually very easy for a novice (after the initial experience) to recognize because of it’s dark color and powerful aroma. This grape is grown in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Alsace. It can also be find in Washington state and Oregon as well as New Zealand. 

Pinot Gris/Grigio, Semillon, and Viognier are also white grapes that make some great wines and that a worth you looking further into. 

Red Wine Grapes

Some of the classics include:

Cabernet Sauvignon Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon – This is to red wine what chardonnay is to white. This grape originated in Bordeaux but has been planted and successfully cultivated in California, Chile, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Vin de Pays d’Oc region (France), Tuscany and even Romania. These are just a few of the places this thick-skinned, dark blue grape can be found. This grape is very adaptable, however, it will not mature fully in climates that are really cold. It, also, will not flourish in extremely hot environments. Key flavors are chocolate, mint, and black currant. It also takes on the flavors of the oak barrel while it’s aging, producing additional flavors of vanilla and toast.

Pinot Noir Grape

Pinot Noir – This grape can either be the best thing that has happened to a winemaker or the worst. Pinot noir grapes are very finicky about their climate, soil and the way it is handled. However, if all conditions are optimal this grape can produce a wondeful wine that is low in tannins and acidity. The grape originates from Burgundy and is now being grown California, Oregon, New Zealand and Australia with very favorable outcome. Key flavors for pinot noir include roses, violets, raspberries, strawberries and truffles. This grape works well in French oak but not in American oak. 

Syrah/Shiraz Grape

Syrah/Shiraz – This grape is the king of producing deep, dark, full-bodied, spicy wines. It originates in the northern Rhone Valley, however, in Australia, huge plantings of shiraz are found. This grape produces some expensive, top-of-the line wines. However, in some places like Australia it is served as an everyday wine. Key flavors in northern Rhone tend to be of blackberries, black currants and raspberries). In Australia, the key flavors include an exotic spicy, chocolaty element. 

Merlot Grape

Merlot – This grape got a bad reputation in the movie “Sideways”. It’s unfortunate, too, because there are some very delicious merlots out there. It is similar to cabernet sauvignon but not as potent. It has a lusher, softer approach. It enjoys aging in oak and produces a plummy flavor. This grape has been widely planted in Bordeaux but does very well in a host of other places including St.-Emilion, Pomerol, Casablanca, Washington State and even California.

Other reds wine grapes you should seek out when making your wine selections include, mourvedre, sangiovese, petite sirah and my favorite zinfandel.

This listing is by no means all-inclusive. There are so many wine grape varieties out there. Next time you are out making your wine purchase try a different grape variety. You will broaden your tasting experience and you may just find a new wine jackpot. 

Until next time, drink responsibly.

Have you ever stopped to think about what goes into creating that wine label on your favorite bottle of vino? Well I am here to share with you that it’s more than what you may think. The design of the label takes much work but there is also a different component that has to be considered, the regulatory requirements of labels. That is correct…in the United States wine labels have to be  approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

The requirements for wines sold in the U.S include the following:

• Brand Name
• Indication of Class or Type (i.e. desert wine or table wine)
• Alcohol percentage by volume (unless this is implied by class – table wine is up to 14%)
• Name and address of the bottler
• Net contents (sometimes on label but can be etched into glass – standard is 750 ml)

California Wine Label

Wines sold in the U.S. must also include the government warning:

(1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

A  U.S. wine label must also contain the phrase “Contains Sulfites”. Sulfites (or sulphites) are compounds that prevent microbial growth. It is readily digested in the human body. However, there are certain people like asthmatics who can have  severe reactions to sulfites. 

Wine labels are not just for those who consume wine. Wine labels are often collected, like stamps or baseball cards, by those individuals who do not consume them. There are also those individuals who only choose a wine based on the appealing nature of the label. 

Wine Label Collage

Other things (nice to haves but not required) that you may find on a wine label include:

• Vintage year – the year the grapes were harvested
• Reserve: discloses that extra aging occurred at winery before release
• Estate bottled: company that bottled wine grew the grapes also.

Understanding Wine Labels — powered by eHow.com

If you live in the U.S., foreign wine labels can be quite intimidating.  Let’s take a French wine label as an example. French wine labels promote the region the wine is from. For example a red Burgundy is what we in California call a Pinot Noir. There are a couple of regulating bodies that mandate how French wine is produced. The Appellation d’Origine Controllee (AOC) mandates that certain grapes are grown in specific regions of France. For example a white wine grown in Burgundy is a Chardonnay in the U.S. because Chardonnay grapes or only to be grown in that region per the AOC.

French Wine Label

The Vin de Pays (VDQS) means “country wine”. This designation is usually given to producer who can’t meet the standards of AOC and who want to try working with different varietals. These wine producers are allowed to put their grape varietals on their wine labels. The other body is the Vin de Table, which means “Table Wine”. This is the most basic quality designator in France. 

Labels should not be intimidating. They should be a great source of information. Now that you have a little background on how they are designed and what’s required on them you should feel a little more liberated when you go into a wine shop. 

Read labels and always remember to drink responsibly.