Cabernet Franc
Originates from Bordeaux where it has become mainly a subsidiary grape; it is
also responsible for Chinon and Bourgueil in the Loire Valley. It is also
planted in Italy, California, Australia and Eastern Europe.
The main flavours are of raspberries and redcurrants with a slight hint if
herbs. It is lighter bodied than Cabernet Sauvignon and does benefit from being
blended because it is particularly soft.
Is grown in wetter soils than the Cabernet Sauvignon and gives a higher yield,
but like Cabernet Sauvignon prefers warmer climates.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine is arguably the king of the red grapes. It is a great vine of the
Medoc in Bordeaux, but is widely planted almost everywhere in the world.
Produces a distinctive blackcurranty flavour with a hint of mint and cedar wood.
The body of the wines range from medium bodied to heavier full bodied Australian
examples. There is a high level of tannin in the wines, allowing them to age
slower and better than the rest.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a vine that buds late, lessening the chances of damage
from spring frosts. The grapes produced are thick skinned, fairly resistant to
rot and insects and gives a low yield.
Grows best in warm climates, hot climates produce a jammy, stewed flavour. The
wines are usually matured in oak, either new or old.
Gamay
Its full name is Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc. A Burgundian grape that was
historically widely planted on the Cote d'Or but condemned for its high yields
and low quality, now it's heartland is Beaujolais, where it produces its finest
wines on granite soils. It is also grown in Touraine and the Ardeche.
It will have a cherry and candy flavoured with a hint of raspberry. The wines
are light bodied distinctive and simple.
Gamay is usually fermented using carbonic maceration i.e. fermented quickly
under a protective layer of carbon dioxide. The refreshing, fairly sharp style
is best-drunk young.
Grenache
The most widely planted red wine grape in Spain, from where it originates. It
is the main grape in Navarra and is a constituent of Rioja. It is also widely
planted in the Southern Rhone Valley and the South of France, and is found in
California Algeria, Israel, Morocco and Australia, particularly the MacLaren
Vale region.
Produces berry ripe, fruity flavours, predominantly strawberry, coupled with a
fiery spiciness. It ranges widely from light bodied delicious, fruity roses to
rich dessert and fortified wines. It is famous for producing warm, full bodied
wines high in alcohol.
It is responsible for producing many great roses either by itself or as a major
constituent. It is used in the blends of such great red wines as
Chateaunuef-du-Pape and Rioja, and in this state greatly benefits form oak
ageing.
Merlot
The second great black grape variety of Bordeaux and the dominant one in
great wines such as Saint Emilion and Pomerol. It is also grown in North East
Italy, Eastern Europe and the New World, especially California.
It has juice, fruity flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry and mint; it also
has a soft and complex texture.
It is probably at its best blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, which it is lower in
tannic bitterness than and higher in alcohol. It is an early ripening grape
variety and so in Bordeaux it is grown in the heavier soils in which Cabernet
Sauvignon would be very slow to ripen.
Pinot Noir
This grape has the reputation of producing fantastic wines in Burgundy. It is
now widely planted round the world including places such as; California,
Australia, New Zealand Germany and Eastern Europe.
It has a predominantly raspberry and strawberry flavour with a hint of game. At
its best it produces an almost summer pudding flavour, it varies from medium to
light bodied wines.
This is a wine that does not travel well; outside Burgundy it has very little
colour and depth with a few exceptions, for example some Californian Pinot
Noirs. The vines will not tolerate heat and thrive in a moderately cool
environment.
It is used in almost all red Burgundy wines and really produces fantastic
quality wines. Also used in bulk in Champagne production both white and pink.
Also known as Spatburgunder in Germany and Pinot Nero in Italy.
Sangiovese
This is the grape of Tuscany, Italy. It is also found in California,
Australia and Argentina.
When it is at its best it is responsible for the finest Chianti and Brunello di
Montalcino, but some very poor examples of it can also be found in Italy.
Predominant flavours are of cherry and plum and it mainly has a light body for
everyday drinking, but can also produce heavyweight wines like Brunello di
Montalcino.
It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to produce the
"super-Tuscan" wines. The wine has a short fermentation period of only
3 days and may be matured with or without oak.
Syrah
Often known as Shiraz as that it what it is called in Australia. Is a great
grape when it is grown in poor soil, it is responsible for the great reds of the
Northern Rhone, and is also being grown throughout Southern France to improve
blends. It is most widely planted in France and Australia but increasingly now
planted in California, Algeria and South Africa.
It has an intense and complex sweet fruit flavour, particularly blackberry and
raspberry, with peppery overtones. It is at its best as an intense, full-bodied
and deep coloured wine, but can produce medium and light bodied wines as well.
It can grow in a range of climates and copes with warmth very well. It is used
for blending in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, because of its intense, rich, tannic and
velvety qualities.
Tempranillo
This grape is widely planted throughout the northern half of Spain and is the
main grape in the production of quality Riojas, it is also grown in Argentina
and Protugal.
Young Temparnillo has a distinctive overripe strawberry and cherry flavour. With
age it tends to become plumier and has nose of Morocco leather. It ranges from
light bodied to fuller bodied well oaked wines.
It flourishes in Spain's cooler regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, it ripens
early and likes chalky soils. In Portugal it is also known as Tinta Roriz.
Zinfandel
It is the speciality grape of California, but is now thought to have its
origins in Italy where it is known as Primitivo, it is also grown in Croatia
where it is known as Plavac Mali.
They have a unique raspberry flavour, intense spicy fruitiness and a vibrant
colour. The wines range from delicious dry to intensely sweet.
The absence of tradition in California means that technology could be used to
find the best possible terrior for Zinfandel to grow. Zinfandel is produced as a
varietal.