The Most Popular Varietals
Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. There are hundreds of grape varieties in the world but not all of them are intended to make wine. Grape varieties that are cultivated for wine are referred to as vinifera grapes. Today we’re going to discuss some popular grapes used to make wine.
Although there are many types of vinifera grapes, only a small group, make up the majority of the most popular wines sold. Probably the most popular white grape is still Chardonnay. It is versatile and is made in as many styles as places that grow it. Next - is Sauvignon Blanc - the grape responsible for many very popular wines such as Sancerre, Pouilly Fume and Fume Blanc. It can be herbaceous or quite melon like, depending on the producer. Another in the white grape category is Riesling. It produces fabulous dry white wines, and some of the most serious and age worthy, sweet white wines in the world. When we look to red grapes the most well known is of course Cabernet Sauvignon; it is the powerful muscle in French Bordeaux and most of the biggest red wines made throughout the world. Although many times it is blended with other red grapes you’ll still recognize it by its blackcurrant and juicy plum fragrances. Next is Merlot; soft and juicy, it has a universal appeal seems to encourage many a novice wine drinker to move into drinking red wines. And last, but certainly not least, of the reds is the charming grape Pinot Noir. It not only makes the famed and beautiful wines of
