11/20/06 Number of Grape Varietals

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we will be answering a question from the email. Recently a listener wrote to ask, "Just how many kinds of wine grapes are there?" Great Question! The grapes used to create wine are called vitis vinifera and at last count, there were at least 10,000 different kinds. These grapes mutate and cross easily the numbers illustrate that beautifully. Although 10,000 is truly an overwhelming number, you need not worry your pretty little heads about it. Most of them will never be available to you in the mainstream market. We are familiar with the major vinifera grape varietals most commonly grown throughout the world and some lesser plantings of others in the specialty wine regions of the world. Wine trends are not quite as fickle as clothing or cars but we do see trends in your choices of wines. Yes, a great deal of this is due to what you read and perceive as the new trendy grape. Oh and of course, those influential losers in movies who can make you drop a varietal you have been enjoying just because you don't think you will be cool if you continue to enjoy it. Oh well  the latest indications are showing that when you grow tired of Pinot Noir you will be moving on to Syrah and Shiraz. Not to be confused with Petite Sirah, another grape entirely. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.