Bordeaux

Key Grape Varieties

A

Alicante Bouschet

Alicante Bouschet is a rare red grape hybrid, created by Henri Bouschet, with both red skins and red flesh, known as a teinturier.

B

Barbera

Barbera, often overshadowed by Barolo in Piedmont, is a beloved everyday red wine variety with widespread plantings around the world.

B

Bonarda

Bonarda, distinct from its Italian counterpart, is a fruity and smooth red grape grown in Argentina, often blended with Malbec for added complexity.

B

Brachetto

Brachetto d'Acqui is a semi-sparkling, sweet red wine from Piedmont known for it's candied and floral aromatics.

C

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper (pyrazines).

C

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is now the most widely planted white grape variety, globally. Chardonnay is a major grape in Champagne, and other sparkling wines.

C

Cinsault

Cinsault is a red wine grape used in Rhône blends and Provençal rosés; Cinsault delivers fresh, punchy reds that are floral and fruity.

F

Frappato

A rare, fruity find from Sicily, Frappato bursts with aromas of sweet red berries and incense spice, sometimes blended with Nero d'Avola.

G

Grenache

Grenache is both fruit-forward and aromatic with crisp acidity. The French have championed this grape but it’s original home is Spain!

G

Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc is a color mutation of Grenache, producing full-bodied white wines that are sometimes aged in oak.

M

Malbec

Malbec, a dark-skinned red grape, is popular in France and Argentina, often used in Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux blends.

M

Montepulciano

Montepulciano, a red grape variety from Italy's Abruzzo region, produces wines with ripe fruit flavors and soft tannins.

N

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is a red wine grape grown mostly in Piedmont, Italy. Nebbiolo is used in two popular Italian wines: Barolo and Barbaresco.

R

Riesling

Riesling is a white wine grape mostly grown in cool climates, like Germany and the U.S. Riesling wines can be sweet, but also crisp and refreshing.

S

Syrah

Syrah is a dark red wine grape currently popular with growers in France and the U.S.; it makes many styles and blends.

T

Tannat

Tannat tastes range from red to black fruit with a decent dose of black licorice, vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso, and smoke

T

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a red wine grape variety currently growing in Spain and Portugal. It's the third-most planted wine grape in the world.

V

Viognier

Viognier is a rich, oily white wine that originated in the Northern Rhône and is rapidly growing in popularity around the world.

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