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Vineyards worldwide cultivate a diverse range of grape varieties, each with unique characteristics and flavor profiles.
These varieties are the foundation of the world's wine industry, contributing to the distinct tastes and aromas of wines from different regions.
Here, we explore some of the most popular and widely grown types of grapes.
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most recognized and widely grown grape varieties.
Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, it is now grown in almost every major wine-producing country.
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are known for their thick, durable skin, and the vine's resistance to the elements. Wines from this grape variety are full-bodied with high tannin content and noticeable acidity.
2. Merlot
Merlot, also originating from Bordeaux, is another globally popular grape variety. It is known for its soft, sensual texture and ripe, fruity flavors.
Merlot grapes tend to have a higher sugar content and lower acidity, making them a popular choice for blending with the more robust Cabernet Sauvignon.
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3. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced.
The Chardonnay grape is neutral, with many flavors commonly associated with the wine derived from terroir and oak.
It is vinified in many different styles, from Chablis, France's lean, crisply mineral wines, to New World wines with oak and tropical fruit flavors.
4. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot Noir grapes.
The name is derived from the French words for pine and black; the pine alludes to the grape variety having tightly clustered pine cone-shaped fruit bunches.
Pinot Noir grapes are grown worldwide, mainly in the cooler climates, and the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France.
5. Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown worldwide and used primarily to produce red wine. The style and flavor profile of wines made from Syrah is influenced by the climate where the grapes are grown.
Moderate climates (such as the northern Rhone Valley and parts of the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State) tend to produce medium to full-bodied wines with medium-plus to high levels of tannins and flavors of blackberry, mint, and black pepper notes.
6. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. It is now planted in many of the world's wine regions, producing a crisp, dry, refreshing white varietal wine.
The flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical, depending on the climate.
7. Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a variety of black-skinned wine grapes. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards.
The taste of the red wine depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Redberry fruit flavors like raspberry predominate in wines from more excellent areas, whereas blackberry, anise, and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas.
