Wine Varietals: The Basics

The first decision you have to make when drinking wine is whether you want red or white wine. ( I already covered the topic of red or white in another blog). Once the decision of red or white is made, you then need to decide on the varietal you want to drink.

Varietal refers to the kind of grape a wine is made with and by law 75% of a wine needs to be made with a particular grape varietal for the wine to be classified as that varietals on it's label. Some wines are single varietal and many wines are a blend of several varietals.

In the United States, the most common white wine varietals are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. For red wine Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are the most common. So, how do you decide between these varietals?

Chardonnay which originated in Burgandy France can be oaked or unoaked. It's typically the most complex and heaviest of white wines and depending on the amount it is oaked can have a vanilla or buttery taste. If Chardonnay is unoaked then it will have a more fruity flavor. Chardonnay is usually good with Fish or Chicken and can stand up to sauces as it usually has some acidity which gives it complexity. Of the white varietals Chardonnay can be cellared the longest.

Sauvignon Blanc is generally a lighter, crisper wine, it can be citrusy, grassy, herbaceous and even have some minerality to it depending on where it is made. Sauvignon Blanc is nice to drink on a hot summery day on it's own or with appetizers and goes quite well with fish or seafood.

Riesling typically is sweet and floral with apple, peach, pear or apricot flavors but depending on where it is made it can be dry and have minerality and even oily petroleum flavors. Riesling is best enjoyed with spicy food or as a dessert wine.

Gewurztraminer is an aromatic and perfumy floral wine often with some hints of honeysuckle. It's typically sweet and is a good contrast for spicy food especially Chinese, Thai or Indian.

Merlot is typically a medium bodied red wine. It can be fruity or herbaceous and typically does not have big tannins. Merlot is good to drink on its own and is lush and fruity. It's typically mellow but can have complexity. Merlot is easy to drink and is good for people just starting to enjoy red wine although there are some delicious and well crafted bold Merlots that even well versed wine drinkers will enjoy. I am partial to Merlot grown on rocky hillsides such as Howell Mountain in Napa.

Syrah is a rich dark red with lots of tannins. It is typically smoky, spicy and peppery with some fruit. It is known as Shiraz in Australia and is best enjoyed with lamb and wild game

Pinot Noir is generally a smooth velvety wine. It's full bodied and rich but is not acidic or tannic. It's generally one of the harder grapes for vitners to cultivate and therefore it can be pricey. Pinot Noir has lots of complexity and can be enjoyed alone or with salmon, swordfish, lamb, chicken or even beef. It's best with simple non-saucy and unspicy dishes It can have a cherry berry taste or a dry earthy leathery taste

Cabernet Sauvignon is big rich and bold with lots of tannins that give it depth and complexity. It is typically meant to be aged and is a grape mostly appreciated by regular wine drinkers because of its high tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon typically has flavors of currant and red fruit with vanilla oaky overtones but it can also be smoky or earthy.

Zinfandel is a big bold fruity spicy dark red purply wine. It is usually very high in alcohol content and is meant to be enjoyed with hearty food.

The best way to determine which varietals you like is to taste them and see. You must keep in mind though that the food you are eating can change the flavor of the wine. In addition, you need to realize that wines from different countries and also different regions have different tastes. So, for example, you may like a Pinot Noir from Oregon in the Willamette family which is usually fruity and cherry berry and not one from the California Russian River Valley which may be less fruity and more oaky and leathery.

Weather, soil, where the grapes are from and the way the grapes are harvested and blended can all impact their flavor. Also there can be a variance based on price. So before you rule out a varietal make sure you taste several wines from different regions by different producers at different price points to determine which ones you have a preference for and which ones you don't especially like.

There are no right and wrong answers when it comes to wine. The key is to find what you like and then to drink it. Salut!