Blog: Steven Spurrier
Almost all wines today are produced by a type of vine known as vitis vinifera, which has been refined and developed over the centuries for the production of grapes for wine, rather than for the table. Different families of vines have evolved that carry specific names and these are known as grape varieties, or “varietals”. Wine from a single grape variety are called “varietal wines” and the characteristics of each grape variety will be revealed in the wine. These characteristics, however, will change according to where the vines are planted. The soil, subsoil, climate and micro-climate will influence the grape’s fruit to make up the profile, style and character of the final wine. In France and increasingly across the world, the places where the vines are grown are referred to as their terroir. It has been said that the character of a wine comes from the grape, and its soul comes from the soil, or terroir. Below are brief descriptions of origin and style of the major grape varieties.
Chardonnay
The traditional white grape of Burgundy and Champagne, Chardonnay prefers a lightish soil, but does well in any climate that is not too hot. The colour of wine made from Chardonnay ranges from pale yellow to full gold. The aromas are both fruity and floral, the flavours high in white fruits. They will be leaner from cool climates, richer from warmer climates, with balancing natural acidity.
Chenin Blanc
A native of the Loire Valley in central France, but especially successful in South Africa and now in India, a versatile grape that can produce wines from the very dry to the very sweet which show slightly honeyed, floral aromas and always retain an inherent acidity.
Gewurztraminer
Renowned in Alsace in Northern France , Gewurztraminer produces spicily aromatic, richly flavoured wines which can be vinified dry or, in sunny vintages, attain exceptional levels of sweetness.
Muscat
Also known as Moscatel, this is a versatile, highly aromatic varietal wine that can be pale and dry from cool climates, but rich and heady from hotter ones. Muscat is also much used for fortified sweet white wines.
Pinot Gris
This is an important member of the Pinot family alongside the white Pinot Blanc and the red Pinot Noir. Known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, this aromatic, fleshy yet dry variety is now planted with great success as far apart as Oregon and New Zealand.
Riesling
Originating from Germany, this is one of the finest and most complex of the white wine grapes, with the range of Chenin Blanc and the complexity of Chardonnay. Riesling has a distinctive fruit, purity of style and lemony acidity (even at its sweetest) that transcends differences in region and climate. It also has very great ageing potential.
Sauvignon Blanc
An extremely versatile grape that ripens early, Sauvignon originated in the Loire Valley, where its aggressively fruity aromas and crisp acidic finish are much prized. Very widely planted in New Zealand, it is the most recognisable dry fruity wine from the New World.
Semillon
The principal grape of the great sweet wines of Bordeaux and often blended with Sauvignon to make dry Bordeaux. Equally revered in Australia, Semillon is noted for its mellow softness yet persistence of flavour and its ability to age.
Viognier
Originally a little-planted grape from France ’s Rhone Valley, Viognier has spread around the world due to its extraordinary aroma of white peaches or apricots, with a richness on the palate and a soft, yet dry finish. These wines should be drunk young.
Almost all wines today are produced by a type of vine known as vitis vinifera, which has been refined and developed over the centuries for the production of grapes for wine, rather than for the table. Different families of vines have evolved that carry specific names and these are known as grape varieties, or “varietals”. Wine from a single grape variety are called “varietal wines” and the characteristics of each grape variety will be revealed in the wine. These characteristics, however, will change according to where the vines are planted. The soil, subsoil, climate and micro-climate will influence the grape’s fruit to make up the profile, style and character of the final wine. In France and increasingly across the world, the places where the vines are grown are referred to as their terroir. It has been said that the character of a wine comes from the grape, and its soul comes from the soil, or terroir. Below are brief descriptions of origin and style of the major grape varieties.
Chardonnay
The traditional white grape of Burgundy and Champagne, Chardonnay prefers a lightish soil, but does well in any climate that is not too hot. The colour of wine made from Chardonnay ranges from pale yellow to full gold. The aromas are both fruity and floral, the flavours high in white fruits. They will be leaner from cool climates, richer from warmer climates, with balancing natural acidity.
Chenin Blanc
A native of the Loire Valley in central France, but especially successful in South Africa and now in India, a versatile grape that can produce wines from the very dry to the very sweet which show slightly honeyed, floral aromas and always retain an inherent acidity.
Gewurztraminer
Renowned in Alsace in Northern France , Gewurztraminer produces spicily aromatic, richly flavoured wines which can be vinified dry or, in sunny vintages, attain exceptional levels of sweetness.
Muscat
Also known as Moscatel, this is a versatile, highly aromatic varietal wine that can be pale and dry from cool climates, but rich and heady from hotter ones. Muscat is also much used for fortified sweet white wines.
Pinot Gris
This is an important member of the Pinot family alongside the white Pinot Blanc and the red Pinot Noir. Known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, this aromatic, fleshy yet dry variety is now planted with great success as far apart as Oregon and New Zealand.
Riesling
Originating from Germany, this is one of the finest and most complex of the white wine grapes, with the range of Chenin Blanc and the complexity of Chardonnay. Riesling has a distinctive fruit, purity of style and lemony acidity (even at its sweetest) that transcends differences in region and climate. It also has very great ageing potential.
Sauvignon Blanc
An extremely versatile grape that ripens early, Sauvignon originated in the Loire Valley, where its aggressively fruity aromas and crisp acidic finish are much prized. Very widely planted in New Zealand, it is the most recognisable dry fruity wine from the New World.
Semillon
The principal grape of the great sweet wines of Bordeaux and often blended with Sauvignon to make dry Bordeaux. Equally revered in Australia, Semillon is noted for its mellow softness yet persistence of flavour and its ability to age.
Viognier
Originally a little-planted grape from France ’s Rhone Valley, Viognier has spread around the world due to its extraordinary aroma of white peaches or apricots, with a richness on the palate and a soft, yet dry finish. These wines should be drunk young.
