Famous Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the world’s most widely planted grapes, with immense ageing potential. With its thick skin and tendency to ripen later, it is grown almost everywhere. It is also popular because even a poorly crafted Cabernet Sauvignon wine can reflect the qualities of a Bordeaux First Growth (considered the quintessential example of Cabernet Sauvignon). Many of the best reds have Cabernet Sauvignon as their base, with small quantities of Merlot or Cabernet Franc blended with it. Bordeaux and California produce excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, with Tuscany not far behind. In the New World, Chile and Australia produce exciting Cabernet Sauvignons. Expect aromas of capsicum and spice on the nose, with oak ageing lending it secondary notes of tobacco, vanilla and coffee.

Merlot
Merlot has recently eclipsed Cabernet Sauvignon as the world’s most widely planted grape.
Its popularity stems from its voluptuous and smooth palate that lacks the harsh tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is, for these very reasons, a perfect blending partner of Cabernet Sauvignon. With nose and palate of plums and soft fruit, the velvety nature of a good Merlot (one from Pomerol or St Emilion, perhaps) can be mesmeric at best, or quaffable table wine at worst. In the New World, California set American markets ablaze when it debuted the Merlot. Nowadays, Chile produces some lipsmacking Merlots as well.

Pinot Noir
The Pinot Noir is responsible for etching many a happy memory in stone. This extremely popular grape variety is, however, notoriously difficult to grow. While Burgundy continues to produce outstanding Pinot Noirs (better known as red Burgundy), only New Zealand has successfully taken up the mantle in the New World. Pinot Noir is also – along with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay – an integral part of champagne’s triumvirate. With its light distinctive colour and aromatic profile of chocolate, berries, beetroots and roses with smooth tannins on the palate, this wine can become highly complex and multifaceted with age. It can thus command exorbitant prices, yet still provide enjoyable entry-level wines.

Syrah / Shiraz
Called Syrah in France and Shiraz almost everywhere else, this grape variety is known to local wine lovers, being ubiquitous in most Indian vineyards. Its hardiness means that it can be grown easily in warm climates. Exceptional Syrah is produced in France from the Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie appellations. In Australia, Penfolds Grange’s name has become synonymous with the world’s finest Shiraz. Shiraz is quickly developing followers worldwide, and with outstanding aromas of black fruit, dark chocolate, black pepper, leather and spice, it’s not hard to see why, especially as it partners spicy Indian food so brilliantly.

Sangiovese
As Italy’s most widely planted grape, the Sangiovese varietal was in danger of being demoted to the category of inferior grape types of poor quality. It was subject to many decades of bad winemaking, but was rescued in the nick of time by some of Italy’s greatest wines. Its essence was first captured and then immortalized by the world famous wines from Chianti and Montalcino. With spice and cherry on the palate, Sangiovese ages gracefully in barrels and produces delicious award-winning numbers.