Crushin’ It: Grapes Unveiled
While some wine grapes can be consumed, there are certain characteristics that winemakers look for in their grapes. The most important difference is that wine grapes have higher acidity. High acidity provides balance in the flavor profile and effects a wine’s aging potential. Most table grapes don’t have this acidity and are much sweeter and easier to eat. While you could theoretically make wine with these grapes, it wouldn’t result in a balanced wine.
Grape varieties come in all manner of colors. But have you ever crushed a red grape before eating it? The juice from red grapes runs clear. So where does the red color in wine come from? The answer lies in the grape’s skin.
Grape skins contain the pigments that give the wine it’s color, tannins, texture, and more. White wines, made from white grapes don’t usually spend time with the grape skins after they’ve been pressed. That’s why many white wines are light in texture, color, and have no tannins.
Red wines spend time on the skins at the beginning of the winemaking process. The length of time spent with the colored grape skins can determine the final color of a wine. Light pink rosés sit in stark contrast to inky dark Syrah/Shiraz wines.
Royals of the Vine: The Noble Grapes. Have you ever heard of this term “noble grape” and wondered what it means? You may have heard this term during a wine tasting or seen it on a label. There is no official definition of a “noble grape.” The term describes grape varieties with a reputation for consistently producing excellent wines, regardless of where they are grown. These grape varieties are known for their high quality, have a long and storied lineage and are highly respected in the wine world.
Ongoing debate surrounds which grape varieties should be classified as “noble.” Depending on context, they may be referring to either The Six Noble Grapes or referring to The Five Noble Grapes of Bordeaux. It can be confusing, so it’s always good to know if you’re talking about a Bordeaux or Bordeaux-style blend, or just wine in general.
When speaking to wine in general, the Noble Grapes are: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
When speaking to Bordeaux or Bordeaux-style wines, the Noble Grapes are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
With thousands of grape varietals out there, we’re shining a spotlight on the fan favorites
Thirsty for knowledge? Click the links to dive deeper into RED WINE grapes with FirstLeaf.com
- Barbera is a late-ripening red grape known for its ability to suit a winemaker’s needs in the Piedmont region of Italy and in a few select regions of the new world.
- Cabernet Franc is a rustic grape with small berries and thick skins that is used to add complexity and texture to blends from Bordeaux, but is also used to make amazing single varietal wines in the Loire Valley.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is often called “King Cab,” because of its dominance in acreage. It’s grown in almost every region on Earth with some of the best examples coming from Napa Valley and Bordeaux.
- Grenache is a late-ripening, thin-skinned grape that is often found in blends from all over the world with concentrations in the Rhône Valley, Priorat, Southwest Australia, and Washington State.
- Malbec is a rich, spicy red that thrives in the vineyards of Argentina and Cahors, France.
- Merlot is one of the most planted varietals on earth and is known for making wines that are low in tannins and big in fruit flavor.
- Nebbiolo is a grape the makes up the “Wine of Kings” also known as Barolo in the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy.
- Petite Sirah is a rustic grape that has found a new lease on life all over the New World.
- Petit Verdot is a late-ripening grape that rounds out the blends of Bordeaux.
- Pinot Noir is a finicky grape that produces some of the finest (and most expensive) wines on earth with fantastic examples coming from Burgundy, and increasingly from Oregon.
- Sangiovese is a thin-skinned grape that is high in both acidity and tannins, and is the most at home in the Chianti region of central Italy.
- Syrah/Shiraz are two names for the same grape, but refer to vastly different styles of winemaking.
- Zinfandel, which is sometimes known as Primitivo, sprang to stardom in California before tracing its roots back to southern Italy and then to Croatia.
Ready to sip some knowledge? Click the links to explore WHITE WINE grapes with FirstLeaf.com
- Airén is the most planted white grape varietal in the world, but is used most often for fortified wines.
- Chenin Blanc is a lovely white grape that can be used to make many styles of wine from complex examples in the Loire Valley to the fortified wines of South Africa.
- Chardonnay is the most famous, and contentious, white wine grape. It can be crisp and mineral-driven or it can be oaky and buttery depending on the wishes (and skill) of the winemaker.
- Gewürztraminer is a lovely, aromatic grape that makes wines full of spice and flowers.
- Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s signature grape and makes delightful, easy-drinking wines as easily as it makes complex, textured versions.
- Muscat/Moscato is known for a pronounced floral aroma in the bouquet, ripe fruit, and the ability to be made in a variety of styles.
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris is another white grape that is used to make multiple styles that range from crisp and citrusy to floral, textured, and complex.
- Riesling is a favorite of sommeliers everywhere and can make some of the most complex wines on earth with the best examples coming from Germany, Alsace, and even some from New York.
- Sauvignon Blanc is a fantastic grape that exhibits unique characteristics, especially in examples from New Zealand.
In winemaking, not all grapes are created equal. The quality of a wine comes directly from the quality of the ingredients, and the skill and vision of a winemaker.