Chenin Blanc: Pronounced as (Shen-nan Blanc.) This is a very versatile white wine grape varietal and can produce multiple styles of wine. As an example, when produced in the Savennieres region of Loire Valley France, it can be extremely dry with mouthwatering acidity and refreshing citrus notes; however it can also produce light, semi-sweet and straight forward wines with inviting green melon characteristics. Generally, Chenin Blanc has a flavor profile of melon, apricot, pear and almonds. In South Africa this grape varietal is also referred to as “Steen.”

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: Pronounced as (Pee-no Gree-sheo.) Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris is the exact same grape varietal. In Italy it is generally referred to as Pinot Grigio; however in France it is usually referred to as Pinot Gris. Even though the skin of this grape can have a reddish color once ripe, it is generally used for white wine production. The usual flavor profile of this wine has notes of apples, lemon and tangerine with a light to medium body and notes of orange blossoms. In Germany this grape varietal is also referred to as Rulander.

Sauvignon Blanc: Pronounced as (So-veen-yawn Blanc.) One of the lesser known facts about this grape is that it is considered the mother varietal of Cabernet Sauvignon. The cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc produced one of the world’s most popular varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc greatly varies depending on the environment in which it is grown. Grown in New Zealand it can have very distinctive notes of grapefruit or gooseberries. In Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume it can take on notes of lemon zest, green apples and melon with a mineral-like component. Generally, Sauvignon Blanc has a flavor profile of melon, pear, grass, lemon, grapefruit and kiwi.

Riesling: Pronounced as (Reese-ling.) Riesling is considered one of the best white wine grapes worldwide and is appreciated by novice wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike. In Alsace France, Riesling can be produced as an extremely dry and refreshing wine; however this versatile grape can also produce some of the world’s most sought after dessert wines. The most notable version of Riesling as a dessert wine is referred to as an Eiswein or ice wine. Ice wines are produced from late harvest grapes and are allowed to freeze on the vine. Once the grapes are frozen they are gently squeezed to extract the remaining pure concentrated fructose leaving behind the frozen water.   The usual flavor profile of this wine has notes of peaches, honeysuckle, apple and jasmine with a mineral-like component.

Gewurtztraminer: Pronounced as (Ga-vertz-tram-me-ner.) This is probably the most mispronounced and misunderstood grape varietal out there, but it can also produce some of the most expressive styles of white wine in the world. Despite its German sounding name, Gewurtztraminer is not considered to be indigenous to Germany, nor is it widely grown in Germany; however its name does mean “spicy” traminer in the German language. Gewurtztraminer is widely grown in France, Italy and California with a general flavor profile of peach, papaya, lychee nut, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and citrus peel.

Viognier: Pronounced as (Vee-awn-yay.) This was recently a relatively unknown grape varietal in the United States until the wines from Rhone Valley France became popular and highly sought after. The most sought after version of this grape hails from the Condrieu region of Rhone Valley France, but more recently has had some enormous success in California as well. The usual flavor profile of this wine has notes of guava, mango, honey, apricot, tangerine and passion fruit.

Chardonnay: Pronounced as (Shar-doe-nay.) The birthplace of this white wine grape varietal was in Burgundy France where it is used to make such popular wines as Chablis, Pouilly Fuisse, and Montrachet; however it also serves as a major component for most Champagnes. In fact, if you find Champagne with the term Blanc de Blancs on the label – it is made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. Chardonnay obviously also found a “home away from home” in California and has become the most popular white wine in the United States. Generally, Chardonnay has a flavor profile that can included flavors of apple, pear, pineapple, banana, melon, butter and lemon zest

Pinot Noir: Pronounced as (Pee-no Nwahr.) This grape varietal has been dubbed by most wine growers as “the quest for the holy grail” due to the difficult and finicky nature of this grape, but it can also produce some of the world’s most extraordinary red wines. Pinot Noir classically has been used to make such popular wines as Pommard, Nuits-Saint Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy; however it has also found a second home in California with unabated fervor. Pinot Noir is also used to make Champages. In fact Pinot Noir makes up ¾ of the total production within the region of Champagne France. The usual flavor profile of this wine has notes of cherries, strawberries, raspberries and floral characteristics. In Germany and Austria this grape varietal is also referred to as Spatburgunder

Merlot:  Pronounced as (Mair-lo.) This grape varietal originally found its popularity and success in classical growing regions such as Pommerol in Bordeaux France and in Northern Italy. Merlot is used in some of the world’s most expensive wines. Chateau Petrus from Bordeaux (currently $2,599.99 per bottle) is generally made of 95% merlot and Masseto produced by Ornellaia from Italy (currently $374.99 per bottle) is made from 100% Merlot. Merlot can have a soft and fleshy character, which also makes it a popular wine to blend with Cabernet to soften the tannins. Generally, Merlot has a flavor profile of plum, black cherry, blueberry, toffee, coffee, and chocolate.

Sangiovese: Pronounced as (San-gee-oh-vay-say.) Arguably, this is the king of Italian grape varietals. Sangiovese is primarily used to make the ever popular Chianti, but it is also used to make the world renowned wines of Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello is actually a clone of the Sangiovese grape.) Sangiovese is also used to blend with Merlot and Cabernet to produce a category of wines deemed as “Super Tuscans.” The term Super Tuscan has no legal definition; however they have definitely found their place in the world, fetching prices for Sassicaia of $200 a bottle and Ornellaia for $190 a bottle and Tignanello. The usual flavor profile of Sangiovese has notes dried cherry, dried orange peel, anise and dried starwberries.

Tempranillo: Pronounced as (Tem-pra-nee-yo.) Tempranillo is arguably the king of Spanish grape varietals, but has recently developed a love affair with the American consumer. Tempranillo is the predominant grape used to make the classical wines from the Spanish regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Cataluna; however it is also grown in Portugal where it is known as Tinta Roriz. Generally, Tempranillo has a flavor profile of plum, blackberry, blueberry, and dark cherry.

Zinfandel: Pronounced as (Zin-fan-dail.) Zinfandel is considered the “workhorse grape” in California producing everything from light, sweet blush wines to fortified “ports” as well as everything in between. Zinfandel has long been considered to be the same grape varietal as Primitivo (an ancient Italian varietal); however it has now been proven that it is actually just related to Primitivo and is actual a descendant of a relatively unknown grape from Croatia called Crljenak Kaštelanski. The usual flavor profile of Zinfandel has notes wild berries, raspberries, blackberry, candied fruit, jam and spice.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Pronounced as (Cab-air-nay So-vin-yawn.) If Zinfandel is the “workhorse grape” of California then Cabernet can be considered the “race horse” of red wines from California. Cabernet consistently is the world’s most popular red grape varietal and tends to offers explosive power, showmanship, and can also sometimes be a little edgy in its youth. Cabernet classical found its place in Bordeaux, especially within the regions of Medoc and Graves where it produces such world renowned wines as Chateau Margaux and Chateau Latour. Generally, Cabernet has a flavor profile of black currants, cassis, black cherry, black olives and plum.

Cabernet Franc: Pronounced as (Cab-air-nay Fronc.) Cabernet Franc is the genetic “father” of Cabernet Sauvignon and has long been used as a blending varietal in Bordeaux (along with Merlot) to soften the astringency of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has also been produced in Loire Valley France (where it is known as Breton) for decades as a single-variety wine called Chinon. In Italy it is also referred to as Bordo. The usual flavor profile of Cabernet Franc has notes blueberries, raspberries, dried strawberries and black cherry.

Grenache: Pronounced as (Grin-awsh.) This grape varietal has recently found a huge amount of success and popularity in Australia, but it also has a much older history in Rhone Valley France. In the Rhone Valley, Grenache is mainly used in the southern regions and makes up a large percentage of the world famous wines from Chateauneuf du Pape (translated as “The Popes New House.”) It is also grown extensively throughout Spain, where it is known as Garnacha and in Sardinia where it is known as Cannonau. Generally, Grenache has a flavor profile of cassis, plum, blackberries, wild berries and black figs.

Malbec: Pronounced as (Mal-beck.) Malbec is predominantly grown in Argentina now and has recently made a major splash on the wine scene; however this grape also has a much older history. This grape was almost wiped out during the Phyloxera epidemic in Europe during the 1860. Luckily, Malbec found its way to Argentina where it was transplanted, but Malbec still can be found alive and well in a relatively unknown region of France called Cahors. In Cahors, this grape varietal is known as “Cot.” The usual flavor profile of Malbec has notes ripe black plum, blackberry, rose petal, violets, and sometimes tobacco or black tea leaves.

Syrah/Shiraz: Pronounced as (Sir-rah.) Shiraz and Syrah is the exact same grape varietal and can trace its heritage back to Rhone Valley France. In the Rhone Valley it is primarily used in the northern regions to produce great wines from such areas as Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Syrah can produce rich full-bodied and opulent styled red wines with explosive characteristics. Generally, Syrah has a flavor profile of dried blackberry, dark raspberry, dark plum, pepper, smoked meat, and black olives.