Shangrila Institute of Hotel Management & Aviation

Grape Varieties

The most popular White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay was the most popular white grape through the 1990’s. It can be made sparkling or still.
Typical taste of the different types of chardonnay: voluptuous. Chardonnay wines are often wider-bodied (and more velvety) than other types of dry whites, with rich citrus (lemon, grapefruit) flavors. Fermenting in new oak barrels adds a buttery tone (vanilla, toast, coconut, toffee). Tasting a USD 20 Californian Chardonnay should give citrus fruit flavors, hints of melon, vanilla, some toasty character and some creaminess. Burgundy whites can taste very different.

Typical taste in varietal wine: sauvignon blanc normally shows a herbal character suggesting bell pepper or freshly mown grass. The dominating flavors range from sour green fruits of apples, pears and gooseberries through to tropical fruits of melon, mango and blackcurrant. Quality unoaked Sauvignon Blancs will display Smokey qualities; they require bright aromas and a strong acid finish and are best grown in cool climates.

Typical taste: the wine varietal features distinct fig-like Sémillon is often blended with sauvignon blanc to delimit its strong berry-like flavors.

The moscato variety belongs to the muscat family of grapes – and so do moscatel and muscat ottonel.
Typical taste: often sweet and always fruity, with a characteristic grape fruity and musky Moscato wines are easily recognizable to anyone who has tasted a Muscat table grape.

Typical taste: crisp, dry wines with good acid “bite” are typically made in Italy and Oregon or Alsace Pinot Gris shows aromatic, fruity flavors. Pairing with food is more difficult because Alsatian winemakers leave the grapes on the vine much longer. The perfume in Alsatian Pinot Gris makes it especially well-suited for Thai or spicy Chinese cuisine.

A very aromatic
Typical taste in varietal wine: Riesling wines are much lighter than Chardonnay wines. The aromas generally include fresh apples. The riesling variety expresses itself very differently depending on the district and the winemaking. Rieslings should taste fresh. If they do, then they might also prove tastier and tastier as they age.

Typical taste in varietal wine: Riesling wines are much lighter than Chardonnay The aromas generally include fresh apples. The riesling variety expresses itself very differently depending on the district and the winemaking. Rieslings should taste fresh. If they do, then they might also prove tastier and tastier as they age.

The most popular Red Grape Varieties

Easy to drink. The softness of Merlot has made it an “introducing” wine for new red-wine drinkers.
Typical taste in varietal wine: typical scents include black cherry, plums and herbal flavors. The texture is round but a middle palate gap is common. The Merlot type of wine is less tannic (rough) than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Syrah and shiraz are two names for the same variety. Europe vintners only use the name syrah.
Typical taste in varietal wine: aromas and flavors of wild black fruit (such as blackcurrant), with overtones of black pepper spice and roasting meat. The abundance of fruit sensations is often complemented by warm alcohol and gripping tannins.
Toffee notes if present come not from the fruit but from the wine having rested in oak barrels.
The shiraz variety gives hearty, spicy While shiraz is used to produce many average wines it can produce some of the world’s finest, deepest, and darkest reds with intense flavors and excellent longevity. You’ll discover Syrahs of value and elegance by reading my reviews of French wines.

Easy to drink. The softness of Merlot has made it an “introducing” wine for new red-wine drinkers.
Typical taste in varietal wine: typical scents include black cherry, plums and herbal flavors. The texture is round but a middle palate gap is common. The Merlot type of wine is less tannic (rough) than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Widely accepted as one of the world’s best varieties. Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with cabernet franc and merlot. It usually undergoes oak treatment.
Typical taste in varietal wine: full-bodied, but firm and gripping when
With age, polyphones polymerize: The grip fades away. The rich currant qualities of the cabernet Sauvignon wine to that of pencil box. Bell pepper notes remain.

Typical taste in varietal wine: malbec’s characteristics vary greatly depending on where it is grown and how it is transformed. Generally it produces an easy-drinking style, well colored wine that tastes of plums, berries, and spice.
Malbec is often blended with other varieties such as cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot to make Bordeaux style wines. Malbec and some such blends may present some health benefits.

One of the noblest red wine grapes. Pinot noir is difficult to grow, rarely blended, with any roughness.
Typical taste in varietal wine: very unlike Cabernet Sauvignon. The structure is delicate and fresh. The tannins are very soft; this is related to the low level of polyphones. The aromatics are very fruitycherry, strawberry, plum), often with notes of tea-leaf, damp earth, or worn leather.
Yet pinot noir is very transparent to the place where it is grown. The staggering range of wines produced makes it pointless to define which personality is the best expression of the variety.

Perhaps the world’s most versatile wine grape, making everything from blush wine (White Zinfandel), to rich, heavy reds.
Typical taste in varietal wine: often a zesty flavor with berry and pepper.

Typical taste in varietal wine: the primary style is medium-bodied with fresh berry and plum flavours.

9. Barbera (Bar-bear-a)

Not as popular as Merlot but with similar attributes.
Typical taste in varietal wine: juicy black cherry and plum fruit, a silky texture and excellent acidity. You may wish to read tasting notes of Barberas at La Spinetta.