Types of Grapes Used for Making Red Wine

Although there are thousands types of grapes. In wine making, the species vinifera a subdivision of the genus Vitis is the most commonly used. Some wine is made from a different species of grape such as the Concord grape which belong to the Vitis labrusca. These wines taste "foxy." There are apparently over 10,000 species of wine grapes but most people will experience around 50 types. In this section 12 popular grapes used in making red wine will be discussed. * Aglianco - Not popular outside of southern Italy. One wine it is used to make is Taurasi.

* Barbera - An Italian grape that is high in acid and low in tannin. It can produce fruity wines

* Cabernet Sauvignon - This grape can grow in many wine regions. Its wines are high in tannin and are medium to full bodied. It is often blended with the Merlot grape.

* Gamay - It makes dark coloured wines that are low in tannin. This grape does well in the Beaujolais district of France.

* Grenache - This grape originated in Spain. It can make wines that are light coloured and high in alcohol but also can make dark coloured wines with a fruity aroma and velvety texture.

* Nebbiolo - This grape only appears to do well in Northern Italy; specifically in the Piedmont region. Two of Italy's greatest wines are the Barolo and Barbaresco. The Nebbiolo grape is high in tannin and acid and reasonably high in alcohol. Its aroma is herbal (mint), earthy (tar) and fruity (strawberry and jam).

* Merlot - This grape produces wines that are high in alcohol, low in tannin, dark in colour, and full bodied. The flavours can be plum or chocolate.

* Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir is a very difficult grape to grow properly for wine because it requires a certain soil and climate combination. But when it does grow right, it can make a fantastic wine. The model wine for Pinot Noir is red Burgundy from France.

* Sangiovese - For many years, Sangiovese grapes from the Tuscany region of Italy have been used in winemaking. These grapes are used to make wines such as Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Motalcino. Generally wines made from Sangiovese grapes are quite flavourful, medium to high in acidity, and medium in tannin. Often these wines will smell of blackberry, cherry or plum with hints of spices.

* (Syrah)/ Shiraz - This grape produces wines that are full body, high tannin and aromas/flavours that can even suggest smoked meat, tar or burnt rubber.

* Tempranillo - This is a Spanish grape that makes wines that are dark in colour, have low acidity and contain moderate alcohol.

* Zinfandel - This grape produces a wine that is high in alcohol, medium to high in tannin. It has a fruity aroma, spicy or jammy flavour.

White Wine Grapes
White wine grapes are the most dominant type of grape used for producing wines, and are being produced all over the world. There are many variations of white wine grapes that each give different tastes, colors and aromas to the wine they produce. However, the most famous are produced in France and come from the Chardonnay grape.

Different Grape Varieties

* Chardonnay
The most famous Chardonnay grapes come from France, they are now produced in most areas due to the grape’s ability to be grown in differing climates and strong yields. It also has a strong history having been grown for over 2000 years. Despite the common grape, Chardonnay can vary greatly from one place to the next. Some Chardonnays are famous for dry crisp flavors whilst others have a creamier flavor. It is common in old world wines, a famous example being Burgundy Wine, but also is pervasive in new world varieties on supermarket shelves. The color also varies from a pale straw to a deep yellow. Chardonnay varieties are not intended for aging purposes but some high quality wines can be stored for 3 10 years showing improvements with age. Chardonnay has the most interesting history. It is believed that Chardonnay grapes arose by accident from cross pollination between Pinot and Gouais Vines. DNA evidence has supported this in part as Chardonnay is a member of the Pinot family. Chardonnay was given its name as it is said to have originated in a village with that name. It is claimed it was then distributed throughout France by monks.

* Riesling
Riesling is also a very popular example of a white wine grape. It originates in Germany although it is now used in new world varieties in the USA and New Zealand. Riesling Wines tend to have floral aromas and are usually clear in color. It is worth seeking out top German varieties that have been grown in a cool climate and ripened late like those grapes grown on the banks of the River Mosel. This can be purchased at a very reasonable price. The Alsace region of France also offers good quality and is easy to get hold of. If you wish to purchase wine for the future consumption this can typically age for over a decade. It is important not to confuse the Riesling grape with German wines such as Cape Riesling and Welschriesling who just happen to share the same name, as these are of an inferior quality.

* Sauvignon Blanc
This white wine grape has become famous for making the New Zealand wine industry famous although it originated in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France. It is a crisp dry and light wine with a usually clear color and most commonly possesses a sharp fresh cut grass aroma. It is important to note that this wine does not age well and should be drunk not long after purchase.

* Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is a distinctive wine possessing an intense spicy aroma. It is traditionally produced in the regions of Alsace and Germany and has some New world success in the US, New Zealand and Northern Italy. However, overall success in New World regions is limited. Gewürztraminer has slightly higher alcohol content than the above grapes and is more difficult to grow and is especially susceptible to changes in climate. If it ripens too fast in a warm climate, a distasteful oily wine can be produced.

Other Varieties
Other popular varieties of white wine grapes include Chenin Blanc, Viogner, Semillon, Pinot Blanc and Muscat although many more exist. Colors of the wine produced range from clear to a straw yellow. Fruit flavors present include Peaches, Oak and Lychee Nut.

Health Benefits
Red wine grape varieties are known to produce health benefits in moderate amounts most notably to the heart. However, recent research has suggested that white wine grape varieties may offer similar heart benefits to red although research is still in the early stages. Other reported health benefits include improved lung health to antioxidants in the white wine grape.

Other Factors Affecting the Taste of the Wine
Along with the type of white wine grape used the wine produced is arguably also a product of the place the grapes are grown. Although some white wine grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc taste very similar wherever they are planted, many wines differ. This is due to factors such as the local climate, growing methods and soil composition. However, the type of grape used is always essential to the overall taste. The white wine grape has many varieties that produce a diverse and exciting range of aromas, colors and tastes to the final wine.