| Most wines take their name from the variety of | | | | expensive, and long-lived. |
| grape used to make it. However obvious that | | | | Muscat - Known as Moscatel in Spain and Moscato |
| fact may be to highly trained viticulturists, the | | | | in Italy, the Muscat grape is prized for its bold |
| uneducated in wine will have just learned | | | | aroma and flavor values. This type of grape is |
| something new from reading this article. I | | | | grown heavily in southern France and its big crops |
| encourage you to keep reading and learn more | | | | produce wines that are sweet and very floral. |
| about the wines you've heard about and maybe | | | | Palomino - This grape is native to Spain where it |
| even drank at one time or another during your | | | | is used to produce fine Sherries. Palomino is also |
| life. | | | | successfully grown in California, South Africa, and |
| This three-part article series will discuss the many | | | | Australia. In California, Palomino is often referred |
| grapes of the world. | | | | to as Golden Chasselas. |
| Chardonnay - This grape is native to France and | | | | Sauvignon Blanc - Grown in the Graves district of |
| is grown all over the world for both sparkling | | | | Bordeaux and the eastern Loire Valley, this grape |
| wines and table wines. This is the primary grape | | | | produces fine wines that are typically smoky in |
| grown in the Val de Marne of Champagne and is | | | | aroma with an earthy aftertaste. If grown in a |
| also grown in northern California, New York State, | | | | cooler climate, Sauvignon Blanc can produce a |
| Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Virginia. | | | | grassy aftertaste. This is a large crop grape and |
| Chardonnays are often aged in oak barrels and | | | | its wines are usually inexpensive. This grape is |
| may pick up a vanilla overtone in aroma and | | | | produced in northern California where it is referred |
| flavor when fermented in this manner. | | | | to as Fume Blanc. Sauvignon Blance is often |
| Chardonnay wines are typically served chilled and | | | | paired with seafood. |
| match well with chicken or any type of dish that | | | | Scheurebe - This grape was developed in |
| uses a heavy cream or buttery type of sauce. | | | | Germany and is a cross between Riesling and |
| Chenin Blanc - This grape is native to the Loire | | | | Sylvaner. Wines produced from the Scheurebe |
| Valley Region located in west central France. It is | | | | grape are aromatic and very fruity. They are |
| also grown in California and South Africa (referred | | | | often described as having a "hint of blackberry". |
| to as "Steen" in South Africa). This type of wine | | | | This is a rare grape grown almost exclusively in |
| usually develops a delicate, fruity flavor. Because | | | | Germany. |
| of the high volume of Chenin Blanc wines | | | | Semillon - This grape is used to produce table |
| produced, this type of wine is usually inexpensive. | | | | wines and is often identified with Sauternes table |
| Gewurztraminer - This grape is noted for its floral | | | | wines produced in Bordeaux, France. This is a |
| fragrance and spicy flavor. Native to Italy, | | | | resilient grape that ripens in early season and is |
| Gewurztraminer is also successfully grown in | | | | less likely to be damaged by frost or rain. |
| France, California, Germany and New Zealand. | | | | Although Semillon is successfully grown in California |
| Crops tend to fair better in cooler climates. This | | | | and Washington, the acreage is severely limited. |
| type of wine is often paired with spicy foods. | | | | Sylvaner - This grape is primarily grown in |
| Johannisberg Riesling - This grape does better in | | | | Germany and northern Europe. It can also be |
| cooler climates and is known for its high | | | | found in the wine producing region of Alsace, |
| resistance to frost. Production is typically sparse | | | | France. The aroma and flavor of Sylvaner are |
| with Riesling wines. Riesling is grown successfully in | | | | similar (but not nearly as potent) to Johannisberg |
| California, Washington, Germany, and other | | | | Riesling. This is a high acidity wine that is naturally |
| northern European growing regions. Wines | | | | sweet, and is sometimes made into a dessert |
| produced from Riesling are universally rare, | | | | wine. |