| When only one variety of grapes is used to make | | | | to soften the tannins. When blended with Merlot |
| a wine, the wine is called a varietal and is named | | | | and perhaps Cabernet Franc as well, this |
| after that grape. Regulations vary by location, but | | | | Bordeaux style blend is called Meritage in the |
| in California at least 75% of the juice in a wine | | | | United States. |
| must be of a particular grape in order for the | | | | Food and Wine Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon is the |
| wine to be labeled as a varietal. | | | | classic wine to serve with red meats. |
| TYPES OF WHITE WINES | | | | Origin Cabernet Sauvignon is a well known grape |
| Chardonnay | | | | of Bordeaux, France. Superb Cabernets are being |
| (Shar-doe-nay) | | | | produced in California (especially the Napa Valley), |
| This popular dry white wine is more full bodied | | | | Washington, Italy, Australia, and Chile. |
| than other white wines. Chardonnay has aromas | | | | Merlot |
| of fruits and acidity. The aroma typically has | | | | (Mare-lo) |
| flavors of lemon or grapefruit. Fermentation in | | | | Merlot is softer tasting than Cabernet Sauvignon |
| new oak barrels results in a rich, buttery taste | | | | due to having less tannins. It is a smooth, dry |
| often described as toastiness, vanilla, apple, nutty, | | | | wine. Merlot is often described as having the |
| or toffee. Chardonnays aged in French oak result | | | | flavors of boysenberry, black cherry, herbs, and |
| in a milder flavor than those aged in American | | | | mocha. |
| oak. | | | | Food and Wine Pairing Merlot is best with poultry |
| Food and Wine Pairing: Chardonnay goes well with | | | | and grilled meats, but actually goes well with most |
| chicken, seafood, and fish. | | | | foods. |
| Origin: Chardonnay originated from the Burgundy | | | | Origin Merlot originates from Bordeaux in France |
| area of France. There are many world-class | | | | where it is the most commonly planted grape. |
| Chardonnays being produced in California. | | | | You can find many great Merlots from California, |
| Sauvignon Blanc | | | | Oregon, and Washington. |
| (So-veen-yawn-blah) | | | | Pinot Noir |
| Lighter than Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc usually | | | | (Pee-no Na-wahr) |
| has a grassy citrus aroma. Flavors range from | | | | Pinot Noir is a smooth silky wine that is extremely |
| apple, pear, green tea, limes and freshly mowed | | | | fruity. It is characterized with aromas and flavors |
| grass. You can often detect a little smokiness. | | | | of black cherry or rose petals along with hints of |
| California Sauvignon Blancs sometimes have a | | | | spiciness or herbal qualities. Pinot Noirs are |
| melon flavor. This is a crisp light wine with a | | | | enjoyed for their soft velvety texture. High in |
| strong acid finish. It is also called Fume Blanc. | | | | alcohol, they are full bodied but not heavy. |
| American Sauvignon Blanc tends to be grassier | | | | Food and Wine Pairing Pinot Noir is best served |
| than those produced in New Zealand. | | | | with grilled salmon, roast beef, lamb, duck, and |
| Food and Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc pairs well | | | | mushrooms. |
| with salads, poultry, seafood, and cheese. | | | | Origin Burgandy, France is the area most |
| Origin: Sauvignon Blanc originated from the | | | | recognized for its Pinot Noir. Great Pinots are also |
| Sancerre region of France. Fabulous Sauvignon | | | | being produced in California, Oregon, British |
| Blanc is currently being produced in New Zealand, | | | | Columbia, and New Zealand. |
| South Africa, California, and Washington as well. | | | | Sangiovese |
| Riesling | | | | (San-gee-oh-ve-zee) |
| (Rees-ling) | | | | Sangiovese is a medium bodied dry wine with |
| Rieslings have a floral aroma. They range from | | | | earthy aromas and berry, plum, spicy, or floral |
| very dry and crisp to intensely sweet depending | | | | flavors. It has a smooth texture. Sangiovese is |
| on where it is from. German Riesling is slightly | | | | the main grape used to produce Italian Chiantis. |
| sweet and balanced with some acidity. California | | | | Food and Wine Pairing: Sangiovese goes especially |
| Riesling tends to be sweeter. | | | | well with pasta and other Italian foods. |
| Food and Wine Pairing:Rieslings go well with | | | | Origin: Sangiovese grapes came from the |
| chicken, fish, pork, and spicy foods. | | | | Tuscany region of Italy. California is making some |
| Origin: Rieslings originate from Germany. Great | | | | delicious Sangiovese as well. |
| Rieslings are also produced in New York, | | | | Barbera |
| Washington, California, and Australia. | | | | (Bar-bear-uh) |
| Gewurztraminer | | | | Barbera is often used as a blending grape. As a |
| (Gah-vurtz-tra-meener) | | | | varietal it can exhibit aromas of berries, plums, or |
| Gewurztraminer has a spicy aroma and fruity | | | | cherries with hints of vanilla, toasty, or smoky |
| flavors of peach, apricot, tropical fruits, and | | | | flavors. |
| lychee. It can be dry or sweet. | | | | Food and Wine Pairing:Tomato based pasta dishes |
| Food and Wine Pairing: Gewurztraminers go | | | | are perfect matches to serve with Barbera. |
| especially well with spicy Asian dishes and pork | | | | Origin:Barbera is an Italian wine. However, California |
| sausages. | | | | is producing some wonderful Barbera. |
| Origin: Gewurztraminer comes from the Alsace | | | | Syrah |
| region of France. Fantastic Gewurztraminers are | | | | (Sah-ra) |
| produced in Germany, New York, Washington, | | | | Syrah is a hearty wine noted for its complexity |
| and California. | | | | of aromas and flavors including raspberry, plum, |
| Pinot Grigio | | | | smoke, and white pepper. It is a dark red wine, |
| (Pea-no-gree-zhe-oh) | | | | sometimes almost black in color. This wine is also |
| Pinot Grigio is light and crispy with almond, lemon, | | | | called Shiraz. |
| and vanilla flavors. These wines are also called | | | | Food and Wine Pairing:Syrah is great eaten with |
| Pinot Gris. | | | | duck, wild game, steak, and beef. |
| Food and Wine Pairing: Pinot Grigio goes well with | | | | Origin:Syrah is believe to originate from France. |
| seafood and salmon. | | | | There are great Syrahs produced in France, |
| Origin: Pinot Grigio originated in Burgandy long ago | | | | Australia, South Africa, and California. |
| but is often considered an Italian wine. The grapes | | | | Zinfandel |
| prefer a cold climate, which is why Oregon is able | | | | (Zin-fan-dell) |
| to produce delicious Pinot Grigio. | | | | Zinfandel can be light to full bodied. It can be rich |
| TYPES OF RED WINES | | | | and spicy or lighter and fruitier. Aromas and |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | | | | flavors that are typical include raspberry, jam, |
| (Ca-burr-nay So-veen-yawn) | | | | black pepper, and licorice. |
| Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich full-bodied wine. Aged | | | | Food and Wine Pairing:Zinfandel is wonderful with |
| in oak, this is a complex wine with cassis and | | | | steaks, grilled meats, and tomato based dishes. |
| blackberry flavors as well as hints of bell pepper. | | | | Origin:It is believe that Zinfandel originated in |
| To make these wines drinkable sooner they are | | | | Croatia. It has been grown in California since the |
| often blended with other grapes. French Bordeaux | | | | 1850s with California Zinfandels generally |
| is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot | | | | considered to the best. |