When it comes to grape wine, naturally you can't get away from the place of origin and the grape variety, but there are a huge number of grape varieties that can be used to make grape wine, and we don't have a full grasp of the complexity of them, which is beyond our imagination. Today we take a look at the world's top ten grape varieties and see what charm they bring to the world of grape wine.
01 Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon may be considered a grape. Due to its adaptability, it can be found in all major grape wine regions. The charm of Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the cultivation of time. Cabernet Sauvignon grape wines from good appellations and vintages have a good ten to twenty years to drink, so buy them while they are young (and inexpensive), store them carefully, and wait for the right time to enjoy them.
Reasonable growing conditions: the grapes grow evenly and ripen fully in mildly hot appellations, well-drained soils, moderate temperatures, cool nights, and plenty of sunshine. Aromatic expression: in mild climates, aromas of black fruits and herbs predominate; in hot climates, in addition to black fruits, herbal and black olive flavors are expressed. Uniqueness: powerful tannins and a full-bodied flavor. Classic appellations: Bordeaux, France, mostly used for blending, i.e. mixing with other varieties, especially Merlot, Napa Valley, California, U.S.A., some southern Australian appellations, Mendoza, Argentina.
02 Merlot Merlot
Merlot rose to fame because Chateau Petrus (95 ~ 98% of Merlot is the main variety) gained more attention in the wine industry. Prior to this, Merlot was like a Cabernet Sauvignon's sidekick, existing as a hook variety for making Cabernet Sauvignon red wines, only to enhance the balance and structural beauty of Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot grape wines are usually best consumed within three to ten years. Reasonable growing conditions: Prefers mild climates and hot climates. Aromatic expression: mild climate with red fruits as the dominant aroma and medium or even low tannins; however, in hot climates, there will be black fruits aromas with softer and higher tannins. Unique points: low tannin content, but rich in alcohol, the fruit is particularly rich and sweet, and the wine matures quickly.
Classic Appellation: Bordeaux, France's largest production: grape varieties, accounting for half of the total production of black grapes, in France, the third total production of varieties of Pomerol and St. Emilion is up to two-thirds. Melaleuca is grown in 14 of the 20 main Italian appellations, especially in northeastern Italy, and is also the most productive grape variety in Romania. Argentina is also one of the most important varieties in Bulgaria and Latin America, ranking second in total production. In Hungary, Merlot is known as Medoc Medoc.
03According to Aaron
Ariel Blanc is an ancient white grape variety that originated in Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, and is also known as "Manchega" in Spain. In Spain, Ariel wines play an important role in brandy making and are often used as the base wine for brandy. This grape variety is also blended with the darker Tempranillo to produce lighter red wines. Reasonable growing conditions: it can grow in hot, dry environments with poor soils. Aromatic expression: wines made from this grape variety have a crunchy texture and are suitable for young drinkers. Uniqueness: remarkable resistance to drought and extremely resistant to pests and diseases, it is possible to produce high quality grape products without careful management. Classic Appellation: Central Spain, the most widely planted grape variety in Spain.
04 Tim Planillo (Tempranillo)
The grape wine made is originally from Rioja, Spain, and is a red grape wine with a rich color, often paired with fire pits. Blends very well with RiojaBaja and Grignash from Navarre. Also the main variety of Ribera del Duero, which is becoming increasingly popular in Castile. Aromas: raspberry, blueberry, mulberry and cherry. There are also pine, licorice and cinnamon with smoky notes. Unique points: the red wine produced has a deep color, good composition and low alcohol. Classical appellations: Spain, Grape Jamaica, Argentina
05 Chardonnay
Chardonnay enjoys a great reputation in the global grape wine regions because it is easy to grow, adaptable and easy to brew. It and Cabernet Sauvignon are like black and white evil spirits at the border of grapes, and are known as the kings of red and white grapes respectively. Chardonnay alone, when paired with other grape varieties, brings not only different taste enjoyment, but also different flavors. Reasonable growing conditions: can be grown in a variety of climates. Aromatic expression: Reflects flavors of green, lemony fruits in cold climates, notes of drupes and melons in mild climates, and tropical fruits in hot climates. Unique points: several varieties of white grapes can be stored with great wine power. When the wine is pale yellow and green in color, it is fruity and refreshing. As the wine ages, the color turns yellow or golden yellow, and the fresh fruit flavor gradually disappears, slowly transforming into a colorful and complex flavor, with a significantly stronger finish. Classic appellations: Western Australia, Bourgogne, France. Chardonnay is the only white grape variety grown in Bourgogne.
06Sila Syrah
Reasonable growing conditions: favoring mild climate, but favoring hot climate. Aromatic expression: peppery and black fruits are characteristic in mild climates, while black fruits are spicy in hot climates. When you drink it during the ripening period, you can feel the floral aroma, the sweetness of chocolate, and the richness emanating from the Syrah. Unique features: deep red color, deep and bottomless, tannin content, acidity, wine sense are "three high". Classic appellations: Australia and parts of the United States, as well as France's Long River, Sila is the only red grape variety in the northern Rh?ne, France.
07 Fire pit Grenache
Reasonable growing conditions: hot climate. Aroma: typical red fruits (strawberry, raspberry) with spicy notes. Spicy flavors after aging include toffee notes and leather. Unique points: Because of the thin skin of the fire pit, it is easy to make peach wines, light and fruity. Classic appellations: France south of the Rhone, southern France, Spain.
08 Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc, also known as smoked white, is native to the Loire River in France. It is the only legal white grape variety in Sanchez and Puyuma smoke, and the grape variety used in Bordeaux's unsweetened wines. its The optimal drinking period for grape wines is light age (within 2-3 years). The ideal growing conditions: it prefers both cold and mild climates. Aromatic expression: cold climate, spicy flavor, reflecting the characteristics of guava; mild climate, with aromas of drupe Unique point: a good bottle of white Sauvignon Blanc will have a smoky wine aroma, with higher acidity and more prominent fruit. Classic appellations: New Zealand, Bordeaux, France and some US appellations.
09Baiyuni Trebbiano
Baiyuni, also known as Baiyuni. Eurasian species. Native to France, it is one of the three most famous French brandy varieties, known as Cognac. Reasonable growing conditions: a late-emerging variety, bushy-branched, highly productive, adaptable, no need to worry about spring frosts, ripens relatively late but tends to be picked before full ripeness in order to maintain the high acidity of the fruit. Albizia is resistant to powdery mildew and gray mold, but is susceptible to downy mildew and should be planted to protect it from windy weather. Aroma: botanical, cinnamon, clove. Unique points: low acidity, low alcohol, usually used to make top-quality brandy. Classic origin: France, Italy, the United States
10 Pinot Noir Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir fame is relatively early, known since the Middle Ages, but extremely delicate. The irregular fruit growth is easily crushed and damaged during the growth process, and the skin is thin and susceptible to external factors such as weather. Great care must also be taken during the vinification process. A little high temperature, the wine will be smothered and scorched, the temperature is too conservative and not enough, the aroma is mediocre and lack of flavor. Reasonable growing conditions: e.g. cold climate and mild climate Aroma expression: red fruit aroma with low tannin content in cold climate; in mild climate, still red fruit flavor but with slightly higher tannin content. Uniqueness: high acidity and light color, suitable for making Champagne in cold regions, while Pinot Noir grapes produced outside of Burgundy, France, are mostly used for making sparkling wine.