Wine Grape Varieties
(book excerpts)Wine grape varieties of commercial importance represent only a fraction of thousands of grapevine varieties grown throughout the world. The majority of those cultivated for wine production belong to the European vine species Vitis vinifera, which has been used to produce wine for more than six thousand years. In contrast to European varieties, there are many different species of grapes native to America that are commercially grown. The best-known species is Vitis labrusca. There are also French-American varieties that are hybrid crosses between European and native, American varieties. Vitis vinifera varieties are considered by many to be the best for producing world-class wines. Each different grape variety has its own particular character, defined by flavor, color, berry size, phenolics, and the balance of sugars and acids contained in the fruit. Exactly how a grape variety’s characteristics manifest in finished wines is dependent on many factors, the most important of which is the terroir— soil and microclimate within the vineyard—viticultural management practices and the chosen winemaking technique. A named, cultivated grape variety is formally referred to as a “cultivar.” However, the more common designation of “variety” is used in this book because of its greater use in non-technical publications. In Europe, the finest wines are known primarily by their regional names (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, for instance, are the major grapes of the Burgundy region in France). Elsewhere, however—as in Americas, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand—most wines are labeled by their varietal names. In addition to choosing the right variety in planting new vineyards the grower can select clones based on flavor profile, berry size, cluster shape, vine yields, vine vigor, bud break, and tolerances to heat, humidity, and drought.
Click on the following topics for more information on wine grape varieties.
Topics Within This Chapter:
- Native American Grape Varieties
- Red Wine Varieties
- Concord
- White Wine Varieties
- Catawba
- Delaware
- French-American Grape Hybrids
- Red Wine Varieties
- Baco Noir
- Chambourcin
- Chancellor
- Chelois
- Frontenac
- Mar�chal Fochr
- Norton (Cynthiana)
- White Wine Varieties
- Cayuga White
- Chardonel
- Seyval Blanc
- Traminette
- Vidal Blanc
- Vignoles
- European Grape Wine Varieties
- Red Wine Varieties
- Barbera
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Sangiovese
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
- White Wine Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Gew�rztraminer
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Riesling (White Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling)
- Sauvignon Blanc
- S�millon
- Wine Grape Clones
- Grape Registry for Clones
- Selected References