Grape Varieties

Marsanne is a white grape variety from the Northern Rhône Valley, which has found its way around the world. Today, it thrives in California and Australia. Marsanne tends to be medium-bodied, with low to medium levels of acidity. It typically has flavours and aromas of stone fruit (peach, apricot, and nectarine), and notes of honeysuckle. As it ages, it develops even more honeyed characteristics with hints of almonds.

Fun Fact

Marsanne can also produce excellent sweet wines, made from grapes dried on straw mats.

Food Pairing

Marsanne pairs well with rich seafood and shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp, seabass, clams, and mussels), as well as rich creamy sauces and cheese.

Merlot is one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes. It can adapt to a variety of climates to produce wines that can be velvety and plummy, or rich and oaky. Generally, wines produced from Merlot are medium- to full-bodied, with medium acidity, medium to high alcohol, and soft tannins. Merlot has a range of flavours and aromas, from herbs and blackberries to black cherries, plums, and cocoa. Vanilla, clove, and cedar may also be present with oak aging. Merlot can also produce both rosé and white wines, although these are not so common.

Fun Fact

1. The word Merlot is French for “the little blackbird.”

2. In the movie Sideways, one of the main characters makes a point of expressing his disgust for Merlot with the infamous line: “No, if anybody orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am not drinking any fucking Merlot!”. As a result, sales of Merlot fell sharply and have yet to recover. Whatever you may think of Merlot, it makes some of the world's most famous wines, with Chateau Pétrus from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, being just one example of a truly outstanding wine.

Foods Pairing

Merlot is a much loved and versatile food wine that goes great with white and dark meats, including chicken, turkey, and pork. It’s a great weeknight wine, as it pairs well with pasta, burgers, pizza, or a hearty bean dish. Try it with a French Sausage & Bean Casserole. (https://www.recipetineats.com/french-sausage-bean-casserole/)

Montepulciano is a red wine grape grown widely in Italy and most famously associated with the eastern regions of Abruzzo and Marche. Montepulciano generally produces wines that are medium to full-bodied, with medium to high tannins and medium acidity. Montepulciano exhibits deep black-fruit flavours such as boysenberry, blackberry, prune, and liquorice with notes of cocoa, vanilla, and mocha when aged in oak. Montepulciano can also be made into a lighter rosato (rosé) style with red fruit flavours of sour cherry, red plum, cranberry, and raspberry, with notes of violet and dried herbs.

Fun fact:

1. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is not in fact made from the Montepulciano grape. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany and is made from the Sangiovese grape.

Food Pairing:

Montepulciano is great with Italian dishes (as you would expect) and goes great with meaty dishes of substance (fat or cheese) like lasagne (https://www.marionskitchen.com/marions-best-lasagne/)!

Mourvédre is a red wine grape thought to have originated in Spain however is now found all over the world. Although it can be made as a light and fruity rose, wines produced from Mourvedre are generally full-bodied with medium to high acidity, bold tannins, and flavours and aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, with florals (violet and lavender) notes and savoury characters (black pepper, smoke, meat, earth, thyme).

Fun Facts

1. Mourvedre is also known as Mataro and Monastrell

2. Mourvedre puts the M in the famous Rhone blend of GSM.

Food Pairing

Mourvédre pairs well with rich meats like beef, lamb, and game (wild pork and venison). It is also great with barbequed everything from sausages to vegetable kebabs.

Müller-Thurgau is a white wine grape variety from Germany and is well suited to cooler wine-growing regions. Müller-Thurgau produces wines with low acidity and flavours and aromas of peach, apple, and pear, with floral notes (white flowers). Müller-Thurgau will often have some residual sugar so will be off-dry to medium sweet and is best consumed young to enjoy the light and fruity aromatics.

Fun Fact

1. Muller-Thurgau was created in 1882 and is a crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale.

2. Muller Thurgau is also called Rivaner and Riesling-Sylvaner.

Food Pairings

Müller-Thurgau pairs well with tropical and spicy food like spicey crab, seafood laksa, and hot peppered noodle dishes.

With over 200 varieties, Muscat is the name of one of the oldest grape families in the world. Muscat generally produces white wines known for their aromatic quality of citrus, spice, grape, and floral (rose, jasmine, and orange blossom). Wines made from Muscat grapes can be dry to sweet, sparkling, dessert, and fortified.

Fun Facts

1. Muscat grapes are also commonly found as table grapes which is why muscat wines are often described as being "grapey".

Food Pairing

With so many different expressions of Muscat wines, it is difficult to give a comprehensive list of food pairings. However, I suggest you try a sweet dessert Muscat paired with chocolate, dried fruits, strong cheeses, ice cream, or coffee.

Nebbiolo is a red wine grape varietal traditionally associated with the Piedmont region in Northern Italian. The grape produces wines that are generally, medium-full bodied with relatively high alcohol levels, high tannin, and bright acidity. Nebbiolo is light in colour (light ruby to brick orange) with flavours and aromas of cherries, raspberries, roses, violet, herbs, tar, and tobacco.

Fun Facts

1. The name Nebbiolo either comes from the Italian word for fog “nebbia” which refers to the white, powder-like natural bloom on the grapes that appears during harvest season. Or, from the fact that the best Nebbiolo sites are located above the fog that collects in the valley.

2. Nebbiolo is probably famously associated with Barolo and Barbaresco which are two of the world’s most revered (and more expensive) wines.

3. Traditionally Nebbiolo wines have needed aging in barrel or/and bottle to soften the high tannins. However modern winemaking techniques have made more approachable younger drinking styles, not unlike Pinot Noir.

4. Nebbiolo can also make bright and fruity roses.

5. Nebbiolo's has found its way to pretty much every one of the "New World" wine nations including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa.

Food Pairing

Nebbiolo pairs well with food that has generous fat, butter, and olive oil. Nebbiolo also goes well with savory Chinese dishes and spice-driven Asian cuisine.

Petit Verdot is a red wine grape thought to originate from Bordeaux, southwestern France. You will more commonly find Petit Verdot as part of a blend where it adds deep colour, tannin, and floral aromas of violet. In the new world and warmer climates where it can fully (and more importantly consistently) ripen, Petit Verdot is produced as a single-varietal wine that is generally full-bodied with high tannin, and bright acidity. Petit Verdot has flavours and aromas of black fruit (plum, blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry) with floral notes of violet, lilac, and sage.

Fun Facts

1. Petit Verdot is one of the important blending red varieties of Bordeaux, providing tannin, colour, and weight to this region’s famous blend.

2. Petit Verdot in French means “little green one” because it can struggle to ripen, sometimes even remaining green at harvest.

Food Pairing

Petit Verdot pairs well with a range of food from roast lamb, beef burgers, and Chinese barbecue pork.

Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape variety used in the production of still, sparkling, and sweet dessert wines. Pinot Blanc is thought to originate in Burgundy; however, its spiritual home is the Alsace region of northern France. Pinot Blanc wines from Alsace are generally light-bodied with flavours and aromas of white pear, golden apple, and white flowers. Pinot Blanc can also be made in a fuller-bodied style with aging in small oak barrels, malolactic conversion, and lees stirring. In northwest Italy, where it is known as Pinot Bianco, it makes lighter, crisper wines and is often blended with other grape varieties. Pinot Blanc is also commercially produced in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Fun Fact

1. Pinot Blanc is a white mutation of Pinot Noir.

2. The variety is also one of the little-seen varieties permitted in the Champagne blend.

3. Pinot Blanc's high natural acidity makes it a popular choice in the production of sparkling wine in Alsace and California and in Canada it is made as an ice wine.

Food Pairing

Pinot Blanc pairs well with dishes such as quiche lorraine, grilled chicken, and Pad Thai noodles.

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris is a grey-pink wine grape originating from Burgundy France, which makes a range of dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling wines. Pinot Gris (‘grey’ in French) and Pinot Grigio (‘grey’ in Italian) are the same grape made into two different styles of wine. The French Pinot Gris style is generally floral and high in alcohol, with ripe fruit flavours (apple, pear) and a hit of honey and white flowers. The Italian Pinot Grigio style is generally dryer, and crisper with subtle aromas and flavours of lime, apple, and white nectarine. While these wines aren’t united by a single varietal flavour or aroma, apple, pear, honeysuckle, and citrus are the most common characteristics found across both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.

Fun Fact

1. Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape.

2. Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are produced the world over and the label on the bottle Gris or Grigio will help the consumer know which style they are drinking.

Food Pairings

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are both great food wines, with naturally high acidity, pair well with fish and shellfish, semi-soft to firm cow cheeses, and white meats such as chicken and turkey.

Pinotage is a red wine grape that was bred in South Africa in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (known as Hermitage at the time). Pinotage wine has bold tannins but tends to have lower levels of acidity and for this reason, winemakers often add acid to help balance the wine. Pinotage is dense in colour with flavours and aromas of raspberry, plum, blackberry, tar, chocolate, liquorice, and tobacco.

Fun Facts

1. Pinotage is delicious when made well, however, if it goes wrong it can have high levels of volatile acidity (VA) which can smell like nail polish remover.

Food pairing

Pinotage is a great barbecue-friendly wine.

Pinot Meunier is a red wine grape varietal thought to originate in northern France. Pinot Meunier produces wines that are generally light-bodied with bright acidity and flavours and aromas of red cherry, cranberry, white strawberry, 5 spice, and smoke.

Fun Facts

1. This grape plays a supporting role (alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) in the most prestigious champagnes.

Food Pairing

Pinot Meunier can be a great match with richer flavoured fish, such as tuna and salmon. It has a natural affinity with pork and duck and can also work with the spice of Middle Eastern foods.

Top Pick

For an everyday drinking wine try…

- 2021 Bande Apart Pinot Meunier

For those special occasions (or a WoW Wednesday!) try…

- 2016 Great Western Pinot Meunier

Pinot Noir is a red wine grape originally from the Burgundy region in France but is now found all around the world. Pinot Noir produces a wine pale in colour with bright acidity and soft tannins. Pinot Noir has flavours and aromas of raspberries, strawberries, and red cherries with notes of violet. As it ages, Pinot Noir develops savoury characteristics like meat, smoke, mushroom, and a distinct earthiness.

Fun Facts

1. Pinot Noir along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier is one of the main grapes varieties used to make Champagne.

Food pairing

With lovely bright acidity, Pinot Noir is a fantastic food pairing wine, and pairs particularly well with duck, chicken, pork, and mushrooms. Try it slightly chilled in the summer months or for something a little different drop a fresh strawberry into a glass of Pinot rose.

Top Picks

For an everyday drinking wine try…

- 2018 Bromley Harrison Vineyard Pinot Noir

For those special occasions (or a WoW Wednesday!) try…

- 2019 Buisson Saint Romain Rouge Sous Roche

Primitivo is a red wine grape that originated from Croatia and found home in Puglia, Italy. In the New World, Primitivo thrives in California, where it's known as Zinfandel. Primitivo produces bold wines, usually full-bodied with high alcohol, medium tannins, and medium acidity. Its flavours and aromas are typically ripe dark berries (blueberry and blackberry) with notes of liquorice, dark chocolate, and black pepper. In addition, aged Primitivo will have tertiary flavours and aromas of preserves, dried fruit, prunes, leather, and tobacco. Primitivo is a versatile grape variety that produces elegant Rosato (rosé) wines and luscious fortified wines.

Fun Facts

1. The Italian name for the grape, Primitivo, comes from the Latin word "primativus," which means "early ripener."

2. Primitivo ripens unevenly, so bunches have to be left on the vine to ripen fully. This leads to high sugar in the berries, which in turn makes for high-alcohol wines.

Food Pairing

Primitive pairs well with Italian classics like pizzas or calzone stuffed with roasted onions, tomatoes, anchovies, and olives.

Riesling is an aromatic white wine grape variety thought to originate from the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is now found all over the world however is most at home in cool climates. Riesling has refreshingly high acidity and can be produced in a range of styles, from dry to sweet, sparkling, and ice wine. As an aromatic grape variety, Riesling has intense flavours and aromas of lime, lemon, nectarine, apricot, apple, pear, and white flowers (jasmine).

Fun Facts

1. Because of the naturally high acidity, Riesling can age very well. Aged Riesling will have notes of honey, nut, and a distinct aroma similar to petrol.

Food Pairing

Riesling's sweetness and acidity make the perfect pairing for oysters, shellfish, salads, and aged or fresh cheeses. Riesling with a bit of sweetness also works wonderfully well with spicy food like Indian curries and Thai salads.

Roussanne is a white wine grape varietal originating in the Rhone region of France. Roussanne produces full-bodied white wines with flavours and aromas of peach, melon, and pear, with subtle notes of herbs, nuts, and white flowers. Roussanne is often found in a blend where it brings acidity and aromatic complexity.

Fun Fact

1. When ripe, the Roussanne grape takes on gold, copper-tinted colouring.

2. Roussanne is one of the six white wine grapes permitted in Chateauneuf du Pape.

Food Pairing

Full-bodied and oak-aged Roussanne pairs particularly well with seafood like lobster and crab and rich meats such as foie gras and pâté.

Sangiovese is a red wine grape indigenous to Italy. The Sangiovese grape can adapt to a variety of environments, which means wines made with Sangiovese grapes can taste very different based on climate, terroir, and winemaking. Sangiovese typically produces red wines that are medium to full-bodied with high tannins and acidity. Sangiovese wines typically have flavours and aromas of cherry and plum with notes of dried herbs, violet, liquorice, and terracotta. As it ages, Sangiovese develops tertiary flavours and aromas of leather, tobacco, and smoke.

Fun Facts

1. It's Italy's most widely planted red grape variety.

2. The name Sangiovese comes from a Latin term meaning "the blood of Jupiter."

Food Pairing

Sangiovese's tangy acidity goes well with tomato-based dishes, so think anything Italian from pasta to pizza to rich roasted meat, cured sausages, and hard cheeses.

Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine grape from western France, now thriving in wine regions all over the world. The Sauvignon Blanc grape variety produces light to medium-body white wine with very bright acidity. Sauvignon Blanc ranges greatly depending on where it grows and the ripeness at the time of harvest. Typical flavours and aromas include gooseberry, white peach, passionfruit, grapefruit, grass, green pepper, and asparagus.

Sauvignon Blanc in France is often found as a single varietal in the Loire, while in Bordeaux is more often blended with Semillon. However, Sauvignon Blanc is probably most famously associated with New Zealand, which brought this grape varietal to the attention of the global community. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc produces a highly aromatic expression of the wine with flavours and aromas of gooseberries, grapefruit, asparagus, and passionfruit.

Fun Facts

1. In her book "How to Taste" wine critic Jancis Robinson describes Sauvignon Blanc as "cats' pee on a gooseberry bush."

2. International Sauvignon Blanc Day is the 3rd of May.

Food pairings

Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful food wine with lively and bright acidity. Try a simple salad with goat's cheese or grilled asparagus with hollandaise. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the few wines that pairs well with sushi and is delicious with oysters.

Tanat is a red wine grape originally from the Basque country, on the border between France and Spain. Tannat creates red wines that are deeply coloured, with bold tannins and high acidity. The typical flavour and aroma profile of plum, blackberry, and black cherry with liquorice, vanilla, dark chocolate, and smoke. Tannat is considered rustic and earthy wine and benefits from aging.

Fun Facts

1. Tannat is the signature grape of Uruguay

2. Tannat has been known as one of the healthiest red wine grapes because it has high levels of antioxidants.

Food Pairings

With bold tannins and flavours, Tannat goes well with meat. This robust wine works well with spicey sausages, lamb skewers, or a steak.

Trebbiano, or Trebbiano Toscano, is a white wine grape with amber-coloured berries originating from Italy. As a dry white table wine, Trebbiano Toscano is best drunk young and with food. Wines produced from Trebbiano generally have bright acidity with flavours and aromas of citrus, apple, and tropical fruits. Trebbiano Toscano is ideal for blending with other grape varietals to make light wines or as the base wine for brandy production. Trebbiano Toscano is also the traditional grape used for balsamic vinegar production.

Fun Facts

1. Trebbiano may refer to a number of distinct grape varieties, with at least six Italian types known primarily by that name.

2. Trebbiano is also known as Ugni Blanc (in France, as well as South and North America), Falanchina (Italy), Talia (Portugal and Bulgaria), White Hermitage (Australia)

3. Where a grape is referred to as simply "Trebbiano," it is likely to be of this variety.

Food Pairing

Trebbiano pairs well with hard Italian cheeses, seafood pasta, white pizza, roast chicken, and pesto dishes.

Verdicchio is a white wine grape from the Marche region of central Italy. It's considered one of Italy's most versatile white wine grape varieties, making both light, easy-drinking wines and more rich, complex, and age-worthy styles. Verdicchio is naturally high in acidity with flavours and aromas of peach, citrus (lemon and grapefruit) with almond which can be bitter when young, or marzipan and honey as the wine ages.

Fun facts

1. Verdicchio is also known as Trebbiano di Soave, Trebbiano di Lugana, Trebbiano Valtanesi, Marchigiano, Turbiana.

2. With high acidity, Verdicchio is often used for making sparkling wine

Food Pairing

Verdicchio is a great aperitif wine and goes well with prosciutto, cheese, and olives.

Viognier is a white wine grape variety that originated in the Northern Rhône. Viognier produces golden-coloured, aromatic white wines, which are generally medium to full-bodied with high alcohol levels and medium to low acidity. Viognier almost always has a distinct oily sensation in the mouth, a characteristic of wines made with this grape. Viognier has pronounced flavours and aromas of peach, apricot, and tangerine alongside notes of honeysuckle, chamomile, lavender, thyme, and even a hint of pine.

Fun facts

1. Viognier is sometimes found blended with Syrah in red wines.

2. Viognier is often picked a little early to retain higher acidity in the grapes

3. Viognier is best known for being the grape of the white wine of Condrieu, France,

Food Pairing

Viognier paired with light meats or seafood. Try a late-harvest Viognier with a glazed apricot tart.

Zinfandel is an alternative name for Primitivo, an Italian red wine grape variety. In the New World, Zinfandel is most commonly associated with California. Zinfandel produces bold wines, usually full-bodied with high alcohol, medium tannins, and medium acidity. Its flavours and aromas are typically ripe blueberry and blackberry with notes of liquorice, dark chocolate, and black pepper. Aged Zinfandel will have tertiary flavours and aromas of preserves, dried fruit, prunes, leather, and tobacco. Zinfandel also produces a rosé called White Zinfandel.

Fun Facts

1. White Zinfandel is actually pink.

2. Zinfandel day is the 3rd Wednesday in November.

3. Zinfandel is notorious for uneven ripening, so bunches must be left on the vine to ripen fully. This leads to high sugar in the berries, which in turn makes for high-alcohol wines.

Food Pairing

Zinfandel pairs well with middle eastern spiced dishes, which draws out the wine's chocolate and cinnamon-spice subtleties.