Knowing the most important grapes is the key to understanding wine. When you know what Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc taste like, you can navigate the wine menu and supermarket shelves with much more confidence.
Red wine grapes
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Red wine
Pinot Noir
The elegant Bourgogne grape. Light, silky smooth and complex — with red berries and floral notes.
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Red wine
Merlot
Soft, fruity and approachable. Dominates in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux.
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Red wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
Powerful, tannin-rich and age-worthy. Blackcurrant and cedar. The backbone of Bordeaux.
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Red wine grapes — more
Red wine
Syrah / Shiraz
Spicy, dark and smoky. Northern Rhône as Syrah, Australia as Shiraz — both magnificent.
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Red wine
Tempranillo
Spain's most important grape. The backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero — strawberry, leather and spices.
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Red wine
Malbec
Argentina's signature wine. Soft, dark fruit with chocolate and vanilla — made for grilled food.
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Red wine
Grenache
Warm and fruity with high alcohol. The cornerstone of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many Rhône wines.
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Rosé
Rosé
The pink wine explained — how it's made, the Provence style and what it pairs with.
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White wine grapes
White wine
Chardonnay
The world's most planted white wine grape. From crisp mineral Chablis to full-bodied, oaked California.
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White wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh, aromatic and herbaceous. From Loire (Sancerre) to New Zealand (Marlborough).
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White wine
Riesling
From bone dry to honey sweet. Germany's most noble grape with unmatched acidity structure.
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