Wine Tasting – Grape Varieties and Descriptors

Wine tasting  is such a heady experience, not least due to the fact that there are numerous varieties of grapes from which wines are made. Wine tasting does not have to be mysterious, elaborate or something that anyone can’t try.
The varieties of grapes are evaluated and compared in wine tasting mainly by using common sensory descriptors that describe the various flavors and aromas of a wine. The table below is a brief illustration of some of the better known wine grape varieties and their descriptors.

Red Wine Grapes

• Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular varieties of grapes. It grows almost in all wine producing regions of the world except in those with very cold climates. The wine obtained from this grape variety is full bodied and high in tannin. The dominant descriptor of flavor and aroma of a Cabernet Sauvignon wine is black currants with hints of eucalyptus oil, tobacco and chocolate. Because of its very high tannin content this grape is often blended with other red wine grapes.

• Merlot is a red wine grape with considerably low tannin content which makes it a very popular choice with wine makers. The wine from Merlot is deep in color, full bodied, and the alcohol content is high. The major descriptor of this wine is plums. The accompanying tones are black cherry, tomato, chocolate and tea leaves. Merlot is used to make both inexpensive wines and wines in higher ranges.

• Pinotage is a grape that was developed by a South African scientist by crossing two varieties of grapes called Cinsaut and Pinot Noir. The resultant red wine grape is very hardy and easy to cultivate. This variety is generally harvested in South Africa. The wine from this grape is medium bodied and very high in tannin. Acid and sugar content is also quite high hence various measures are adopted during fermentation to control these factors. The result is a beautiful wine with a sensory descriptor of bramble fruits like mulberry, blackberry and damson fruit.

White Wine Grapes

• Chardonnay is the grape used to make the best dry wines in the world. It is a principal constituent of Champagne. This grape is a universal favorite mainly because it can adapt to almost any climate and also its name on any wine bottle label is a sure way to sell that wine. Chardonnay wines are generally fermented in oak barrels as the oak flavors complement the flavors of this grape very well.  A Chardonnay wine is normally full bodied and has a high acid content. In wine tasting circles the descriptors of wines from this grape variety are termed as fruity. It displays mainly, tones of apples if harvested in cold regions and pineapples in the warmer places. The oak flavors lend hints of vanilla. Some wines from this grape also display subtle earthy aromas like mushroom.
• Chenin Blanc is a variety of grape that gives great wines. This grape is grown in some wine producing countries but it is mainly harvested in France. The wine from this grape has high viscosity and the acid content is also quite high. The oily texture of these wines makes wine tasting  very pleasurable as the taste lingers inside your mouth. The main descriptor of wines from this grape variety is beeswax, with delightful tones of apple, honey, almond and even wet wool.

• Muscat is an aromatic grape cultivated mainly in Italy and some other parts of Europe. This grape variety gives excellent dessert wines high in acid with floral fragrances. The descriptors of Muscat grape wines are grapes, honey and lime.

• Pinot Gris is also called Pinot Grigio in Italy. This grape is grown mostly in Italy and Germany and some regions of France. This grape gives a medium to full bodied wine of deeper color and low acidity. The descriptors are fruity like white peach, pear and apricot and there are some hints of orange skins in wines from this grape variety.

• Sauvignon Blanc is a highly acidic grape and its light to medium bodied wines, possess distinct flavors and aromas. This variety of white wine grape is mostly grown in France but other parts of the wine making world also cultivate it. The dominant descriptor of wines fro Sauvignon Blanc grapes is cut grass accompanied by notes of various fruits and vegetables like bell pepper of capsicum, asparagus, gooseberry, lime, grapefruit, guava, and passion fruit. These tones vary with the climate.

• Sémillon is a classic grape variety mainly found in Australia and Southwestern France. This grape is used mostly blended with other grapes to give fine dessert wines with low acid levels. The descriptors of wines from this variety of grapes are honey, orange and lime.

• Viognier is a native of Rhone Valley in France but is slowly gaining popularity in other wine producing regions. This variety of grape gives medium to full bodied wines with low acidity. The descriptors are fruity like apricot, pear, nutmeg and peach.

The list of wine grape varieties is almost endless. The chart above and the descriptions of the more popular varieties should help to enrich your knowledge of wines and wine tasting.

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