Wine glossary
Wine glossary: Grapes
The grape names behind the wine — the classic varieties and what each one brings to the glass.
Grapes terms
- Grape variety
- The specific type of grape a wine is made from, such as Merlot or Chardonnay. Sometimes called the ‘varietal’. It’s the single biggest clue to how a wine will taste.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- A widely planted red grape making bold, structured wines with firm tannin and blackcurrant flavours. A cornerstone of Bordeaux and popular worldwide.
- Merlot
- A red grape making softer, rounder, plummy wines with gentler tannin. Approachable on its own and a common blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Pinot Noir
- A lighter-bodied red grape known for red-berry fruit, silky texture and delicacy. Famous in Burgundy and prized for its finesse.
- Chardonnay
- A versatile white grape that can be crisp and unoaked or rich and buttery depending on how it’s made. Grown almost everywhere wine is made.
- Sauvignon Blanc
- An aromatic white grape making zesty, refreshing wines with grassy, citrus and green notes. Loved for its bright, mouth-watering acidity.
- Riesling
- An aromatic white grape making wines that range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, always with vivid acidity and floral, citrus and stone-fruit notes.
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