Learn/Grape Varieties
Grape Varieties
Origin, flavor profiles, and winemaking characteristics for the world's most important wine grapes.
156 grapes profiled· 27 synonyms
Abouriou
France (Lot-et-Garonne, Southwest France)
Abouriou is a dark-skinned grape from Lot-et-Garonne in southwest France, long associated with the commune of Villeréal. It is a permitted blending variety in Côtes du Marmandais AOC and also has a foothold in the Loire-Atlantique. Nearly lost to phylloxera, it was rescued from surviving vines and propagated in the early twentieth century.
Agiorgitiko
Greece
Agiorgitiko is a dark-skinned red grape variety native to Greece, primarily grown in the Nemea region of the Peloponnese. It is one of Greece's most important indigenous red wine grapes and has been cultivated for centuries in Mediterranean vineyards.
Aglianico
Southern Italy
Aglianico is a dark-skinned grape variety native to southern Italy, particularly the Campania region. It produces full-bodied red wines known for their structure, complexity, and impressive aging potential. The grape thrives in volcanic soils and has been cultivated for centuries in areas like Taurasi and Vulture.
Albariño
Spain (Galicia)
Albariño is a white wine grape native to the Rías Baixas region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It has become one of Spain's most celebrated white varieties, known for producing crisp, mineral-driven wines with distinctive coastal character. Across the border in Portugal's Minho the same grape is called Alvarinho, where it is one of the two leading white varieties of Vinho Verde and is most closely associated with the Monção e Melgaço subregion.
Alicante Bouschet
France
Alicante Bouschet is a red-fleshed (teinturier) crossing of Petit Bouschet and Grenache, bred by Henri Bouschet in 1866 in France. Both parents are Vitis vinifera, making it a crossing rather than a hybrid. Its red pulp — rare among wine grapes — allows winemakers to deepen color and extract in blends without maceration. Planted across southern France, Spain, and Portugal, and still grown in California.
Aligoté
Burgundy, France
Aligoté is a white wine grape primarily grown in Burgundy, France, known for producing crisp, dry white wines. It is the second most planted white grape in Burgundy after Chardonnay and is often used to create fresh, food-friendly wines with good acidity.
Altesse (Roussette)
Savoie, France
Altesse, also known as Roussette, is a white grape variety native to the Savoie region of the French Alps. It is the primary grape used in the prestigious Roussette de Savoie appellation and is prized for producing elegant, mineral-driven white wines with distinctive character.
Arinto
Portugal
Arinto is a white grape variety native to Portugal, particularly prominent in the Vinho Verde region. Known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with good acidity and mineral qualities, it is increasingly recognized as one of Portugal's finest white wine grapes.
Arneis
Italy (Piedmont)
Arneis is a white wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Known for producing crisp, aromatic white wines, it has gained international recognition in recent decades. The name means "little rascal" in the local Piedmontese dialect, referring to the grape's challenging growing characteristics.
Asprinio
Italy
Asprinio is a rare white grape variety native to the Campania region of southern Italy, particularly around Naples. It is known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with distinctive acidity and is traditionally grown on volcanic soils.
Assyrtiko
Greece
Assyrtiko is a white grape variety native to the Greek island of Santorini, known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines. It thrives in the volcanic soils and challenging climate of the Aegean, developing distinctive characteristics that reflect its terroir.
Auxerrois Blanc
Alsace, France
Auxerrois Blanc is a white grape of Alsatian origin, a natural cross of Pinot and Gouais Blanc, making it a full sibling of Chardonnay. It is regularly confused with Pinot Blanc in Alsace — the two are often blended or co-fermented and sometimes sold under the same label. Auxerrois gives rounder, lower-acid wines than Pinot Blanc, with a more pronounced spice and nutty character. Also planted in Luxembourg, Baden, and British Columbia.
Barbera
Italy
Barbera is a dark-skinned Italian grape variety that produces medium to full-bodied red wines. It is one of Italy's most widely planted varieties, particularly prominent in Piedmont, and is known for its high acidity and low tannins relative to other red grapes.
Baroque
France (Landes, Southwest France)
Baroque is a white grape variety from the Landes department of southwest France, where it is grown almost exclusively in the Tursan appellation. Nearly lost after phylloxera, it survives as a regional specialty producing full-bodied, characterful dry whites with notable weight and alcohol.
Blaufränkisch
Austria
Blaufränkisch is a dark-skinned red wine grape primarily grown in Austria and Hungary. It produces medium-bodied wines with distinctive spicy and herbal characteristics, and has become increasingly recognized for producing high-quality, age-worthy reds.
Bourboulenc
Southern France
Bourboulenc is a white grape variety native to southern France, particularly the Provence and Languedoc regions. It produces crisp, aromatic white wines and is often used in blends with other Mediterranean varieties.
Braquet
France (Provence)
Braquet is a rare red wine grape native to the Provence region of southeastern France, particularly found in the Bellet appellation near Nice. It produces light-bodied, elegant wines with delicate characteristics and is one of the most obscure French varietals.
Cabernet Franc
France (Loire Valley)
Cabernet Franc is a dark-skinned grape variety that is one of the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon. It produces elegant, medium-bodied red wines with distinctive herbal and spicy characteristics. The variety thrives in cooler climates and is particularly renowned in the Loire Valley of France.
Cabernet Sauvignon
France (Bordeaux)
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most prestigious and widely planted red wine grapes. Known for producing full-bodied wines with excellent aging potential, it thrives in diverse climates and has become the flagship variety of many wine regions globally.
Carignan
Spain
Carignan is a dark-skinned red wine grape with a long history in Mediterranean regions, particularly Spain and southern France. Known for producing deeply colored wines with robust tannins, it has experienced a revival in quality-focused winemaking after decades of being used primarily for bulk wine production. Known as Cariñena in Spain, after the Aragonese town of the same name, and as Mazuelo in Rioja, where it is a permitted blending variety.
Carménère
Chile
Carménère is a dark-skinned red wine grape that was originally cultivated in Bordeaux, France, but nearly disappeared from Europe due to phylloxera. It found a new home in Chile in the 19th century, where it thrives and has become the country's signature varietal. Today, Chile is the primary producer of Carménère wines.
Carricante
Sicily, Italy
Carricante is a white grape variety native to Sicily, particularly renowned in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. It produces elegant, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential and is considered one of Sicily's most prestigious indigenous varieties.
Catarratto
Sicily, Italy
Catarratto is a white grape variety native to Sicily and one of Italy's most widely planted white grapes. It is the primary grape used in the production of Marsala wine and is also used for dry white wines. Known for its high productivity and adaptability to warm climates, Catarratto has been cultivated in Sicily for centuries.
Catawba
United States
Catawba is a hybrid grape variety native to the eastern United States, developed in the 19th century. It was historically significant in early American winemaking and remains popular in regions like the Finger Lakes and Ohio. The grape produces wines ranging from dry to sweet styles.
Chambourcin
France
Chambourcin is a French hybrid red grape variety developed in the 1960s by crossing Seibel 13666 and Landal 244. It is known for producing medium-bodied wines with good color and structure, and is particularly valued in cooler climates where it ripens reliably.
Chardonel
United States (hybrid developed in New York)
Chardonel is a French-American hybrid grape created by crossing Chardonnay with Seyval Blanc. It was developed to combine the quality characteristics of Chardonnay with the cold-hardiness and disease resistance of hybrid varieties, making it well-suited for cooler wine regions.
Chardonnay
France (Burgundy)
Chardonnay is one of the world's most versatile and widely planted white wine grapes. It thrives in diverse climates and produces wines ranging from crisp and mineral-driven to rich and buttery, depending on terroir and winemaking techniques.
Chasselas
Switzerland
Chasselas is a white grape variety with a long history in Switzerland, where it is the national grape and primary variety of the Valais region. It produces light, crisp, and delicate wines that are best enjoyed young and fresh.
Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France
Chenin Blanc is a versatile white grape variety that produces wines ranging from dry to sweet, with excellent acidity and aging potential. Known for its adaptability to different terroirs and winemaking styles, it is a cornerstone of Loire Valley viticulture and has become increasingly important in other regions worldwide.
Cinsault
Southern France and Mediterranean regions
Cinsault is a light-bodied red wine grape widely cultivated in Southern France, particularly in Provence, and throughout the Mediterranean. Known for producing fresh, fruity wines with low tannins, it is often used in blends but also makes excellent rosé wines.
Clairette
France
Clairette is a white grape variety native to southern France, particularly the Rhône Valley and Provence regions. It has been cultivated for centuries and is known for producing crisp, dry white wines with good acidity.
Coda di Volpe
Italy (Campania region)
Coda di Volpe is a white wine grape native to the Campania region of southern Italy, particularly around Naples. The name means "fox's tail" in Italian, referring to the distinctive shape of its grape clusters. It has been cultivated for centuries and remains an important variety in Campanian viticulture.
Colombard
France
Colombard is a white wine grape variety originally from the Charente region of France. It is known for producing crisp, aromatic white wines and is widely cultivated in California and South Africa. The grape is valued for its high acidity and distinctive flavor profile.
Cortese
Italy
Cortese is a white grape variety native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is best known for producing Gavi, a crisp and elegant white wine with protected designation of origin status. The grape thrives in the limestone-rich soils of the Gavi region.
Corvina
Italy
Corvina is a red wine grape native to the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. It is the primary grape variety used in Amarone and Valpolicella wines, known for producing elegant, medium-bodied red wines with good structure and aging potential.
Counoise
France
Counoise is a dark-skinned red wine grape primarily grown in the Rhône Valley of southeastern France. It is traditionally used as a blending grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other southern Rhône wines, valued for its ability to add complexity and structure to blends.
Dolcetto
Italy (Piedmont)
Dolcetto is a dark-skinned Italian grape variety primarily grown in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It produces medium-bodied red wines known for their approachable character and early drinkability, often serving as an excellent introduction to Italian reds.
Duras
France
Duras is a dark-skinned grape variety native to southwestern France, particularly the Gaillac region. It is traditionally used as a blending grape to add structure and color to regional wines, though it is increasingly vinified as a standalone variety.
Edelweiss
United States (Wisconsin / Minnesota)
Edelweiss is a cold-hardy white hybrid bred by Elmer Swenson and released in 1978, a cross of Minnesota 78 and Ontario. Originally selected as a table grape, it became a mainstay of northern winemaking in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska, where its extreme winter hardiness matters more than pedigree.
Erbaluce
Italy
Erbaluce is a white grape variety native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy, particularly around the Caluso area. It is known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines and is also used to make passito-style dessert wines.
Falanghina
Italy
Falanghina is an ancient white grape variety native to the Campania region of southern Italy. It has been cultivated for centuries and is believed to be the same grape known to the Romans as Falernian wine. Today it produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential.
Fer Servadou
France
Fer Servadou is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to southwestern France, particularly the Marcillac region. It is known for producing distinctive, mineral-driven wines with good aging potential and is sometimes called Braucol in other regions.
Fiano
Italy
Fiano is a white grape variety native to the Campania region of southern Italy, particularly around the Avellino area. It has been cultivated for centuries and is known for producing elegant, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential.
Folle Blanche
France
Folle Blanche is a white wine grape historically significant in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of southwestern France. Once widely planted for brandy production, it has become increasingly rare due to its susceptibility to phylloxera and mildew, though it remains valued for its distinctive aromatic qualities.
Frappato
Sicily, Italy
Frappato is a red wine grape native to Sicily, Italy, known for producing light to medium-bodied wines with bright acidity. It is often blended with other Sicilian varieties but is increasingly vinified as a standalone wine.
Freisa
Piedmont, Italy
Freisa is a red wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Known for producing light to medium-bodied wines with distinctive characteristics, it has been cultivated in this region for centuries and remains an important part of Piedmont's winemaking heritage.
Friulano
Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia region)
Friulano is a white wine grape native to northeastern Italy, particularly the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Known for producing crisp, elegant dry white wines with excellent acidity and mineral character. The grape was formerly called Tocai Friulano but was renamed in 2007 to avoid confusion with Hungarian Tokaji.
Gamay
France
Gamay is a light-bodied red wine grape primarily associated with the Beaujolais region of France. Known for producing fresh, fruity wines with low tannins and bright acidity, it is often enjoyed young and is the signature grape of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Garganega
Italy
Garganega is a white grape variety native to northeastern Italy, particularly the Veneto region. It is the primary grape used in the production of Soave, one of Italy's most celebrated white wines. Known for its versatility, Garganega can produce wines ranging from light and crisp to more complex and age-worthy expressions. In Sicily the same variety is known as Grecanico Dorato, where it is grown as a minor blending grape across the island.
Garnacha
Spain
Garnacha is a dark-skinned grape variety widely cultivated across Spain and the Mediterranean region. Known for producing wines with moderate to high alcohol content and lower acidity, it thrives in warm, dry climates and is often used as a blending grape or for single-varietal wines.
Gewürztraminer
Alsace, France
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic white wine grape known for its distinctive spicy character and floral notes. It produces full-bodied wines with low acidity and naturally high alcohol content. The variety is particularly celebrated in Alsace, Germany, and other cool-climate regions.
Glera
Italy
Glera is a white grape variety native to northeastern Italy, primarily grown in the Veneto region. It is the principal grape used in the production of Prosecco, one of the world's most popular sparkling wines.
Godello
Spain (Galicia)
Godello is a white grape variety native to the Galician region of northwestern Spain. It has been cultivated for centuries and is the primary grape of the Valdeorras denomination of origin. The variety produces elegant, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential.
Graciano
Spain
Graciano is a dark-skinned Spanish grape variety primarily grown in the Rioja region. It is traditionally used as a blending grape to add structure, color, and complexity to Rioja wines, though it is increasingly vinified as a standalone varietal.
Greco
Southern Italy
Greco is an ancient white grape variety native to Southern Italy, particularly the Campania region. It produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential and is considered one of Italy's most prestigious indigenous white varieties.
Grenache
Spain
Grenache is a dark-skinned grape variety widely cultivated across the Mediterranean region, particularly in Spain where it originated. Known for producing wines with moderate to high alcohol content and soft tannins, it has become a cornerstone of many Old World and New World wine regions.
Grenache Blanc
Spain
Grenache Blanc is a white wine grape variety that is the lighter-skinned mutation of the red Grenache grape. It is primarily grown in Spain and southern France, where it produces dry, aromatic white wines with good acidity and minerality.
Grenache Gris
France (Rhône Valley)
Grenache Gris is a pink-skinned mutation of Grenache Noir that produces dry, aromatic white wines. It is primarily cultivated in southern France and is known for its delicate character and refreshing qualities.
Grignolino
Italy
Grignolino is a light-bodied red wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It produces pale, delicate wines with distinctive characteristics and is primarily used in the Grignolino d'Asti and Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese denominations.
Grillo
Sicily, Italy
Grillo is a white wine grape native to Sicily that has become one of the island's most important varieties. It is the primary grape used in Marsala wine production and is increasingly recognized for producing fresh, aromatic dry white wines.
Gringet
Savoie, France
Gringet is a rare white grape variety native to the Savoie region in the French Alps. It is primarily used to produce dry white wines with distinctive mineral and herbal characteristics. This ancient variety is experiencing a revival among producers seeking to preserve traditional Alpine winemaking.
Grüner Veltliner
Austria
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's signature white wine grape and one of the world's most important green wine varieties. It produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines with distinctive herbaceous character and excellent food-pairing versatility.
Inzolia
Sicily, Italy
Inzolia is a white grape variety native to Sicily that produces crisp, aromatic white wines. Known for its ability to thrive in warm Mediterranean climates, it is often blended with other Sicilian varieties or vinified as a standalone wine.
Jacquère
France (Savoie region)
Jacquère is a white wine grape native to the Savoie region of the French Alps. It is the primary grape variety used in Apremont and Abymes wines, producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines that reflect their alpine terroir.
Lagrein
Italy
Lagrein is a dark-skinned red grape variety native to the Alto Adige region in northern Italy. It produces full-bodied wines with distinctive character and has been cultivated in the Tyrol region for centuries.
Len de l'El
France (Gaillac, Southwest France)
Len de l'El is a white grape found virtually only in the Gaillac AOC of southwest France, where regulations require white blends to include at least 15% of either Len de l'El or Sauvignon Blanc. The name comes from Occitan for "far from the eye," describing the unusually long stalks that hold its clusters away from the fruiting cane.
Loureiro
Portugal
Loureiro is a white grape variety native to northwestern Portugal, particularly the Minho region. It is a key component in Vinho Verde production and is known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with natural acidity.
Macabeo
Spain
Macabeo is a white grape variety widely cultivated in northeastern Spain, particularly in Catalonia and Aragon. It is a key component in Cava production and is also used in still white wines. The variety is known for its versatility and ability to produce fresh, crisp wines.
Malagousia
Greece
Malagousia is a white grape nearly lost to Greek viticulture until Professor Vassilis Logothetis rediscovered it in Nafpaktia in the 1970s and passed it to his student Vangelis Gerovassiliou, who developed it at Porto Carras and later at his own estate in Epanomi. It is now grown chiefly in Macedonia in northern Greece and produces aromatic, full-textured whites.
Malbec
France (Cahors, Southwest France) — grown primarily in Argentina
Malbec, known as Côt in its French homeland, is a dark-skinned variety native to Cahors in southwest France, where it must make up at least 70% of the appellation's wines. It is also long established in the Loire Valley, particularly Touraine. Transplanted to Argentina in the nineteenth century, it found its ideal terroir in Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards and has become the country's signature varietal.
Malvasia
Mediterranean (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece)
Malvasia is an ancient white grape variety with a long history across Mediterranean wine regions. Known for producing aromatic, often sweet wines, it has numerous clones and expressions ranging from dry to fortified styles. The grape thrives in warm climates and is valued for its distinctive character and versatility.
Manseng
France (Southwest France, Pyrenees region)
Manseng is a white grape variety native to Southwest France, particularly the Pyrenees region. It exists in two main forms: Gros Manseng (larger berries) and Petit Manseng (smaller berries). The variety is known for producing distinctive, aromatic white wines with good acidity and aging potential.
Marsanne
France (Rhône Valley)
Marsanne is a white grape variety primarily grown in the Rhône Valley of France. It is known for producing full-bodied, aromatic white wines with good aging potential and is often blended with Roussanne to create complex, structured wines.
Mauzac
France
Mauzac is a white grape variety native to southwestern France, particularly the Gaillac region. It is known for producing crisp, aromatic white wines and is also used in sparkling wine production. The grape has been cultivated for centuries in its native region.
Mavrodaphne
Greece
Mavrodaphne is a dark-skinned Greek grape variety primarily grown in the Peloponnese region, particularly around Patras. It is traditionally used to produce rich, fortified wines with significant aging potential and is also increasingly used in dry red wine production.
Melon de Bourgogne
Loire Valley, France
Melon de Bourgogne is a white grape variety primarily grown in the Loire Valley region of France, most famously in the Muscadet appellation. It is the sole permitted grape for producing Muscadet wines and is known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent food-pairing versatility.
Mencía
Spain
Mencía is a dark-skinned red grape variety native to northwestern Spain, particularly prominent in the Bierzo region of Castile and León. It has gained international recognition for producing elegant, age-worthy wines with distinctive character and complexity.
Merlot
France (Bordeaux)
Merlot is a dark-skinned grape variety widely cultivated across the world's wine regions. Known for producing soft, approachable wines with moderate tannins, it serves as both a standalone varietal and a key blending component in Bordeaux wines.
Molette
France (Savoie region)
Molette is a white grape variety native to the Savoie region of the French Alps. It is primarily used in the production of dry white wines and is a key component in several regional appellations. The grape is known for its crisp, mineral character and moderate acidity.
Molinara
Italy
Molinara is a red wine grape native to the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. It is primarily used as a blending grape in the production of Valpolicella wines, where it contributes structure and complexity to the final blend.
Mondeuse
Savoie, France
Mondeuse is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to the Savoie region of the French Alps. It produces medium-bodied wines with distinctive herbal and peppery characteristics. The variety has been cultivated in the Alpine foothills for centuries and remains a cornerstone of Savoyard winemaking.
Montepulciano
Italy (Abruzzo)
Montepulciano is a dark-skinned grape of central and southern Italy, most heavily planted in Abruzzo and also important in the Marche, Molise, and Puglia. It is the basis of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Colline Teramane DOCG, and a major component of Rosso Conero. Despite the shared name, it is unrelated to the Tuscan town of Montepulciano and plays no part in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made from Sangiovese.
Moschofilero
Greece
Moschofilero is a white grape variety native to the Peloponnese region of Greece, particularly renowned in the Mantinia area. It produces aromatic, crisp white wines with distinctive floral and fruity characteristics that reflect its mountainous terroir.
Mourvèdre
Spain (Murcia region)
Mourvèdre is a dark-skinned grape variety that produces full-bodied, age-worthy red wines with complex character. Known for its thick skins and small berries, it thrives in warm climates and is a key component in many Mediterranean wine blends, particularly in southern France and Spain.
Muscadelle
France
Muscadelle is a white grape variety primarily grown in Bordeaux, France, where it plays a supporting role in sweet wine blends. Known for its aromatic qualities, it contributes complexity and floral notes to dessert wines, particularly in Sauternes and Barsac.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Greece (probable); widely planted across France, Italy, Spain, and Australia
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is the oldest and most highly regarded member of the Muscat family, probably of Greek origin and cultivated around the Mediterranean since antiquity. Its small berries give the most refined expression of Muscat's grapey aroma. It is the grape of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and other French vins doux naturels, of Asti and Moscato d'Asti in Piedmont (as Moscato Bianco), and of Rutherglen Muscat in Australia. Distinct from the larger-berried, coarser Muscat of Alexandria.
Muscat of Alexandria
North Africa (Egypt/Tunisia); widely cultivated in Mediterranean countries
Muscat of Alexandria is one of the oldest cultivated grape varieties, thought to originate in North Africa and spread throughout the Mediterranean by the Romans. It is a large-berried, powerfully aromatic member of the Muscat family grown chiefly for raisins, table grapes, and fortified or sweet wines across Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and Australia. In Sicily it is known as Zibibbo, the grape of Passito di Pantelleria and Moscato di Pantelleria, where old bush vines grown in wind-sheltered hollows produce intensely sweet, apricot-scented wines.
Müller-Thurgau
Germany
Müller-Thurgau is a white wine grape created in 1882 by Hermann Müller from the Swiss canton of Thurgau. It was developed as a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale to produce a more reliable, earlier-ripening alternative to Riesling. The variety became widely planted across Germany and Central Europe.
Nebbiolo
Italy
Nebbiolo is a prestigious red wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is the primary grape used in the renowned wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, known for producing complex, age-worthy wines with significant structure and elegance.
Nerello Cappuccio
Sicily, Italy
Nerello Cappuccio is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to Sicily, Italy. It is primarily grown on the slopes of Mount Etna and is often blended with Nerello Mascalese to produce complex, mineral-driven red wines. This ancient variety is gaining recognition for its quality potential in volcanic terroirs.
Nerello Mascalese
Sicily, Italy
Nerello Mascalese is a red wine grape native to Sicily, primarily grown on the slopes of Mount Etna. It has gained international recognition for producing elegant, complex wines with excellent aging potential and distinctive mineral characteristics.
Nero d'Avola
Sicily, Italy
Nero d'Avola is a dark-skinned red grape native to Sicily that has become one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. Known for producing full-bodied, deeply colored wines with rich character, it has gained international recognition in recent decades.
Nocera
Italy (Sicily — Messina)
Nocera is a dark-skinned Sicilian grape grown in the northeastern corner of the island, in the province of Messina. It is a required component of Faro DOC and Mamertino di Milazzo DOC, where it is blended with Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, and it has drawn renewed attention as those appellations have been revived.
Norton
United States
Norton is a dark-skinned hybrid grape variety native to the eastern United States, known for its disease resistance and ability to thrive in challenging climates. It produces full-bodied red wines with distinctive character and has become increasingly important in American viticulture, particularly in the Midwest and South.
Négrette
France (Southwest France, particularly Toulouse region)
Négrette is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Southwest France, primarily grown in the Côtes du Frontonnais region near Toulouse. It is a traditional varietal that produces distinctive wines with unique aromatic characteristics and is often blended with other grapes to add complexity and structure.
Ondenc
France
Ondenc is a rare white grape variety from southwestern France, historically used in the production of Gaillac wines. This ancient variety is known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with good acidity and aging potential.
Pelaverga
Italy
Pelaverga is a rare red wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is primarily cultivated in the province of Cuneo and is known for producing light, delicate wines with distinctive aromatic qualities.
Perricone
Sicily, Italy
Perricone is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to Sicily, Italy. It is primarily used in blended wines and is known for producing wines with good structure and aging potential. The variety has been cultivated in Sicily for centuries and remains an important part of the region's winemaking heritage.
Persan
France (Savoie)
Persan is a dark-skinned grape native to the Savoie region of the French Alps, where it is a permitted variety in Vin de Savoie AOC. Once widespread in the Maurienne and Isère valleys, it nearly vanished in the twentieth century and is now the subject of a small revival. It also appears in Italy's Piedmont as Bécuet, notably in the Ramìe wines of Pinerolo.
Petit Verdot
France (Bordeaux)
Petit Verdot is a dark-skinned grape variety traditionally used as a blending component in Bordeaux wines. Known for its small berries and thick skins, it contributes structure and aging potential to wine blends. The variety has gained recognition as a standalone wine in regions like Argentina and Australia.
Petite Sirah
France (bred); primarily grown in California
Petite Sirah, correctly Durif, is a dark-skinned variety bred in the 1860s by French botanist François Durif as a cross of Peloursin and Syrah. Never widely adopted in France, it found its home in California, where it produces deeply colored, full-bodied reds and has become a signature regional style.
Picpoul Blanc
France (Languedoc region)
Picpoul Blanc is a white wine grape native to southern France, particularly the Languedoc region. Known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent acidity, it has become increasingly popular for coastal and seafood-friendly wines.
Piedirosso
Italy
Piedirosso is a red wine grape native to the Campania region of southern Italy, particularly around Naples and Mount Vesuvius. It has been cultivated for centuries and is a key component of several traditional Campanian wines. The name means "red foot," referring to the reddish stems of the grape bunches.
Pinot Blanc
France (Alsace)
Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape that is a genetic mutation of Pinot Gris. It is primarily cultivated in Alsace, France, and other cool-climate regions, producing crisp, dry white wines with good acidity and minerality.
Pinot Gris
France (Alsace)
Pinot Gris is a white wine grape that is a mutation of Pinot Noir, known for producing dry to off-dry wines with moderate alcohol content. It is widely cultivated across Europe and North America, with particularly renowned expressions from Alsace, Italy, and Oregon. In Italy the same grape is called Pinot Grigio, where it is made in a leaner, crisper style — particularly in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige — that differs markedly from the full-bodied, often off-dry Alsatian interpretation.
Pinot Meunier
France
Pinot Meunier is a dark-skinned grape variety primarily used in Champagne production. It is a mutation of Pinot Noir and is valued for its early ripening and ability to thrive in cooler climates. The grape contributes fruitiness and softness to sparkling wines.
Pinot Noir
France (Burgundy)
Pinot Noir is a premium red wine grape renowned for producing elegant, complex wines with silky tannins. It thrives in cool climates and is the primary grape of Burgundy, though it has become increasingly successful in other regions worldwide.
Pinotage
South Africa
Pinotage is a red wine grape variety created in South Africa in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It has become the signature grape of South African winemaking and is now grown in several other countries. The variety produces distinctive wines with bold character and complexity.
Plavac Mali
Croatia
Plavac Mali is a Croatian red grape variety native to the Dalmatian coast, a natural crossing of Crljenak Kaštelanski (the Croatian name for Tribidrag, the variety known internationally as Zinfandel) and Dobričić. This parentage makes Plavac Mali genetically the offspring of Zinfandel rather than its ancestor, a relationship confirmed by DNA testing. It is the basis of Dingač and Postup, two of Croatia's most prized reds, grown on steep south-facing slopes of the Pelješac peninsula.
Poulsard (Ploussard)
Jura, France
Poulsard, also known as Ploussard, is a rare red wine grape native to the Jura region of eastern France. It is one of the three main varieties used in Jura wines and is prized for producing distinctive, delicate red wines with low tannins and pale color.
Primitivo
Italy
Primitivo is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to southern Italy, particularly the Puglia region. It is genetically identical to Zinfandel and produces full-bodied wines with rich, concentrated flavors. The grape thrives in warm climates and has become increasingly popular in modern winemaking.
Refosco
Italy
Refosco is a dark-skinned red grape variety primarily grown in northeastern Italy, particularly in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It produces full-bodied red wines with distinctive character and has been cultivated in the area for centuries.
Ribolla Gialla
Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Ribolla Gialla is a white wine grape native to northeastern Italy, particularly the Friuli region. It has been cultivated for centuries and is known for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential. The grape is increasingly recognized internationally for its quality and distinctive character.
Riesling
Germany
Riesling is a white wine grape renowned for its aromatic qualities and versatility across a wide range of styles. Originally from Germany's Rhine Valley, it has become one of the world's most important white wine varieties, capable of producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines.
Rkatsiteli
Georgia
Rkatsiteli is an ancient white grape variety native to Georgia, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is one of Georgia's most important indigenous grapes and is also grown in other Eastern European regions. The name means "red stalk" in Georgian, referring to the reddish shoots of the vine.
Rondinella
Italy
Rondinella is a red wine grape primarily grown in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. It is a key component of Valpolicella and Amarone wines, known for its ability to produce elegant, medium-bodied red wines with good aging potential.
Roussanne
France (Rhône Valley)
Roussanne is a white grape variety native to the Rhône Valley in southeastern France. It is traditionally used in white Rhône blends and is known for producing complex, aromatic wines with good aging potential. The variety has gained recognition as a standalone varietal in both France and other wine regions.
Ruché
Italy
Ruché is a rare red wine grape native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy, particularly associated with the Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG. It produces distinctive, aromatic wines with a unique character that sets it apart from other Piedmont varieties.
Sagrantino
Italy
Sagrantino is a dark-skinned red grape variety native to Umbria in central Italy, particularly renowned in the Montefalco region. It produces full-bodied, tannic wines with excellent aging potential and is considered one of Italy's finest indigenous red varieties.
Saint Laurent
Austria
Saint Laurent is a dark-skinned red wine grape that is a natural cross between Pinot Noir and an unknown variety. It is primarily cultivated in Austria and the Czech Republic, where it produces elegant, medium-bodied red wines with distinctive characteristics.
Sangiovese
Italy
Sangiovese is Italy's most important red wine grape, primarily grown in Tuscany. It is the principal grape in Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, producing wines with distinctive character and aging potential.
Sauvignon Blanc
France (Loire Valley)
Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, aromatic white wine grape known for its vibrant acidity and distinctive herbaceous character. It is one of the world's most popular white wine varieties, cultivated in cool to moderate climates across the globe. The grape produces wines that range from light and zesty to complex and mineral-driven depending on terroir and winemaking style.
Sauvignon Gris
France
Sauvignon Gris is a pink-skinned mutation of Sauvignon Blanc that produces dry white wines with distinctive aromatic character. This rare variety is primarily cultivated in the Loire Valley and offers a unique alternative to its more famous parent varietal.
Savagnin
France (Jura region)
Savagnin is a white grape variety native to the Jura region of eastern France, known for producing distinctive dry white wines with complex aging potential. It is the primary grape used in the production of Vin Jaune, one of France's most unique and long-lived wines.
Scheurebe
Germany
Scheurebe is a white wine grape created in Germany in 1916 through a cross between Riesling and Bukettraube. It is primarily grown in German wine regions, particularly in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen, and produces distinctive aromatic white wines.
Sciascinoso
Italy (Campania)
Sciascinoso is a red grape native to Campania in southern Italy, where it is also known as Olivella. It is a traditional blending partner for Piedirosso and Aglianico and contributes to red Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio. Plantings have declined sharply, and it is now something of a rarity.
Seyval Blanc
France (hybrid developed in France)
Seyval Blanc is a white hybrid grape variety created by crossing Seibel 5656 and Rayon d'Or. It was developed in France and is now widely cultivated in cool-climate regions, particularly in the northeastern United States and England, where it produces crisp, food-friendly white wines.
Silvaner
Germany
Silvaner is a white wine grape variety that originated in Germany and is widely cultivated throughout Central Europe. It produces crisp, dry white wines with excellent acidity and mineral characteristics, making it a staple of German viticulture.
Syrah
France (Rhône Valley)
Syrah is a dark-skinned grape variety that produces full-bodied red wines known for their complexity and aging potential. Originally from the Rhône Valley in France, it has become one of the world's most important wine grapes, cultivated extensively in Australia, South Africa, and California.
Sémillon
France (Bordeaux region)
Sémillon is a white grape variety renowned for producing both dry and sweet wines. It is particularly celebrated for its role in Sauternes and other Bordeaux white blends, where it develops complex, honeyed characteristics when affected by noble rot.
Tannat
Uruguay
Tannat is a dark-skinned grape variety that originated in southwestern France but has become the signature grape of Uruguay. It produces full-bodied, deeply colored wines known for their robust tannin structure and aging potential.
Tempranillo
Spain
Tempranillo is Spain's most prestigious red wine grape, widely planted across the country and increasingly popular in other wine regions worldwide. Known for producing wines with excellent aging potential and complex flavor development, it is the primary grape in Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines.
Terrano
Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Terrano is a dark-skinned red grape variety native to northeastern Italy, particularly the Carso region. It produces full-bodied wines with distinctive mineral characteristics and is known for its ability to thrive in limestone-rich soils.
Terret
France
Terret is a white grape variety native to southern France, particularly the Languedoc region. It has been cultivated for centuries and was historically used in vermouth production. Today it remains an important component in various French white wine blends.
Tibouren
France (Provence)
Tibouren is a rare red wine grape native to Provence, France, primarily used in rosé production. It is known for producing elegant, dry wines with distinctive aromatic qualities and is a permitted variety in Provence AOC wines.
Tinta Barroca
Portugal
Tinta Barroca is a dark-skinned Portuguese grape variety primarily used in Port wine production. Known for its deep color and rich flavor compounds, it contributes significantly to the structure and complexity of fortified wines.
Torrontés
Argentina
Torrontés is a white grape variety native to Argentina, particularly renowned in the Salta region. It produces aromatic, crisp white wines with distinctive floral and fruity characteristics that have gained international recognition in recent decades.
Touriga Franca
Portugal
Touriga Franca is a premium red wine grape native to Portugal's Douro Valley. It is widely used in Port wine production and increasingly valued for dry red wines. The variety is known for its small berries and thick skins, which contribute to concentrated flavors and deep color.
Touriga Nacional
Portugal
Touriga Nacional is a premium red grape variety native to Portugal's Douro Valley. It is considered one of Portugal's finest indigenous grapes and is widely used in Port wine production and high-quality dry red wines. The variety is known for producing deeply colored, complex wines with excellent aging potential.
Traminette
United States
Traminette is a hybrid grape variety developed at Cornell University, created by crossing Gewürztraminer with Joannes Seyve 23.416. It was bred to combine the aromatic qualities of Gewürztraminer with improved cold hardiness and disease resistance for cultivation in cool climates.
Trebbiano
Italy
Trebbiano is one of Italy's most widely planted white grape varieties, known for producing crisp, light-bodied white wines. It is a versatile grape used in numerous Italian wine regions and is also cultivated internationally under various synonyms.
Trousseau
Jura, France
Trousseau is a dark-skinned red wine grape native to the Jura region of eastern France. It is a traditional variety used in Jura wines, often blended with Pinot Noir and Poulsard. The grape produces distinctive wines with unique characteristics suited to the region's terroir.
Valdiguié
France
Valdiguié is a light-bodied red wine grape from southwestern France, historically used as a blending variety. It gained prominence in California during the 1970s and 1980s when it was marketed as Gamay Beaujolais, though it is genetically distinct from true Gamay.
Verdejo
Spain
Verdejo is a white grape variety native to the Rueda region of Spain. It has become the signature grape of Rueda, producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines with excellent aging potential. The variety is known for its distinctive character and quality expression in its home region.
Verdelho
Portugal
Verdelho is a white grape variety originating from Portugal, particularly associated with the Madeira wine region. It produces dry to off-dry wines with good acidity and is also cultivated in Australia and other warm climates.
Verdicchio
Italy
Verdicchio is a white grape variety native to central Italy, particularly the Marche region. It produces crisp, mineral-driven white wines known for their freshness and aging potential. The grape has been cultivated in Italy for centuries and is considered one of the country's finest white wine producers.
Verduzzo
Italy
Verduzzo is a white grape variety primarily grown in northeastern Italy, particularly in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It is known for producing both dry and sweet wines, with the sweet versions being particularly prized.
Vermentino
Italy
Vermentino is a white wine grape primarily grown in Sardinia and other Mediterranean regions of Italy. It produces crisp, refreshing white wines known for their bright acidity and mineral character, making it a staple of Italian coastal wine regions. In Piedmont the same grape appears as Favorita, where it produces light, dry whites in the Langhe and Roero.
Vidal Blanc
Canada
Vidal Blanc is a white hybrid grape variety developed in France and widely cultivated in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. It is known for its cold-hardiness and ability to produce high-quality wines in cool climates, making it especially valuable for icewine production.
Vignoles
France (bred); primarily grown in the United States
Vignoles, originally designated Ravat 51, is a white hybrid attributed to French breeder J.F. Ravat, who claimed a 1930 cross of Seibel 6905 and Pinot Noir. Genetic testing has since found no markers shared with either parent, so its true parentage is unknown. Named Vignoles by the Finger Lakes Wine Growers Association in 1970, it is now grown almost entirely in North America — New York's Finger Lakes and the Midwest.
Viognier
France (Rhône Valley)
Viognier is a white wine grape variety from the Rhône Valley in France, known for producing aromatic, full-bodied white wines. It was nearly extinct in the mid-20th century but has experienced a significant revival due to its distinctive character and quality potential.
Vitovska
Slovenia and Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Vitovska is a white grape variety native to the Karst region of northeastern Italy and Slovenia. It is a traditional local variety that produces distinctive mineral-driven white wines with high acidity and complexity. The grape thrives in the limestone-rich soils of its native region.
Welschriesling
Austria
Welschriesling is a white wine grape widely cultivated in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Austria and Hungary. It is an unrelated variety to German Riesling despite its similar name, and produces crisp, aromatic white wines with good acidity.
Xinomavro
Greece
Xinomavro is a dark-skinned Greek grape variety primarily grown in northern Greece, particularly in the Naoussa region. It is known for producing high-quality, age-worthy red wines with distinctive character and complexity.
Zinfandel
Croatia (grown primarily in California)
Zinfandel is a dark-skinned variety identified by DNA analysis as the Croatian grape Tribidrag (Crljenak Kaštelanski) and genetically identical to southern Italy's Primitivo. It arrived in the United States in the nineteenth century and became emblematic of California winemaking, with its best-known plantings — many of them old-vine — in Lodi, Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley, Amador County, and Paso Robles.
Zweigelt
Austria
Zweigelt is Austria's most widely planted red wine grape, created in 1922 by crossing Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It has become the flagship red variety of Austrian winemaking, known for producing approachable, fruit-forward wines with good structure.