All Important Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon
PRINCIPAL BLACK GRAPE VARIETIES
Grape Variety
Black grape variety with thick skins that contain high levels of colour, flavour
and tannin.
Climate
Moderate and warm climates, might struggle to ripen in moderate climates
depending on the weather in that vintage.
Main Characteristics of the Wine
Dry, high acidity, high tannin and medium or full in body.
Pronounced flavours of black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry) and, usually,
herbal (mint) or herbaceous notes (green bell pepper/capsicum).
In warm climates, these fruit flavours can become ripe and sometimes
cooked in character with little or no herbaceous notes.
Maturation and Blending
Oak maturation in barrel allows small amounts of oxygen into the wine which
helps to soften the tannins.
Single varietal wines and blended with Merlot or local varieties, depending
on where it is grown.
Important Regions
France: Bordeaux.
USA: California, Napa Valley (Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga), Sonoma.
Chile: Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley.
South Africa: Stellenbosch.
Australia: Coonawarra, Margaret River.
New Zealand: Hawke’s Bay.
Cabernet Sauvignon Regions

Merlot
Grape Variety
Black grape variety.
Climate
Moderate and warm climates.
Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins and light or medium or full bodied.
Just-ripe grapes have medium flavours of red-fruit (strawberry, red plum) and
herbaceous notes (green bell pepper/capsicum).
In warmer climates, riper grape have medium or pronounced flavours of
cooked black-fruit flavours (blackberry, black plum). These flavour can be
achieved in a moderate climate, depending on the vintage.
Oak maturation in barrel allows small amounts of oxygen into the wine which
helps to soften the tannins. Unoaked wines produced.
Single varietal wines and blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Important Regions
France: Bordeaux.
USA: California, Napa Valley, Sonoma.
Chile: Central Valley.
South Africa: Stellenbosch.
Australia: Margaret River.
New Zealand: Hawke’s Bay.
Merlot Regions
Syrah/Shiraz
Grape Variety
Black grape variety with thick skins, known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in
Australia.
Climate
Moderate to warm climate.
Dry, medium or high levels of tannin and acidity with medium or full body.
Medium flavours of fresh black-fruit flavours (black cherry, blackberry),
herbal notes and black pepper when grapes are grown in a moderate
climate. Warmer climate grapes have pronounced flavours of ripe cooked
black fruits and liquorice.
Oak maturation in barrels to soften the tannins of the wine and add flavours
of smoke and spice.
Single varietal wines and blended with grapes local to the Southern Rhône,
Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia.
Important Regions
France: Northern Rhône, south of France.
Australia: South-eastern Australia, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley.
Syrah/Shiraz Regions
Pinot Noir
Grape Variety
Black grape variety with thin skins, prone to rot and disease.
Climate
Cool and moderate climates in order to produce high quality grapes, warm
climate Pinot Noir loses its varietal character.
Dry, high acidity, low or medium tannins and light or medium body.
Light or medium flavours of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) that
can range from fresh to cooked depending on the ripeness of the grapes.
Oak maturation in barrels, sometimes older oak to impart less flavours and
avoid overwhelming the delicate flavours of Pinot Noir.
Single varietal wines exception being in sparkling wine production, it is often
blended.
Important Regions
France: Burgundy.
USA: California (Sonoma, Carneros, Santa Barbara County), Oregon.
Chile: Casablanca Valley.
South Africa: Walker Bay.
Australia: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula.
New Zealand: Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago.
Pinot Noir Regions

Grenache/Garnacha
REGIONALLY IMPORTANT BLACK GRAPE VARIETIES
Grape Variety - Black grape variety with a thin skin.

Climate - Warm climate.
Dry with medium acidity, low or medium tannins, high alcohol (due to high
sugar content in the grapes) and medium or full bodied.
Red wines have flavours of red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) and
sometimes spice (white pepper, liquorice).
Rosé wines can be dry or up to medium in sweetness, with red fruit flavours.
Unoaked or matured in oak barrels to add complexity.
Often blended with other black varieties (Syrah, Tempranillo).
Important Regions
France: Southern Rhône, south of France.
Spain: Navarra, Catalunya.
Australia: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale.
Zinfandel/Primitivo
Grape Variety - Black grape variety known as Zinfandel in the USA
(California) and known as Primitivo in Italy (Puglia).
As it ripens, flavours change from red fruits to black fruits.
White Zinfandel: Rosé wine, medium-sweet, low acidity and typically low
alcohol with simple flavours of red fruits (strawberries and raspberries).
Red Zinfandel/Primitivo: dry, medium or high acidity and tannin with
pronounced flavours of black fruit (blackberry, black plum), dried fruit (raisin,
prune), and oak (vanilla, coffee) and full bodied.
Red Zinfandel/Primitivo is typically matured in oak to soften tannins and add
complexity.
Typically not blended.
Important Regions
USA: California (rosé and red Zinfandels are produced here).
Italy: Puglia.
Gamay
Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Climate - Moderate climate.
Dry, high acidity, low or medium tannins and light or medium body.
Flavours of red fruit (raspberry, red plum, red cherry). Wines from ‘cru’
appellations are the most concentrated and structured wines of the region
with more pronounced red fruit flavours.
Inert vessels, this wine is rarely aged in oak, or matured with oak
alternatives.
Important Regions
France: Beaujolais (to the south of Burgundy).
Tempranillo

Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins and medium or full bodied wines.
Flavours of red fruit (strawberry and cherry) and black fruit (blackberry, black
plum).
Extended in-bottle/oak maturation can develop complex tertiary flavours
(mushroom, leather and dried fruit).
Single varietal wines and blended with local varieties in Rioja.
Small new-oak barrels.
Important Regions
Spain: Catalunya, Rioja, Ribera del Duero.
Carmenère
Grape Variety - Black grape variety, French origin.

Dry with medium or high acidity, high tannins and full body.
When grapes are not fully ripe, pungent herbaceous flavours such as green
bell pepper and tomato leaf dominate.
When grapes are fully ripe, there are fresh black-fruit flavours (blackberry)
and herbal notes (eucalyptus).
Usually matured in oak barrels.
Single-varietal wine and blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Important Regions
Chile: Central Valley.
Malbec
Grape Variety - Black grape variety, French origin.

Dry, medium acidity, high tannin and full bodied.
Medium or pronounced flavours of black-fruit flavours (blackberry, black
plum).
Matured in new oak or unoaked and aged in bottle.
Single-varietal wine and blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot.
Important Regions
Argentina: Mendoza.
Pinotage
Grape Variety - Black grape variety from South Africa.

Climate - Warm climates.
Dry, high acidity, medium or high tannins and medium or full bodied.
Medium flavours of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry).
Riper examples can have pronounced flavours of concentrated red fruit and
black fruit flavours (blackberry, black plum).
Matured in new oak or unoaked and aged in the bottle.
Single-varietal wine and blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot,
often referred to as Cape Blends.
Important Regions
South Africa
Sangiovese

Dry with high tannins, high acidity and medium or full bodied.
Medium or pronounced flavours of red fruits (red cherries, red plums) and
dried herbs.
Often matured in oak to soften tannins and add complex flavours (cloves,
cedar).
Single-varietal wine and blended with small amounts of other black grapes.
Important Regions
Italy: Chianti in central Tuscany.
Montepulciano

Dry, medium acidity, high tannins and light or medium body with flavours of
black-fruit (black plum, black cherry).
Unoaked or matured in oak for a short time.
Important Regions
Italy: Abruzzo.
Nebbiolo

Dry with high acidity, high tannins and medium or full bodied.
Pronounced red fruit flavours (red cherry, red plum), notes of dried herbs and
can have floral characters (rose, violet).
Often matured in oak for extended periods (both old-oak barrels or new-oak
barrels are used).
Important Regions
Italy: Piemonte.
Barbera

Climate - Moderate climates.
Dry with high acidity, low or medium tannins and medium body.
Medium flavours of red fruit (red cherries, red plums) and sometimes black
pepper.
Unoaked and fruity or matured for a period of time in oak.
Important Regions
Italy: Piemonte.
Corvina

Dry, high acidity, low or medium tannins, light, medium or full bodied. Light,
medium or pronounced flavours of red-fruit flavours (red cherry, red plum)
and sometimes black pepper.
Unoaked or matured in large oak casks.
Appassimento method widely used in the Veneto region.
Single-varietal and blended wines.
Important Regions
Italy: Valpolicella (Veneto region).
France
Grenache
Gamay
Italy
USA Primitivo
Zinfandel
Spain Sangiovese
Montepulciano
Garnacha
Nebbiolo
Tempranillo
Barbera
Corvina
Argentina Australia
Chile Malbec Grenache
Carmenère South Africa
Pinotage
Chardonnay
PRINCIPAL WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES
Grape Variety
White grape variety.
Climate
Cool, moderate and warm climates.
Typical cool-climate: Dry, high acidity, light or medium body, light or medium
flavours of green fruits (apple, pear), citrus (lemon, lime) and wet stones.
Typical moderate-climate: Dry, medium or high acidity, medium or full body
and medium or pronounced flavours of lemon, stone fruits (peach) and
sometimes tropical fruit (melon).
Typical warm-climate: Dry, medium in acidity, full body with pronounced
flavours of stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple, banana).
Oak barrel fermentation/maturation can add body and flavours (smoke,
vanilla, coconut). Unoaked wines produced.
Single varietal wines and blended with local varieties.
Important Regions
France: Burgundy, south of France.
USA: California (Carneros, Sonoma, Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County)
and Oregon.
Australia: Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Margaret River.
New Zealand: Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay.
Chile: Casablanca Valley, Central Valley.
South Africa: Western Cape, Walker Bay.
Chardonnay Regions
Sauvignon Blanc
Grape Variety
Aromatic white grape variety.
Climate
Cool and moderate climates.
Dry, high acidity, light or medium body with pronounced herbaceous (grass,
green bell pepper/capsicum, asparagus) and floral (blossom) flavours.
Riper examples have tropical flavours (passion fruit).
Commonly matured in inert vessels to preserve the distinctive herbaceous
character. Blended wines tend to be oaked and some single varietal examples
from California.
Single-varietal wines and blended with Semillon.
Important Regions
France: Loire, Bordeaux, South of France.
New Zealand: Marlborough.
Australia: Margaret River, Adelaide Hills.
Chile: Casablanca Valley, Central Valley.
South Africa: Constantia, Elgin.
USA: Napa Valley.
Sauvignon Blanc Regions

Pinot Gris/ Pinot Grigio
Grape Variety
White grape variety.
Climate
Cool, moderate and warm climates.
Two very distinctive styles of wine:
High yields of grapes harvested early - dry, high acidity, light bodied and light, simple
flavours of apple and lemon.
Controlled yields of grapes and late harvest – off-dry to medium sweet, medium acidity, full
bodied with pronounced flavours of lemon, stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (mango,
banana).
Wines typically fermented in inert vessels to preserve its fruity flavours.
Typically not blended (single-varietal wines).
Important Regions
Italy: Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
France: Alsace.
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio Regions

Riesling
Grape Variety
Aromatic white grape variety.

Climate
Cool to moderate climates.
Dry to sweet and from light to full bodied, high acidity, light to pronounced
fruity and floral aromas.
Just-ripe grapes have flavours of green fruit (apple, pear) and citrus (lemon,
lime).
Extra-ripe grapes have flavours of stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical fruit
(mango, pineapple), and sometimes even dried fruit (dried apricots and
raisins).
Rieslings from Australia can have pronounced flavours of lime, peach and
petrol.
Typically matured in inert vessels (stainless-steel) to preserve its floral
aromas.
Single varietal, rarely blended.
Important Regions
Germany: Mosel, Rheingau and Pfalz.
France: Alsace.
Australia: Eden Valley, Clare Valley.
Riesling Regions
REGIONALLY IMPORTANT WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES
Chenin Blanc
Grape Variety - White grape variety, susceptible to botrytis.
Climate - Cool, moderate and warm climates.
Depending on the ripeness, Chenin Blanc wines can range from green-fruit
(apple) and citrus (lemon) to stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple,
mango).
Different styles from dry to sweet.
Oaked and unoaked styles.
Single-varietal and blended with other local grape varieties.
Important Regions
France: Vouvray.
South Africa
Sémillon/Semillon
Grape Variety - White grape variety.
Climate - Moderate and warm climates.
Simple primary flavours of apple, lemon and grass.
Depending on ripeness, these wines can range from medium to high in
acidity, and light to full in body.
Some examples can age very well, developing complex tertiary notes of
dried fruit, nuts and honey in the bottle.
Important Regions
France: Bordeaux, Sauternes.
Australia: Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley.
Viognier
Grape Variety - Aromatic white grape variety.
Dry wine with low or medium acidity, high alcohol, medium or full body with
pronounced floral flavours (blossom) and stone-fruit flavours (peach, apricot).
Wines typically fermented in inert vessels but some oak-matured Viogniers
are made.
Single-varietal wines and blended.
Important Regions
France: Condrieu.
Albariño
Climate - Cool climates.
Dry wine with high acidity, medium-bodied with flavours of citrus fruit (lemon,
grapefruit) and stone fruit (peach apricot).
Wines typically unoaked.
A small amount of lees contact can be used to add body and complexity.
Important Regions
Spain: Rias Baixas.
Furmint
Dry and medium wines.
Sweet wines made from grapes that have been affected by botrytis (Tokaji
Aszú). These wines are amber in colour with aromas of dried stone fruits
(apricots), citrus fruits, oak-derived aromas (vanilla, smoke), and aromas of
deliberate oxidation (caramel).
Can be matured in oak. Tokaji Aszú wines traditionally spend a significant
amount of time ageing in oak.
Single-varietal and blended with other local grape varieties.
Important Regions
Hungary: Tokaj
Gewurztraminer
Grape Variety - Aromatic white grape variety.
Climate - Cool and moderate climates.
Dry and off-dry, low to medium acidity, full bodied with pronounced floral
aromas (rose), flavours of stone-fruit (peach, apricot) and tropical fruit
(lychee).
Wines typically unoaked to preserve its floral aromas.
Important Regions
France: Alsace.
Cortese
Dry, high acidity with light bodied and light floral flavours (blossom) and
flavours of green fruit (apple. pear) and citrus (lemon).
Wine typically fermented in inert vessels and not matured in oak.
Important Regions
Italy: Piemonte.
Garganega
Dry, high acidity, medium-bodied with light or medium flavours of green fruit
(apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon) and stone fruit (peach).
Important Regions
Italy: Veneto.
Verdicchio
Dry, high acidity, medium body and light or medium flavours of green fruit
(apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon), and herbal notes (fennel).
Important Regions
Italy: Central Italy.
Fiano

Dry, medium acidity, medium or full body and flavours of stone fruit (peach) and
tropical fruit (melon, mango).
Can be matured in oak.
Important Regions
Italy: Campania

All Important Wines

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Cabernet Sauvignon

PRINCIPAL BLACK GRAPE VARIETIES

Cabernet Sauvignon Regions

Pinot Noir Regions

Grape Variety - Black grape variety with a thin skin.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety, French origin.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety, French origin.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety from South Africa.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Grape Variety - Black grape variety.

Sauvignon Blanc Regions

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio Regions

Aromatic white grape variety.

Grape Variety - White grape variety.

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