Cabernet Sauvignon
With its hearty flavors and deep dark color, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Cabernet, is the top dog of the red wine category. Naturally occurring high levels of
tannins give Cabernet its well-developed, full-bodied flavor for which it is so prized. It’s also desirable because of its ability to age well. Those new to drinking wine are often intimidated by a Cabernet and think of it as a “strong” wine. Somewhere along the line they only got part of the story on this full-bodied, intense wine. Truth be told, Cabernets can be mellow and mild or hearty and rich. If you like the bite of black currant berries or choke cherries and the rich flavor of blackberries, you’ll like Cabernet. Because Cabernet is traditionally aged in oak barrels, you might also taste oak and vanilla flavors that come from the barrels.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most popular wines in the U.S. The flavors of this popular white wine can range from clean and crisp examples to rich and complex examples with pronounced oak flavor. Chardonnay is typically classified as a dry white wine, but it can sometimes taste semi-sweet or even sour. If you like the tropical citrus flavors, the slight char of buttered toast, you’ll get along well with Chardonnay. Any oak you’ll taste comes from fermenting in oak barrels.
Gewürztraminer
One look at the name Gewürztraminer and one can guess that the nationality of this white grape is German. Gewürztraminer produces a distinctive wine rich in spicy aromas and full flavors, ranging from dry to sweet. In fact the name means Spice Grapes. Its qualities are very similar to Riesling. If you like nutty flavors or floral herbal teas (think rose hips) as well as pepper, you should find Gewürztraminer enjoyable to drink if not difficult to pronounce.
Sauvignon Blanc
If “been there, done that” comes to mind when you’re faced with another glass of Chardonnay, try Sauvignon Blanc. While some examples of Sauvignon Blanc tend toward the sweet, it is primarily a dry, crisp light white wine like Chardonnay. In fact some wineries have started aging it in oak barrels like Chardonnay. If you like citrus fruits and green tea, you should chill a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and try a glass.
Riesling
Like its close relation, Gewürztraminer, Riesling is a white wine known for its distinctive floral qualities. Rieslings can also range from crisp and dry to full-bodied and spicy to luscious and sweet. Most examples are primarily dry with a touch of sweetness. Since sugar helps cut the heat, Rieslings are a good choice for spicy foods. If you enjoy the sweetness of honey and melon, the tartness of grapefruit and the floral quality of some herbal teas, Riesling should be on your table.
Merlot
In the 1990s, Merlot burst onto the red wine scene and started taking over wine lists with a vengeance. Originally used as a main component in red wine blends, Merlot’s smooth, balanced and less harsh qualities made it a popular alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon. Because it has fewer
tannins, Merlot is best enjoyed right away, rather than aged. Those who enjoy flavors like honey, mint, plum, black cherry and orange will find Merlot a very satisfying wine.
Pinot Grigio
Perhaps you know of the Pinots? There is Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Think of Pinot Noir as the father. Pinot Blanc is a child from his first marriage and Pinot Grigio is a child from his second marriage. Pinot Grigio is also known by its nickname, Pinot Gris. Unlike its parent, Pinot Grigio is a white grape whose low acidity produces a rich wine with a light perfume-like quality to it. When you take a sip, Pinot Grigio feels dry and light on your tongue. You may also detect a tinge of minerals. After you swallow, you might taste a lemony flavor. If you like the flavor of peaches, grapefruit and melon you should become good friends with Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a bit of a chameleon. It’s a red grape but is often used as a white component in Champagne and fathered two white grapes varietals: Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Pinot Noir is a great example of a delicate red wine possessing the smooth characteristics of a white and the richness of a red. Pinot Noir ranges in color from cherry red to purplish red to brown as it ages. If you’re a gardener who loves the smell of earth or if you like the smell of leather, you’ll be pleased with the aroma of a Pinot Noir. But how does it taste, you ask? Typical Pinot Noir flavors include vanilla, oak and jams like raspberry, strawberry and plum.
Shiraz/Syrah
Syrah is also known as Shiraz, particularly in Australia. Those Aussies have a different word for everything. Syrah is a red grape with a hearty pioneering spirit and is easy for winemakers to work with. It’s very healthy, ripens early, resists mildew and rot and adapts to various winemaking styles. Syrah has a long history in California, with the best examples standing up to the biggest California Cabernets. Like a Cabernet, Syrah has a wealth of
tannins and complex flavor combinations. Count yourself in the Syrah camp if you enjoy spicy, peppery, smoky flavors as well as blackberries, plums and other flavors. Keep working your tongue and you might detect a touch of licorice or baker’s chocolate.
Syrah Rosé
Let’s deconstruct this one. Syrah is a red wine grape. Rosé, also known as a blush wine, is a light pink wine made from a blend of several red wine grapes. The pink or rose color comes from minimizing the time the juice spends in contact with the grape skins. In contrast to their full-blooded parents, Rosés tend to be light with some sweetness. Dry Rosés are popular in many regions of the world because of their color, pronounced fruit flavor and delicate body. Syrah Rosé is a good choice for those who enjoy raspberry and strawberry flavors, lavender and violet. Even though a Syrah Rosé is not a dark red wine,
tannins are present, but light, giving it plenty of crispness and body.
White Zinfandel
White Zinfandel is one of the new kids on the block, or shelf. It’s produced in the same fashion as other blush wines or Rosés. The juice from red Zinfandel grapes is allowed to linger with the grape skins for a very short time to produce a coral-pink wine that is mildly sweet. It’s been a gateway wine for many newcomers to the wine world, yet it remains popular because of its clean refreshing flavor. If you are new to wine or just enjoy flavors like orange, vanilla, strawberry, raspberry and cherry, pair a chilled glass of White Zinfandel with a warm summer day and prepare to be pleased.
Zinfandel
California is famous for sun, surf, celebrity and, of course, Zinfandel. This red grape originated in Italy but, like so many others, found fame and fortune in the Golden State. In the glass, Zinfandel has a deep red color that can almost appear black with the right lighting. In the mouth, Zinfandel is a very hearty wine with flavors that range from fruity to spicy, depending on age. If you like spicy peppery flavors and dark cherries, give Zinfandel a whirl.