Let's Talk About Grapes

by Jon Fiume
September 19, 2005

To know wine it makes perfect sense to know grapes. Have you ever caught yourself with a wine list, trying to remember if a Cabernet is red or a Chardonnay is white? And what is all this chatter about a Pinot Noir? Well, this month - and to build upon the terms of last month's column - I thought it would be a good idea to review just the grapes. And although this list is the most popular, it is certainly by no means complete, especially when you begin to dive into the specific wine regions of the world. So, in no ranking order, here is the down and dirty on the vines that make the wines!

Cabernet Sauvignon
Probably the most well known red wine grape. Often times it is looked upon as being the finest of the red wines and for many of us the most difficult to pronounce. Cabernet grapes can be full bodied, structured, complex, and can age quite well.

Chardonnay
Everyone's favorite white wine originally from France's Burgundy region. Quite often they are known to be oaky in flavor although some winemakers' techniques have dismissed this practice and have played around a little. These techniques have yielded a wine that can be both dry, as well as full-bodied and complex with flavors. Most importantly, Chardonnays can be a lot of fun during the heat of the summer!

Merlot
Overtaken by pinot noir, this once popular red wine grape became the favorite of those new to wine. It can be easy drinking and therefore a wonderful alternative to those turned off by the boldness of a Cabernet. Merlot offers a variety of tones and a smoothness that can easily please the palate. The Merlot grape is found in plenty in France's Bordeaux region.

Pinot Noir
Today's most popular red wine, due to the recent movie "Sideways," this red grape from France's Burgundy region and our west coast produces light and medium body wines. The flavor profile of Pinot Noir can be fruity with a sense of earthiness. Pinot Noirs are also good for those new to wines.

Pinot Grigio
The white wine of Pinots, and mainly known as Italian, Pinot Grigio is also grown in the Alsace region of France and our own Oregon. It offers a variety of flavors, from being light and crisp to more full and spicy. If you have happened to see or taste a Pinot Gris, it is the same grape as Pinot Grigio.

Syrah
A bold red grape that can rival a Cabernet. Syrahs are most popularly known to grow in Australia and are known there as Shiraz. However, they can also be found in South Africa, California and the Northern Rhone region of France. Syrahs can be complex and full-bodied, and they offer the flavors of black pepper, as well as dark fruits such as blackberries. They are a great consideration when you find yourself a little tired of Cabernets.

Petit Syrah
Completely different than the previously mentioned Syrah. Legend has it that this grape was mistakenly brought to the U.S. from France. Petit Syrah is a red grape often blended with other grapes such as Zinfandel in order to create more full-bodied wine.

Zinfandel
A fun red wine to drink, which you will often see with a higher alcohol content. Very popular in California, this grape produces wines that are spicy, robust, and with a wide flavor profile of berries and jam. As far as red wines go, I enjoy a good Zinfandel during the summer months. Although they are used to create your mother's wine, White Zinfandel, true red Zins are in a category of their own.

Tempranillo
I must mention this Spanish red grape, as it has gained a lot of popularity especially with the fact that Spanish wines have taken their place among some of the best tasting and best valued wines available today. Tempranillo comes from the Rioja region of northern Spain. Tempranillo wines are typically medium bodied and are often mixed with the Grenache grape. They are a must try and are excellent for those new to the world of wines.

This months featured selection:

Au Bon Climat 2002 Pinot Noir. $30.00
Well worth the money, and as a treat for how much you are learning and appreciating wine, this Pinot Noir will stand out among the masses that are being consumed today. The winemaker Jim Clendenen, a northern Ohio native, has produced this wine in the Santa Barbara region of California. The best way to describe this Pinot Noir is balanced, and that was the exact goal that Clendenen had in mind. It offers a variety of fruit tones, including cherry and red currants, as well as the earthiness that you would expect from a good Pinot. You will find it to have a little more body and a balanced acidity. Quite enjoyable!