International Grape Varieties

"International Grape Varieties" is a loose term for those with an international reputation for their varietal wines. These are planted in almost every major wine region in which they stand a chance of ripening. Foremost amongst them are the red wine variety Cabernet Sauvignon and the white wine variety Chardonnay.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The grape with perhaps the widest reputation for the production of red wines. It is the great vine of the Medoc in Bordeaux and is widely planted throughout the world including Chile, Australia (specifically in the Coonawarra), California (most especially in the Napa Valley) and Bulgaria. Indeed, the only vine growing regions of the world where Cabernet Sauvignon is not tried is in Burgundy and the Rhone. It buds late, lessening the danger of damage from spring frosts, the grape-bunches are loosely formed, and the grapes are thick-skinned, have a high skin to pulp ratio and are resistant to rot and insects. It has a low yield. Because of the nature of the grape the resultant wine is full-bodied and tannic, with a blackcurrant taste that ages well.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is best on chalky soils and has expanded widely from its Burgundian roots. It is liable to suffer from mildew, with yields that are moderate, and the wines can lose their character if "over" produced. Nevertheless it is responsible for some of the great wines of the Cote d'Or. It produces a wine that will normally age well in wood, giving a round, buttery flavor. Chardonnay may also be known as "Morillon" in Austria. There are also rare, but distinct, pink-berried mutations; Chardonnay Rose, and the heavily perfumed Chardonnay Blanc Musqué.

Other strong candidates for international grape varieties are Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz/Syrah for the reds. For the whites this may also include: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Semillon.

Merlot

Merlot is the second black grape variety of Bordeaux and the dominant one in Saint Emilion and Pomerol. It has become fashionable in the US and as a result there have been widespread plantings in California. It also succeeds well in New Zealand. Probably at its best when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, it suffers from a downy mildew and grey rot but is resistant to other diseases. As a wine, it has a round, rather soft fruitiness and low tannins, maturing relatively quickly.

Pinot Noir

Burgundy created Pinot Noir's great reputation. Also called Spatburgunder in Germany and Pinot Nero in Italy, it is planted widely around the world but no where else, apart from perhaps in California, does it produce such perfect wines. There are a broad range of clones of this variety. Its yields are small and it demands well-drained soil as it is liable to both mildew and rot. At its best, it gives wine whose flavor is a "summer pudding" of soft red fruits. As it ages, the wine can take on the aroma of rotting vegetables.

Syrah

Know as Shiraz to the Australians, this is one of the few grapes of the world that thrives on poor soil. It is responsible for the great red wines of the Northern Rhone and is planted widely throughout Southern France and Australia to improve blends (usually with Cabernet Sauvignon). It gives full, heavy, fruity wines, with a hint of blackberry.

Sauvignon Blanc

A classic grape variety which is planted widely in Bordeaux, the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume) and the New World (where is it often called Fume Blanc). It needs to be planted on poorer soils and is prone to rot. Sauvignon Blanc is generally used to produce dry wines with marked acidity, either with or without oak ageing, but is also an important constituent of Sauternes, where is it used to add acidity to the blend. Sauvignon Blanc wines tend to have a distinctive herbaceous, green, vegetal taste.

Riesling

Riesling is widely planted throughout the world. It produces the classic wines of Germany, particularly in the Rheingau and Mosel. The best wines have high acidity with a minerally, peachy or petrolly aroma. However, the vine's hardiness makes it ideal for late-harvest wines. In the New World the vine can be called "Rhine Rhiesling" or "Johannisberg Riesling" and in South Africa, "Weisser Riesling". Its name has been widely adopted, particularly in newer vineyard areas, for varieties that have little to do with true Riesling; for example, "Laski Rizling", "Hunter Valley Riesling" and "Cape Riesling".

Muscat

There are a number of different Muscats grown around the world, but they all have one thing in common; they produce wines, often fortified or sparkling, with an intensely grapey taste. The best come from the Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, but this is particularly sensitive to mildew and gives poor yields. Probably the best known, "lesser" grape is Muscat of Alexandria.

Gewurztraminer

A native of northern Italy, this grape is at is best in Alsace where is gives distinctive spicy wines with hints of exotic fruit (particularly lychees). It is now widely grown in Australia, where it is generally blended with Riesling, New Zealand and California. It can also be found in Eastern Europe. Gewurztraminer can be used to make excellent botrytized wines.

Semillon

Semillon is often at is best in a blend with Sauvignon Blanc. It is planted around the world and, because of it's susceptibility to botrytis, is often responsible for great sweet wines, particularly in Bordeaux.

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