Red Grape Varietals

Native American grapes

A term used for grape varieties indigenous to the Americas. There are four main species that are related to wine production-vitis aestivalis, vitis labrusca, vitis riparia, and vitis rotundifolia-none of which produce grapes used to make the world's fine wines.

Norton and Cynthiana

A species of vine native to America and grown primarily in the area in and around Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The best-known variety is the red grape Cynthiana, sometimes called Norton.

Concord, Delaware and Catawba
One of the main North American vine species, vitis labrusca is found primarily in Canada and the northeastern United States, although some grapes of this species are grown in South America. The concord variety is the best known, followed by the catawba and the Delaware. Grapes from this species have a pronounced musky, grapey, foxy quality that's often criticized by vitis vinifera aficionados.

Baco Noir
A native America vine species noted for its resistance to phylloxera and best known for breeding rootstocks that can withstand this disease. There are some grape varieties of this species used in winemaking, although the best known are hybrids (such as baco noir) that have been developed from breeding vitis riparia with vitis vinifera varieties.

Suppernog
Vine species that is native to the region around the Gulf of Mexico and is part of the muscadine family. This species, whose name is attributed to the vines' round leaves, produces grapes with a strong, musky flavor. The best known variety-the bronze-colored scuppernong-is used to make sweet wines that are still popular in some areas of the South.

Native American varieties have made an important contribution to the wine world in that they are phylloxera-resistant, particularly the vitis riparia species. After European vineyards were devastated by phylloxera

Red Grape Varietals

Varietal	Origin	Description
Aglianico	Greece	Tannic, tarry wines of great breed and lasting power from southern Italy.
Alicante	France	Hybrid. Undistinguished grape with highly colored juice, teinturier.
Baco Noir	American	Hybrid. Full-bodied, deep color, smoky blackberry flavor.
Barbera	Italy	Medium color, high acid, dry quaffing wine.
Cabernet Franc	France	(Bouchet) Usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Medium-weight, herbaceous wines suggestive of violets and raspberries.
Cabernet Sauvignon	France	Deep ruby color, black currant and cedar nose, full-bodied, tannic when young. Capable of long ageing. Softened with Merlot, Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux and in California and Australia.
Carignan	Spain	Widely planted, high yielding. Astringent table wine with good color, used for blending.
Cinsault	France	Hot weather grape, deep color and meaty flavor, low tannins. Good for blending.
Concord	American	The concord variety is the best known, followed by the catawba and the Delaware. Grapes from this species have a pronounced musky, grapey, foxy quality.
De Chaunac	France	Hybrid. Acid, tough red, slightly smoky in flavor.
Dolcetto	Italy	Deep-colored, soft, fruity wine, not for ageing.
Freisa	Italy	Garnet color, light, dry wine tasting of raspberries.
Gamay	France	Grape of Beaujolais. Fresh, fruity, light-bodied wines tasting of cherry and plums with peppery finish. Fast maturing.
Gamay Beaujolais	California	Hybrid. Pinot Noir, Valdiguié cross. Not very distinguished. Fruity flavor, high acid.
Grenache		(Garnacha/Cannonau) Fruity, high alcohol, low tannins, soft. Good for rosé. Fast maturing.
Grignolino	Italy	Light color, fragrant strawberry aroma, very dry.
Kadarka	Hungary	(Gamza) Powerful, deep, full-bodied wines.
Lambrusco	Italy	Light, grapey, fruity, off-dry wines.
Malbec	France	(Cot) Early maturing, low acid, blackberry flavor. A lesser blending grape in Bordeaux.
Maréchal Foch	France	Hybrid. Deep-colored, peppery, plummy, acidic wine.
Merlot	France	Purple, full-bodied wines, blackberry flavour. Less tannic and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon. Ages very well.
Mourvèdre	Spain	(Mataro) Deep-colored, powerful wines with a spicy blackberry taste.
Nebbiolo	Italy	(Spanna/Chiavennasca) The noble grape of Piedmont producing long-lasting wines that take time to soften. Brick red, truffles and violets on the nose with an austere dry finish.
Petite Sirah	France	Californian name for the French Duriff. Full-bodied, deep-colored wines with peppery flavour.
Pinot Noir	France	(Pinot Nero/Spätburgunder) One of the grapes of Champagne and the grape of red Burgundy. Difficult to cultivate. Garnet colour, barnyard bouquet, raspberry flavour, medium weight. Ages very well.
Pinot Meunier	France	Secondary grape of Champagne. Fruity, acidic, low alcohol.
Pinotage	S. Africa	(Hermitage) Pinot Noir Cinsault crossing. Robust, powerful red, inky nose. Fast maturing, ageing potential.
Primitivo	Italy	Massive black wines of high alcohol and intense fruit. Thought to be progenitor of the Californian Zinfandel.
Ruby Cabernet	California	Carignan Cabernet Sauvignon crossing. Deep-colored, fruity wines but lacking the finesse and breeding of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sangiovese	Italy	A Chianti grape usually blended with Canaiolo. Earthy, truffle-scented wines with fine acidity and ample tannins. Capable of long ageing.
Scuppernong	American	This species, whose name is attributed to the vines' round leaves, produces grapes with a strong, musky flavor. The best known variety-the bronze-colored scuppernong-is used to make sweet wines that are still popular in some areas of the South.
Syrah	Middle East or France	The origin of this grape has caused great debate. Recent DNA evidence suggest the wine comes from France, however, the popular belief is the Middle East. (Shiraz) Powerful black, aromatic wines tasting of blackberries and white pepper. Capable of long ageing.
Tempranillo	Spain	(Ull de Llebre) Pinot Noir-like character. Pale ruby color, coconut and sandalwood bouquet. Dry strawberry flavour. Ages elegantly.
Touriga Naçional	Portugal	The best port grape. Intense dark wine with high tannin and a lovely berry nose. Other port grapes include Mourisco, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Amarella, Tinta Cao and Touriga Francesa.
Xynomavro	Greece	Black wines of high acidity and tannin that age well.
Zinfandel	California	Versatile grape that can produce powerhouse to medium-weight reds, rosés and blush wines. Characterized by a blackberry flavour and intense fruit. Also late harvest with port-like sweetness.

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