More than 100 red and
white grape varieties grow in the U.S; these are the more significant.
Chardonnay-
most widely grown white grape of the best grown in cool areas.
Chenin
Blanc- used primarily for jug wines in the past but
does have potential for tasty wines.
French
Colombard- a hardy grape that is planted in less than
ideal locations and is produced for jug wine.
Gewurztraminer-
a minor grape but can produce wonderful wines.
Marsanne-
made as a simple wine on its own and is blended with Roussanne in
white Rhone-style wines.
Muscat-
three varieties are used including Muscat Canelli, the most popular,
Black Muscat and Orange Muscat producing sweet delicious wines.
Pinot
Blanc- a minor grape with great potential; few top
producers.
Pinot
Gris- a minor grape in the U.S. but gaining importance;
Italian name is pinot grigio.
Riesling-
an often sweet wine that has scrumptious fruit and floral aromas.
Roussanne-
a minor production grape that is used with marsanne to produce white
Rhone-style blends.
Sauvignon
(or Fume) Blanc- a major grape grown that produces
citrus-like crisp flavors to creamier buttery flavors.
Semillon-
a minor grape used primarily for dessert wines.
Viognier-
leading white Rhone variety that produces a rich, full-bodied wine
with aromas of honeysuckle and melons.
U.S.
Red Grapes:
Dallas Bartenders- Beverage & Wine Catering
Barbera-
widely planted for jug wines but this grape is also being harvested
at lower quantity yields in order to increase good wines with cherry
and red raspberry flavors.
Cabernet
Franc- often used to combine with cabernet sauvignon
or merlot to make a Bordeaux-style blend but may be found produced
as a wine on its own.
Cabernet
Sauvignon- the first wines that put California in
the international spotlight. the most important of the red grape varieties
that give powerful and complex tones.
Carignane-
used historically for jug wines but produced at lower quantity to
make fine wines; often blended with other varieties to produce Rhone-style
wines.
Grenache-
widely planted and used primarily for jug wines but has been harvested
at lower yields to produce quality, spicy wines; blended also for
Rhone-style wines and is used to produce roses.
Malbec-
not a major grape but often used to blended to make Bordeaux-style
grapes.
Merlot-
a major grape that produces good table wine and occasionally expensive
wines; also may be blended with cabernet sauvignon.
Mourvedre-
a minor grape use mainly for blending Rhone-style
wines.
Petite
Sirah- a Syrah relative that produces a robust and
tannic wine.
Petit
Verdot- another minor grape used primarily for producing
Bordeaux-style wines.
Pinot
Noir- a major grape that produces complex and earthy
wines and is also used in sparkling wines.
Sangiovese-
a leading Italian variety that with its challenges produces a fine
medium-bodied wine with cherry flavors.
Syrah-
on its way to becoming California's most important red grape, Syrah
is the most successful and prestigious of the Rhone varieties and
is often blended to produce Rhone-style blends.
Zinfandel-
the second in widely grown red grapes that exhibit many varieties
such as the sweetish, pink wine known as white zinfandel to the rich
and robust wines that are almost purple in color.
