18 Noble Grapes

Front 1

Sangiovese

Back 1

Italian red wine, and variety of grape typical of the regions of Tuscany and Romagna

The most widely planted red wine grape in Italy – it is the grape responsible for Brunello and Chianti. ("San jo vey-sey")

Front 2

Grenache

Back 2

Red grape which is cultivated for wine-making all over the world

Tends to be lacking in tannins and acid, which is why it is often blended with grapes such as Syrah, Cinsault, and Tempranillo

Front 3

Pino Noir

Back 3

Red grape variety which is principally associated with Burgundy, East Central France

Difficult to grow, but makes excellent wines with a raspberry, cherry bouquet

Front 4

Tempranillo

Back 4

Spanish red wine grape variety. It produces dark, aromatic, fruity wines, with soft tannins which become very smooth in the barrel

Front 5

Merlot

Back 5

Ripens early with a high yield, which makes it one of the most popular red-wine varietals (varietal means wine made from 1 predominant grape, rather than a blend of grapes) in the world

Known for their fruity, velvety quality

Front 6

Syrah/Shiraz

Back 6

Red grape variety which can be blended with grapes such as Cinsault ("sa soh"), or made into a varietal. Syrah wines have a high acidity and tannins, and a scented, smoky bouquet

Syrah is also called ‘Shiraz’

Front 7

Malbec

Back 7

Red grape variety which used to be popular in Bordeaux, but is now more popular in Cahors. It produces a dark wine, high in tannins. In the Cahors region of France, the grape is also known as ‘Auxerrois’ ("ox air whah")

Particularly popular in Argentina, where it is grown as a varietal

Front 8

Cabernet Sauvignon

Back 8

Variety of grape which is considered the best wine grape in the world. It is the most important grape variety in Bordeaux, and is grown extensively all over the world

Front 9

Pino Grigio (*2 syllables)/Pino Gris

Back 9

Grayish (‘gris’ means ‘gray’ in French) pink grape variety which is used to make white wines. It is related to Pinot Noir. It is popular in the Alsace region of France, but is grown word-wide

In Italian, Pinot Gris is known as Pinot Grigio

Front 10

Sauvignon Blanc

Back 10

Green grape which is also used to make a white wine of the same name, among others

Make for a crisp, fresh wine

Front 11

Riesling

Back 11

White grape, and the wine produced from that grape, It is Germany’s most popular grape, known for its acidity and ability to age well

It can be used to make dry and sweet wines. Makes high quality late harvest wines thanks to its affinity with Botrytis Cinerea (Noble Root)

Front 12

Gewürtztraminer

Back 12

Grayish-pink grape variety which is used to make white wines. ‘Gewürz’ is German for ‘spice’, so it translates as ‘spice, or spicy traminer’.

Produces wines with a golden edge and a perfumed bouquet, which some describe as roses and muscat, while others identify a strong lychee aroma

Front 13

Chardonnay

Back 13

White grape which originated in Burgundy. It is relatively easy to grow, which contributes to its popularity. It is one of 3 grape varieties permitted to be used in the making of champagne, and the only grape variety permitted for AOC Chablis wines

Front 14

Viognier

Back 14

White grape, varietal wine, difficult to grow, which makes it relatively rare, Viognier is grown in the Rhône in France, California and Australia

Floral bouquet, and tastes of peach, apricot, and spices may be present. It is best paired with spicy foods & salty cheeses. Usually dry, but can also be a dessert wine

Front 15

Moscato/Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains/Muscat

Back 15

White grape variety which is known as Moscato in Italian. It is widely planted, and produces a very sweet, oily and complex dessert wines

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains which is used to make the Italian sweet sparkling wines known as Asti, Greek muscat from the island of Samos is also well regarded

Front 16

Chenin Blanc/Steen

Back 16

Highly versatile white grape variety – it can produce a whole spectrum of wines, from bone dry to sparkling to sweet. It can be made into a varietal, or used in blends

Chenin Blanc originates in the Loire, but is grown internationally. In South Africa it is also known as ‘Steen’ ("Stayin")

Front 17

Sémillon/Wyndruif

Back 17

Golden-skinned white grapes which can be used to make dry white wines, but which are particularly suited to the production of quality sweet white wines ("wangdriff")

Front 18

Nebbiolo

Back 18

Red wine grape variety which is used to produce some of the greatest Italian red wines

Complex bouquet which layers tea, spices, roses, and tar, and is high in tannins, It only grows well on certain sites, and for this reason, it is not widely grown internationally ("neb ih olo")