Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn” Taste: Black Cherry, Black Currant, Baking Spices, Cedar
Style: Full-bodied Red Wine
Description: Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine that originated in France. Today, it’s the most popular wine variety in the world. Wines taste full-bodied with bold tannins and a long persistent black peppery finish.
Food Pairing: lamb, beef, smoked meats, French, American, firm cheeses like aged cheddar and hard cheeses like Pecorino Cabernet Sauvignon Alternatives Merlot: lighter and smoother with more cherry flavors Cabernet Franc: lighter with more red pepper and herb flavors Carménère: (Chile) lighter with more red pepper and cherry flavors Bordeaux Blend: a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot from Bordeaux, France Sangiovese: (Italy) spicier with more herbal and tart cherry flavors |
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Syrah
“Sear-ah” (aka Shiraz) Taste: Blueberry, Plum, Pepper, Chocolate, Tobacco
Style: Full-bodied Red Wine
Description: Syrah (aka Shiraz) is a full-bodied red wine that originated in France. Wines are full-bodied with bold fruit flavors and subtle tannin that drops off into a smooth finish. Syrah is commonly blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to create the red Rhône blend.
Food Pairing: lamb, beef, smoked meats, Mediterranean, French, American, salty cheeses such as feta, firm cheeses like white cheddar, and hard cheeses like Manchego Syrah Alternatives Malbec: (Argentina) lighter and smoother on the finish with more plum flavors Petit Sirah: (United States) bolder and more tannic with blackberry flavors Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre): (Spain) bolder and smokier Pinotage: (South Africa) bolder and smokier |
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Zinfandel
“Zin-fan-dell” Taste: Strawberry, Blackberry, 5 Spice Powder, Sweet Tobacco
Style: Medium-bodied Red Wine
Description: Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) is a medium-bodied red wine that originated in Croatia. Wines are fruit-forward and spicy with a medium length finish. Zinfandel is a red grape that may be better known as the rosé wine White Zinfandel.
Food Pairing: chicken, pork, cured meat, lamb, beef, barbecue, Italian, American, Chinese, Thai, Indian, full-flavored like cheddar and firm cheeses such as Manchego Zinfandel Alternatives Grenache (aka Garnacha): Lighter and less spicy with more raspberry flavors Tempranillo: (Spain) Less fruity and more tannic with red cherry flavors. Rhône Blend: a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre originally from Rhône Valley of France Carignan: Lighter with more juicy red fruit flavors |
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Pinot Noir
“Pee-no Nwar” Taste: Cherry, Cranberry, Clove, Mushroom
Style: Light-bodied Red Wine
Description: Pinot Noir is a dry light-bodied red wine that originated in France. Wines are somewhat tart with a burst of fruit that leads into a long soft finish.
Food Pairing: chicken, pork, veal, duck, cured meat, French, German, cream sauces, soft cheeses, nutty medium-firm cheeses like Gruyère Pinot Noir Alternatives Gamay (aka Beaujolais): (France) Lighter, juicier and more bitter on the finish |
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Chardonnay
“Shar-dun-nay” Taste: Starfruit, Yellow Apple, Butter, Chalk
Style: Full-bodied White Wine
Description: Chardonnay is a dry full-bodied white wine that originated in France. When oak-aged, Chardonnay will taste creamy and buttery. Unoaked wines are lighter and zesty with apple and citrus flavors. Chardonnay is the white wine of Burgundy.
Food Pairing: lobster, crab, shrimp, chicken, pork, mushroom, French, cream sauces, soft cheeses such as triple cream brie, medium-firm cheeses like Gruyère Chardonnay Alternatives Sémillon: Lighter with more lemon flavors Viognier: More perfume and vanilla flavors |
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Sauvignon Blanc
“Saw-vin-yawn Blonk” Taste: Gooseberry, Honeydew Melon, Passion Fruit, Grass
Style: Light-bodied White Wine
Description: Sauvignon Blanc is a dry light-bodied white wine that originated in France. Wines are zesty, typically with herbal green fruit flavors. Sauvignon Blanc is an older heritage grape, a parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Food Pairing: fish, chicken, pork, veal, Mexican, Vietnamese, French, herb-crusted goat cheese, nutty cheeses such as Gruyère Sauvignon Blanc Alternatives Vermentino: from Italy Verdejo: from Spain Grüner Veltliner: from Austria Colombard: from Southern France |
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Pinot Gris
“Pee-no Gree” (aka Pinot Grigio) Taste: Lemon Pith, Honeydew Melon, Nectarine, White Peach
Style: Light-bodied White Wine
Description: Pinot Gris is a dry light-bodied white wine that originated from Northern Italy and France. Wines are zesty, thirst-quenching and often lighter in alcohol (12% ABV) making them ideal for outdoor dining.
Food Pairing: Pinot Gris Alternatives Albariño: from Spain Soave: The grape is Garganega, and the wine is from Italy Muscadet: The grape is Melon de Bourgogne, and the wine is from France |
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Riesling
“Reese-ling” Taste: Lime, Apple, Beeswax, Honey
Style: Aromatic (sweet) White Wine
Description: Riesling is an off-dry aromatic white wine (dry styles also exist) that originated from Germany where it is the most important wine. Wines are mouth-watering and tart with a lemon-honey-like sweetness. Riesling is considered a low alcohol wine when it is sweet at around 9%–10% ABV.
Food Pairing: chicken, pork, duck, turkey, cured meat, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Moroccan, German, washed-rind cheeses and fondue Riesling Alternatives Muscat Blanc (aka Moscato):sweeter with more candied pear flavors Gewürztraminer: richer with more rose flavors Torrontés: less sweet with more peach and flower flavors Chenin Blanc: less sweet with more apple flavors |
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