What is a grape variety?

Understanding Grape Varieties

Grape varieties used for wine production are essentially types of grapes suited for winemaking. In France, vine cultivation is a millennial tradition, and the French vineyard is composed of numerous regions, each highlighting a particular grape variety (such as Gamay in Beaujolais) or multiple varieties (like in the Rhône Valley), each with its own aromas and characteristics. This article will explore what a grape variety is and which grape varieties are the most cultivated in France and worldwide.

Definition of a Grape Variety

A grape variety refers to a type of vine cultivated specifically to produce wine. Each grape variety has its own unique characteristics and thrives in specific terroirs and climates. Worldwide, there are about 10,000 different grape varieties, of which 249 are permitted in France. Despite this extensive number, 75% of wine production comes from only a dozen grape varieties.

To produce quality wine, winemakers cultivate grape varieties from the same species: Vitis vinifera. This is the most widely cultivated species for wine production. However, there are also other species, such as Vitis labrusca, which is common in the United States. All these species belong to the genus Vitis, which is part of the Vitaceae family. This plant family includes all types of vines, such as the virgin vine that covers house walls.

Differences Between Wine Grapes and Table Grapes

Winemakers and farmers who cultivate table grapes do not seek the same qualities in the grapes. Table grapes are very different from those grown for wine production.

Table grapes need to be juicy with a thin skin and few seeds to be pleasant to eat. For winemaking, it is preferable to have berries with thicker skins from which color and aromas can be extracted. Moreover, seeds contribute tannins to red wines, which structure the wine.

Major Wine Grape Varieties

There is a wide range of wine grape varieties, each with unique characteristics and flavor profiles. Here are some of the main grape varieties cultivated in France:

• Chardonnay: This white grape variety adapts to any climate. In France, it is the emblematic white grape of Burgundy and produces dry white wine and Champagne. It is also one of the most planted and appreciated white grape varieties globally. It can exhibit mineral and floral notes in a cool climate and a richer, brioche-like palette when aged in oak barrels.

• Sauvignon Blanc: Known for its expressiveness, it is renowned in Loire Valley appellations such as AOC Sancerre, where it shows great minerality and depth.

• Chenin Blanc: This white grape variety is grown in the Loire Valley, South Africa, and the United States.

• Gewürztraminer: An emblematic grape variety of Alsace, it produces dry, off-dry, or sweet white wines with distinctive aromas of rose, lychee, and exotic fruits.

• Viognier: Particularly used in the prestigious white wines of the Rhône Valley (AOC Condrieu).

• Riesling: Essential in Alsace and Germany, Riesling is a white grape variety with complex aromas and high minerality.

• Muscat: Very aromatic, it produces both dry and sweet white wines.

• Pinot Noir: One of the most beloved red grape varieties worldwide, it has made Burgundy famous with its red fruit aromas (cherry) and great complexity in the best terroirs.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: An iconic red grape of the Bordeaux vineyard and the most planted variety worldwide. It produces tannic wines with aromas of black fruits and spices.

• Merlot: The most widely planted red grape variety in France, especially in Bordeaux, it produces wines with aromas of red fruits and undergrowth. It is fruitier when aged in tanks and develops woody notes after barrel aging.

• Grenache Noir: One of the most widely planted varieties globally, it is known for its roundness, ripe fruit aromas, and smooth tannins.

• Syrah: Known for its role in AOC Côte-Rôtie wines, it is the most planted red grape variety in Australia.

• Cabernet Franc: Offers silky wines with cassis notes and is highly regarded in Loire and Bordeaux wines.

• Gamay: The emblematic grape variety of Beaujolais, Gamay provides red fruit aromas and a great deal of flexibility and freshness on the palate.

FAQ - Grape variety

What is the difference between a grape variety and an appellation?

A grape variety is the type of grape used, such as chardonnay, merlot or pinot noir. An appellation refers to a defined geographical area and its production rules, which allow specific grape varieties. The same variety can appear in several appellations.

How many grape varieties are there in the world?

There are around 10,000 different grape varieties worldwide, of which 249 are authorised in France. Yet about 75% of all wine production comes from just a dozen of them.

What are the main white grape varieties?

The most widely grown white varieties include chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, gewurztraminer, viognier, riesling and muscat. Each one expresses itself differently depending on the terroir and climate.

What are the main black grape varieties?

The major red varieties include pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, grenache noir, syrah, cabernet franc and gamay. They produce red wines with very different profiles, from the lightest to the most tannic.

What is the difference between wine grapes and table grapes?

Table grapes are selected to be juicy, with thin skins and few seeds. Wine grapes have thicker skins that provide colour and aromas, plus seeds that add the tannins giving red wines their structure.