Grape Alternatives

Different Wine Grapes, a quick guide.

There are, according to different sources, approximately 10,000 different wine varieties grown throughout the world today.  Wine Enthusiast breaks down those to “just” 300 of the more commonly found wine grape varieties.  Other professional wine websites break this number down into 24 or even the 10 most common types you will come across.  These numbers are a little more palatable.  In our experience we’ve found its easier to break these numbers down into red wine and white wine varieties. For now, we are going to focus on single grape varietals.   In most regions around the world, sometimes the region describes the wine, not the variety.  An example of this would be Bordeaux, which is usually a blend of five different grapes.  Or Burgundy, which is a region that predominantly produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  There are exceptions, in the wine industry, there are always exceptions.  

Our intention is to take this a step farther.  Below are the most popular, and most produced varieties.  That often means they’re going to be more expensive.  We pay for brands, and grape varieties, regions and produces have become brand names.  So, we’d like to also point out similar alternatives that are lessor known but have similar characteristics to their more popular cousins.  We will of course, offer a discount to our Viognier at the end of the post.  

So what are some of the more well-known red and white wine grapes?  Here is a quick list of 20 wines:

Red:

- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah/Shiraz
- Termpranillo
- Sangiovese
- Zinfandel
- Malbec
- Grenache
- Nebbiolo

White:

- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
- Riesling
- Chenin Blanc
- Viognier
- Semillon
- Gewurtzaminer
- Mustcat
- Vermentino

We have found that people tend to order and drink wine varieties and wine brands they are familiar with and recognize from experience. Which can be very helpful when looking at a complicated wine list at a restaurant.  Especially when you’re about to have a meal with friends or colleagues.  We recommend consulting the restaurants sommelier if possible.  Explain to them your budget, and maybe some of the dishes you’re thinking of ordering and the wine or wine styles that you like. (if there isn’t a Sommelier (Somm)available, a quick google search putting in some of these parameters often works well).  Let them come back to you with a couple options and alternatives to the variety you usually order.  You might be surprised with something new and worst case; you’ll officially know you don’t like that new grape.  If you’re dining with a larger group, it’s nice to always ask the Somm or waiter to keep an extra bottle of what you ordered ready, so you don’t run out during the meal.  

Here are some alternatives to the top three red and white grape varietals. 

Red Wine Grape Alternatives:

- For Merlot try: Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Valpolicella or Ripaasso,  Grenache or Nebbiolo.  
- Alternatives for Pinot Noir might be: Gamay, Cinsault, Mencia, Trousseau or Frappato.  
- Instead of Cabernet Sauvignon maybe try a Syrah, Mouvedre, Tempranillo, Grenache or Aglianico

White Wine Grape Alternatives:

- Instead of a classic Chardonnay maybe try our viognier! Or Chenin Blanc, Godello or Etna Bianco.  
- For Sauvignon Blanc instead try Gruner Veltliner, Vernaccia, Albarino or Vermentino
- Maybe instead of Pinot Grigio try Soave, Cortese, Greco di Tufo, or a Muscadet

Hopefully this helps the next time you are thinking of what to order at a restaurant or searching the shelf of a local wine store for something to pair with dinner.  Please use CHARDORNOT for 20 percent off 6 or more bottles of our viognier for the month of October.