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Grape varieties

Grape varieties
  • Airén: White variety, after Chardonnay the most cultivated variety worldwide. It is very hardy and frugal, tolerates long periods of drought and heat. The ideal grape variety for Spain's largest wine-growing region, La Mancha, which also produces numerous organic wines.
  • Albariño: the most important white grape variety in Galicia in northwestern Spain and here from the Denominacion Rias Baixas. (Alba means dawn, analogously - light, riño meaning - from the Rhine. This created a connection to the Rhine Riesling, with which the Albariño vine is not related. It is said that the best white wines in Spain are produced from it, which undoubtedly includes our organic wine Albariño from Bodega Corisca .
  • Albarinho: is the dominant white grape variety in the Vinho Verde region in northwestern Portugal. Only in the Moncao growing zone is it the only permitted grape variety for the production of Vinho Verde.
  • Albarossa: By crossing Nebbiolo and Barbera in the growing area, the Poggio Ridente winery produces an excellent Albarossa with a strong colour, intense fruity aromas and sustainable taste.
  • Alfrocheiro: is an indigenous red grape variety. It is either cultivated in varieties, or is also often used in cuvées. Originally, it was used in the DAO -Area cultivated. It found its way south to the Alentejo region because of its positive qualities. There it is used by Herdade dos Outeiros Altos with great success for several organic wines. With a strong colour, lively acidity, ripe tannins and aromas of blackberries and strawberries  the Alfocheiro is often used for cuvées. In the vineyard, it requires a lot of attention and work, but produces high-quality wines with reduced harvest quantities.
  • Alicante or Alicante Bouchet: red grape variety is grown in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy and is popular for its deep dark colour.< /li>
  • Ancellotta: Italy and central Italy, blue-black color, susceptible to oidium and downy mildew.
  • Aragonez: is an Iberian grape variety that is known in Spain as Tempranillo (early ripening), and in the Portuguese wine-growing regions of Douro, Beira and Dao as well Tinta Roriz is called. The Quinta da Caldeirinha and the Quinta do Montalto deliver single-variety, high-quality, full-bodied, robust, yet elegant, spicy and very fruity organic wines.
  • Baga: Portugal, Originally at home in the Barraida - wine-growing region, you can find them all over Portugal today. It has small berries, is thick-skinned, late-ripening, rich in tannin and acidic. These are good bases for high quality and storable organic wines with aromas of berries, dark plums, coffee, with notes of cedar, hay, dried fruit, smoke and tobacco. The Quinta do Montalto uses them for various organic wine cuvées.
  • Barbera: Italy, Piedmont, also in Emilia Romagna, as well as in other Italian wine-growing regions authochtone, red grape variety. With large, slightly oval, blue-black berries, it is a high yielder with neutral aromas. With a reduced harvest quantity, it produces powerful, dark wines with plum aromas, clear acidity and a high alcohol content.
  • Bobal: is an important Spanish red grape variety that grows in the Alicante area in the DO Utiel Requena in the Valencian hinterland at high altitudes of 750 m is grown. The medium-sized grape with black-blue berries with a firm skin delivers intense ruby red wines with a fresh taste on the palate.
  • Bourboulenc: is a white grape variety that is mainly cultivated in the Rhône region. It is one of the 13 reindeer varieties approved for Chateauneuf du Pape wines. It ripens late and has a clear acidity, which makes it ideal for ensuring a pleasant freshness in cuvées. See Châteauneuf du Pape of the Domaine de Marcoux.
  • Bouchet: a synonym for Cabernet Franc. The red grape variety is grown not only in France in Bordeaux, but also on the Loire, but also in Veneto (Italy). See Château Rioublanc, Château Beau Rivage, Château la Croix Taillefer. It is also used in Veneto, Italy and by Quinta do Montalto to produce fine organic wines.
  • Bussanello: Piedmont. Bussanello is a cross between Riesling Italico and Furmint, carried out by Prof. Dalmasso between 1960 and 1970. It has small to medium-sized or medium-sized berries, ripens relatively late and is particularly productive. It needs good locations with long exposure to the sun, as is the case with Poggio Ridente, and then produces wines with fullness and good structure, which are also suitable for aging in barriques.
  • Cabernet Franc: France, important variety around Libourne. Fine spicy aromas, good structure and ability to age.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: high quality variety. Very aromatic, black currant, often cedar wood, with a high tannin content. Is an important component in almost all Bordeaux wines.
  • Canaiolo: Italy, Tuscany Contained in many Chianti wines, Torre alle Tolfe, Buondonno, ,Casina di Cornia. Its berries are small, very dark purple in color and produce a light colored juice. With little acid and tannins, it has a balancing effect in a cuvée with Sangiovese, which contains a little more acid and tannins.
  • Chardonnay: internationally widespread white grape variety with relatively neutral characteristics, can therefore be combined with dishes in a variety of ways, depending on the type of winemaking. Suitable for aging in barriques. Chardonnay is the only authorized grape variety for Chablis, the great classic white wine. See also Tenuta San Vito and Weingut Sander.
  • Chenin Blanc: France, white grape variety that produces great wines in the Loire
  • Cinsault: Provence, Rhône, Languedoc Roussillon. Red wine variety, full-bodied, soft, warm, light red, often used for mainly rosé wines. Terres Blanches, Les Baux de Provence rosé.
  • Clairette: France, Provence, white grape variety, famous for Clairette de Die, a mousseux from the area around the town of Die. It is contained in the best white wines at Château Romanin, Domaine de La Vallongue and Château La Canorgue.
  • Colombard: is a white, relatively low-acid grape variety that is well suited for the production of sparkling wines, for example in Cremant de Bordeaux.< /li>
  • Colorino: Italy, Tuscany, large cluster with small berries of deep blue color (hence the name) produces colour-intensive, full-bodied wines like in Montecucco by Poggio Trevvalle and Torre alle Tolfe.
  • Cortese: Italy, Piedmont. Cortese is a white grape variety from which the famous Gavi is produced in the small denomination of Gavi in eastern Piedmont. The Cortese is also often pressed in other parts of Piedmont in connection with other grape varieties to make interesting white wines.
  • Corvina Grossa: Veneto, red grape variety used for many organic wines. It is related to the Corvina Veronese, but has a higher yield. Corte Sant Alda, Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicca.
  • Corvina Veronese: a high-quality red grape variety in the Valpolicella area, is preferably used to produce good Amarone. Deep dark color, rich aromas.
  • Counoise: France, in Chateauneuf du Pape, it is one of 13 authorized red grape varieties. See also the Château Romanin rosé, Domaine des Terres Blanches rosé.
  • Croatina Rossara: red grape variety that brings uneven but high-quality yields. In Northern Italy, Valpolicello by Corte Sant Alda
  • Dolcetto: Italy, Piedmont, produces ruby red, tart and full-bodied wines with a bittersweet aftertaste.
  • Falanghina: Italy - Campania and Apulia. White grape variety, the color of the berries varies from green-grey to yellowish-grey. Falanghina wines are aromatic but harmonious. Synonyms are Falerna, Falerno Veronese and others.
  • Fernao Pires: Fernao is an aromatic white grape variety from Portugal, which is mainly part of interesting Cuvée's, but also varietal such as from Quinta do Montalto is offered. Its aromas of citrus fruits, notes of spices, honey and mineral nuances are typical.
  • Fonte Cal: Portugal An autochthonous white grape variety from the north-eastern part of the DOC Beira, which is only very rarely made into a varietal wine. Great and well-structured, fruity-flowery white wines can be made from it. Since it produces little acid, it is often blended with more acidic varieties.
  • Garganega: Italy, the most important white grape variety in the Soave area, east of Verona. It also dominates in the Soave by La Cappuccina.
  • Garnacha: important grape variety in Spain, light red in colour, powerful and full-bodied red wines with up to 16% alcohol - Rioja Bagordi Navardia and Mas Estela.
  • Garnacha Blanca: Spain, synonym Lladoner, Grenache blanc in France, Rhône, Provence - see Domaine des Terres Blanches, Languedoc and Roussillon or Mas Estela. Produces fruity white wines with a strong body, low acidity, spicy.
  • Gewürztraminer: Alsace, Germany, Baden, Trentin, South Tyrol. White, aromatic variety with spicy and floral notes. Often expanded with a little residual sugar.
  • Glera: (former name Prosecco) white grape variety in Veneto for the production of Prosecco Frizzante (sparkling wine) and Prosecco Spumante ( Sparkling wine, sparkling wine) is mandatory.
  • Graciano: Spain - Rioja, rare but high quality red variety that gives low yields but fine wines. Winemakers who are familiar with the Graciano variety achieve beguilingly perfumed wines with intense aromas and good structure.
  • Grasparossa: Red grape variety that is the basis for Lambrusco wines in Emilia Romana and especially for the production of the famous Aceto Balsamico di Modena is
  • Greco: Italy, southern Italy, white grape variety that originated in Thessaly and came to Italy in ancient times. Well vinified, they deliver finely scented, elegant wines.
  • Grenache: France, synonym Garnacha, Mediterranean red grape variety that delivers powerful wines with garnet red color. Is contained in almost all wines in the Côtes du Rhône, Chateauneuf du Pape and numerous wines from Provence.
  • Grüner Veltliner: widespread in Austria, on the Danube in the Wachau, in the Weinviertel and in the Kremstal. Produces fruity, spicy wines.
  • Gutedel: South Baden, (synonym Chasselas in Switzerland), white variety.
  • Jaen: Portugal,is a red grape variety that is cultivated in Spain and in north-western Portugal. It thrives particularly well on slate soils such as those found in the Douro region. The grape is thick-skinned, purple in colour. However, the wines from this variety are bright red with a chestnut-colored shimmer. Its aromas of dark berries, mint and thyme are typical, as well as its fresh acidity and tannins.
  • Johanniter: a new German breed from Gutedel, Ruländer (Pinot Gris) and Riesling with improved resistance to fungal diseases. The variety name goes back to Dr. Johannes Zimmermann, who had the crossing carried out in 1939, 1954 and 1968. The wines are similar to Riesling or Pinot Gris.
  • Kerner: Germany, Württemberg) white variety, spicy, powerful with a fine acidity. It is a cross between Riesling and Trollinger. Protected variety since 1969 and actually the only "purely Württemberg" vine. He bears the name of a  Doctor and poet from Weinsberg (Justinus Kerner (1786 - 1862).
  • Lemberger: Württemberg. Red variety that places high demands on the vineyard location. Dark red with a fruity and persistent bouquet.
  • Loureiro: Portugal, the Loureiro grape is mainly cultivated in the VINHO VERDE area, where it produces very aromatic wines with notes of laurel flowers, also produces orange blossoms, acacia and linden blossoms, apples, peaches.
  • Macabeu or Macabeo: France, Languedoc Roussillon, Spain (synonym Viura) white variety, widespread in northern Spain, ripens late, brings fruity-flowery wines and is not susceptible to oxidation.
  • Malbec: France, Bordeaux, Château Rioublanc, Cahors, synonym Côt on the Loire. Produces dark purple colored wines with berry and plum aromas and spicy notes.
  • Malvasia: is a common variety with different additional designations in southern wine-growing countries, including Tuscany, both as a white and as a red grape variety.
  • Malvasia Fina: A white grape variety that is predominantly found in northern Portugal (Douro, Dao, Beira Interior and also in the regions from Lisbon. It is used to create delicate white wines with aromas of honey, beeswax, nutmeg, sometimes they are smoky even if they were not aged in wooden barrels. As a cuvée with other varieties, it enriches the spectrum of aromas.
  • Mammolo: is only rarely found, smells of violets (mammolo).
  • Marsanne: France, Provence, Château La Canorgue, white variety also grown on the Rhone, which produces mild and full-bodied wines.< /li>
  • Marselan: relatively young grape variety is grown in Languedoc Roussillon, but also sporadically in Provence, such as on the Domaine La Marseillaise. A cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache produces strong, fruity wines like those from the Domaine Deneufbourg.
  • Maturana: In the Rioja region it was already known in 1622 under the name Ribada, ;      mentioned via. The already endangered variety became successful, early maturing, high-yielding vine is susceptible to botrytis. It produces high-alcoholic, acidic white wines with aromas of citrus, tropical fruits and herbs. In Spain it has been permitted in the DOCa wine Rioja since 2007 and occupies 11 hectares there.(Source: WeinPlus)
  • Mazuelo: Spain (synonym Cariñena), robust, rich in tannins and tannins, black-red when young, later brick-colored.
  • Melon de Bourgogne: France. White variety used east of Nantes for the production of Muscadet wines.
  • Mencia: a red grape variety that is mainly grown in the Spanish wine region of Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras. Mencia grapes thrive well on slate rock and, with good vinification, produce very fruity wines with a light red color and a light scent of graphite. Mencia wines are served and enjoyed at 12-14° C with light dishes in summer, and with hearty stews in winter.
  • Merlot: popular, high-quality international variety that produces fleshy, smooth wines with cherry aromas. With a few exceptions, it dominates in all wines from Saint Emilion, Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol and is also offered as a single variety by various winegrowers in other countries, such as by Château La Dorgonne.
  • Molinara: Italy, red grape variety, very late ripening, the grapes look as if they were powdered with flour. It is contained in small amounts in the Valpolicella Corte Sant Alda.
  • Monastrell: Spain (synonym Mourvedre in France), important red grape variety in the Denominacion Alicante.
  • Monica di Sardegna: Italy, mainly in Sardinia. Late-ripening variety, produces dark-colored, fruity wines with a round, full-bodied taste. Their name probably comes from "Monaco = monk" because they brought the grape variety from Spain to the island of Sardinia. The Monica di Sardegna from organic viticulture from the Cantina Evariastiano is particularly recommended.
  • Montepulciano: Italy, Marche and Abruzzo, Apulia. Autochthonous red grape variety from which fruity and strong organic wines are produced.
  • Mourisco Tinto: Portugal, red grape variety, the berries are of a deep dark colour. It is mainly planted in the Douro region and in the adjacent Beira. It is a cross between Touriga Nacinal and Touriga Franca and is one of the elite of Portuguese red grape varieties, whose virtues it combines. Synonyms are Marufo, Marufa, Abrun.
  • Mourisco Tinto: Portugal, red grape variety, the berries are of a deep dark colour. It is mainly planted in the Douro region and in the adjacent Beira. It is a cross between Touriga Nacinal and Touriga Franca and is one of the elite of Portuguese red grape varieties, whose virtues it combines. Synonyms are Marufo, Marufa, Abrunhal and Brujidera. 
  • Mourvedre: France, Spain (synonym Mataro, Monastrell), with small, thick-skinned and late-ripening berries. When the harvest volume is low, you will reach your best potential. It ripens late and is rich in tannins. Mouvedre wines require a long maturation period and can be stored for a long time. It is often found in cuvées in the south of the Rhône, in Provence, especially in the famous Bandol it plays the main roles, but also in Languedoc-Roussillon as a component of high-quality organic wines
  • Muscadelle: France, autochthonous white grape variety that is not related to the Muscat vine. It is used in many sweet wines, but also in dry wines in Bordeaux and Bergerac.
  • Muscat Petit Grain: France. Muscat Petit Grain is a white grape variety whose grapes taste great. White wines give you a floral bouquet of roses and exotic scents and aromas.
  • Nebbiolo: Italy, Piedmont. High-quality grape variety with small berries, small berries, ripens late. The famous Piedmontese wines Barolo and Barbaresco are produced from it. Wines made from this grape variety are also offered as slightly cheaper Nebbiolo Langhe DOCG.
  • Negroamaro: Italy - Apulia. Red grape variety grown exclusively in Puglia. Her name has the origin in 2 languages: Niger (Latin) and mavros (Ancient Greek) and means black. The shape of the grape is elongated, its small berries hang at a greater distance from each other on the grape. Depending on the amount harvested, it produces more or less aromatic wines.
  • Nero d'Avola: Italy - Sicily. Red grape variety that is cultivated almost exclusively in Sicily. Nero d'Avola produces deep dark wines that have enough body, tannin and acidity to be aged in barriques. Nero d'Avola wines are also often blended with other grape varieties and it is the main component of Salaparuta wines.
  • Osoleta: Italy, little-known red grape variety, is cultivated by the La Cappuccina winery in Veneto and used for the Campo Buri wine.< /li>
  • Palomino fino: the most important white variety for sherry production in Andalusia, as at Bodega Gabriel Gomez
  • Parrellada: Spain, Penedes, noble white wine variety from which noble, fine wines and cava are produced.
  • Pedro Jiminez: Spain, Andalusia, important grape variety for the production of Sierra Morena
  • Petite Syrah: France and other Mediterranean wine-growing countries. Not related to the Syrah, but also of high quality. Produces intensely fruity, spicy wines with a deep red colour, clear tannins and aromas of black pepper, black currant, plum and orange.
  • Piccardin: France, one of 13 grape varieties authorized for Châteauneuf du Pape.
  • Pinot Grigio: Italy ( synonym Pinot Gris, Grauburgunder ) in Veneto, in Lombardy, see La Cappuccina Pinot Grigio.
  • Pinot Gris: France specifically in Alsace.
  • Pinot Meunier: France, Champagne, synonym Schwarzriesling, red grape variety, delicate, soft, mild, traditionally an important component of champagne in the east Part of Champagne.
  • Pinot Noir: France, Alsace, Burgundy, in Italy Pinot Nero, in Germany. Noble grape variety that thrives well in cooler climates, but thrives better there on south-facing slopes because of its susceptibility to fungal diseases. Roundish - oval, medium-sized, dark blue-purple-blue berries with a thin skin. Under ideal conditions, it produces bright red, warm, full-bodied and elegant wines, otherwise high acidity dominates.
  • Primitivo: Italy - Apulia. Autochthonous red grape variety that can produce powerful, soft, but also wines with good structure. Their name probably came about over time from "prime" and "uve", the Italian words for "first, first" and "grape", i.e. for the grapes that ripen first in autumn.
  • Rabo de Ovelha: (translated: sheep's tail because of its elongated, hanging shape) White grape variety that is cultivated in all regions of Portugal. It produces wines with sufficient alcohol and a rich spectrum of aromas such as fresh grass, orange blossom, acacia.
  • Refosco dal Peduncolo: is a red grape variety native to Friuli and east Veneto. Wines from it have an intense ruby red color with violet tones, fruity-spicy taste. See Refosco dal Peduncolo by Azienda La Baratta.
  • Regent: relatively young red wine vine with good resistance to powdery mildew and botrytis. It produces dark-colored, fruity red wines with some tannin.
  • Riesling: Germany, Alsace, late maturing, acidic, fine aromas. No year is like the other.
  • Role: France, synonym in Italy Vermentino, white grape variety whose berry skins have a light blue or  take on a light gray color. It produces delicate, elegant white wines such as the Garrigues white from the Domaine de la Vallongue, the Béatines white "Les Béates white.
  • Rondinella: Italy, Veneto. Red grape variety that is part of many Valpolicella wines and also produces excellent Recioto wines.
  • Rousanne: France, Rhône, Provence, one of 13 white grape varieties approved for Chateauneuf du Pape, the varietal, strong and storable white wines and because of this property is also often used for cuvée's - see Château La Dorgonne, Château La Canorgue, Château Romanin Alpilles.
  • Rufete: Portugal. A red grape variety that is predominantly grown in the Beira Interior wine-growing region, in the Douro Valley and Dao region. It makes high demands in the vineyard and is sensitive to powdery mildew and downy mildew. Ideally, when it is well matured, it produces aromatic, full-bodied and fruity wines that can be stored - see Quinta da Caldeirinha.
  • Samtrot: Germany, Württemberg. Originated as a mutation from the black Riesling. Requires deep soils and produces only small yields.
  • Sangiovese: Italy, especially in Tuscany. The most important variety for Chianti, large bunches of grapes with small berries, ripens late, medium to deep red, should only be picked when ripe, so that the tannins are ripe and round and the acidity is not too high. Spicy, fruity, with notes of violets and roses, see Tenuta San Vito, Casina di Cornia, Torre alle Tolfe.
  • Schwarzriesling: Germany, Württemberg, (synonym Pinot Meunier in France, Champagne) belonging to the Burgundy family. Delicate, aromatic and fruity.
  • Siria: Portugal. This white grape variety with small bunches and berries is grown in a narrow strip from north along the border with Spain to southern Portugal. It is a very aromatic variety with notes of citrus, peach, melon. It thrives better in the Beira Highlands than anywhere else. Single variety Siria wines tend to oxidize and should therefore be drunk young.
  • Sousão: an old red grape variety native to northern Portugal that produces wines of a deep dark colour.
  • Sumoll: red variety produces fruity wines with pronouced acidity in Penedes. Mainly used for Cuvées.
  • Syrah: Languedoc Roussillon, Rhône, Provence, Spain, Italy, Portugal, (Shiraz overseas) very noble grape variety that a hot, dry climate is required and then results in very fruity, intensely colored wines with a good tannin structure.
  • Tempranillo: Spain (synonyms: Cencibel, Tinto del Pays, strong colour, balanced acidity and fruity aroma. (will also called the velvet one), see Dominio de Verderrubi Pita.
  • Terret Noir: France, one of 13 red grape varieties approved for Châteauneuf du Pape wines.
  • Tibouren: Tibouren is a red grape variety that is part of many rosé wines in Provence. In Liguria the same variety is called Rosesse.Tinta Baroca: is an important red grape variety in Portugal. it delivers powerful and dark red wines
  • Tinta de Toro: Spain in the DO Toro, high quality grape variety. There is disagreement as to whether it is related to Tempranillo or an independent variety.
  • Touriga Franca: Portugal. This red variety is very popular in the Douro wine-growing region because it gives the wines a lot of colour, a strong body, sufficient fruit (blackberries) but also floral notes (roses, cistus), as well as firm, velvety tannins that give the wines structure .
  • Touriga Nacional: is undisputedly Portugal's highest quality red grape variety with a thick berry skin. It produces storable wines with a strong colour, beautiful tannins, wonderful aromas of currants, raspberries and spicy notes see Quinta da Caldeirinha.
  • Traminer: named after the South Tyrolean town of Tramin. White variety that has a high sugar content, low acidity, fruity, spicy and mild when the weather is good.
  • Trebbiano Modenese: the name already suggests where this white grape variety comes from. There, in the region of Modena and Bologna, pleasing white wines as well as Aceto Balsamico are produced from it, such as at the Fattoria degli Orsi.
  • Trincadeira: an indigenous Portuguese red grape variety that produces colorful organic wines in the Alentejo and Douro areas, with moderate alcohol content and good acidity, lively Fruit aromas of raspberry with peppery, spicy and floral notes. Excellent wines come from Herdade dos Outeiros Altos and Courelas da Torre.
  • Uva di Troia: Italy - Puglia - Campania. Red, late-ripening variety, produces deep ruby red wines. Their origin is not clearly clarified. It could have been introduced by the Greeks from Troy, but it is also possible that it was named after the town of Troia in Puglia. 
  • Verdejo: Spain, especially in the Rueda wine-growing region, has been cultivated very successfully for several decades. With modern winemaking in the absence of oxygen, it produces very fruity and spicy wines like those from the Dominio de Verderrubi Pita winery.
  • Vermentino: Sardinia, Cinque Terre (synonym role in Provence). White grape variety whose berry skins take on a light blue or light gray color at different stages of ripening. Produces delicate, elegant white wines.
  • Pinot Blanc: (synonym Pinot Blanc), popular white variety in Baden, in the Palatinate, Rheinhessen and on the Nahe .
  • Viognier: Viognier is a white grape variety that has its origins in the Rhône and produces very fruity, fresh and harmonious wines there. two particularly interesting Viognier wines come from the Domaine Julien de l'Embisque and from the Château La Canorgue.
  • Viura: Synonym: Macabeo, Macabeu, Spain, Rioja, Catalonia, white variety, widespread in northern Spain, ripens late , brings fruity-flowery wines and is not susceptible to oxidation.
  • Zweigelt: Austria's highest-quality grape variety, is cultivated there in all wine-growing regions and, with reduced yields, produces high-quality and storable red wines with fruity aromas and soft tannin.
  • Xarel.lo: Spain, white grape variety grown in Penedes, Alella and Mallorca. It produces robust wines that oxidize little.