The Grapes Behind the Names

by Andrew Barrow, Posted Jan 30th 2006 @ 6:45PM

Unlike the bottles emanating from the New World - America, Australia, South Africa and the like - those from Europe, the Old World, rarely proclaim the grape variety on the label. There are exceptions of course. The wines from the great southern swathe of vineyards covering the Languedoc area of France often have the grape variety emblazoned on the front label. Or if not, you should find it on the back. But how do you know what is in the bottle from the other regions? You just have to learn and remember. A quick generalized introductory guide to the main regions and famous sub-regions in France -

Burgundy - white wines are Chardonnay, red wines are Pinot Noir.
Chablis - only white and only Chardonnay (a sub-region of Burgundy)
Bordeaux - usually blends with the whites from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle while the reds are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Beaujolais - reds are from Gamay
St. Emilion - a famous Bordeaux region. Reds from Merlot generally
Loire - whites are either from Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet. Reds are from Cabernet Franc or Gamay
Sancerre - perhaps the most famous region of the Loire - white wines mainly, from Sauvignon Blanc
Rhone - for reds, the north is Syrah territory (Shiraz); the south is more Cinsault, Mourvedre.
Chateauneurf du Pape - one of the more famous sub-regions of the Rhone. A red wine with 13 different varieties permitted, some of which are white!
Alsace - reds are from Pinot Noir while the whites can be made from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Riesling.