Varietal Flavor Guide

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This is a list of popular wine varietals and their usual flavor and aroma characteristics.

CABERNET FRANC:
herbal notes / tobacco

CABERNET SAUVIGNON:
black currants, cassis, cherry, cedar and spice

CHARDONNAY
wide variations; vanilla, tropical fruit, nuts, subtle apples and butter

CHENIN BLANC
muted; orange, pine, bread

GAMAY
Strawberries and raspberries

GEWÜRTZTRAMINER:
lychees, grapefruit rind

GRENACHE:
raspberry

GRÜNER VELTLINER:
citrus, grapefruit with floral aroma

MERLOT:
plums, blueberries and cherries

PINOT GRIGIO
minerals, orange rind, pine

PINOT NOIR:
cherries, raspberries and smoke

RIESLING:
citrus, apricots, peaches and floral

SANGIOVESE:
cherries, raisins, earth and violets

SAUVIGNON BLANC:
cut grass, lemon and herbs

SEMILLON:
figs, lemon and honey

SHIRAZ/SYRAH:
prunes, spices and berries

TEMPRANILLO:
virtually no fruit, leather, spice, raisins

VIOGNIER:
apricots, peaches and wood

ZINFANDEL:
blackberry jam and black pepper

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