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Syrah
We'd like to clear this up once and for all: the Shiraz grape is genetically identical to Syrah. Australian winemakers put "Shiraz" on the map (and, many would argue, vice versa), and the term is now used throughout much of the New World. Let it never be said, however, that Shiraz and Syrah are the same thing: the region in which the grape is grown determines much about the flavor of the wine it...
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Zinfandel
Zinfandel is widely thought of as “America’s grape,” but in fact the variety is of Croatian origin, and is genetically extremely similar to Italian Primitivo, which thrives in the warmest parts of southern Italy. Like Primitivo, Zinfandel requires warm but not hot growing conditions, as its skins are relatively thin: this can cause its berries to shrivel into raisins if left on the vine a little...
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California
California isn’t just home to big, assertively fruity wines. Cooler regions like Santa Barbara and Edna Valley yield Pinot Noirs in an elegant, Old World style. For Syrah, however, it’s best to look to a warmer climate such as the Dry Creek Valley region. Chardonnays from top California estates can age well for years, and though many producers are making completely unoaked Chardonnays these days,...
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Sangiovese
Italy's most planted grape variety is at the heart of some of the most beloved wines in the country. Grown all over the region, but especially in Central Italy, Sangiovese is the only grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino, and the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, and countless other delicious Italian blends. Sangiovese has shown itself in recent years to be an excellent...
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Cabernet Sauvignon
The result of an illicit affair a hundred-odd years ago between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon today enjoys more worldwide popularity than both of its parents combined. It is the principal grape of Bordeaux, and as such has rightly earned its place among the greatest and most long-lived wines of the Old World; of course, it is also the most heralded grape of California,...
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