Grape Varieties

World renowned and very popular, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes produce some of the best wines on their own, or as part of a blend with other grape varieties.

Many varieties emit pleasant fruity aromas, but the success of Cabernet is the subtle nuanced flavors that have the potential to develop and become more pronounced with aging. These nuances and flavors take on different tones depending on the temperature where the grapes are grown.

Cabernet Sauvignon

World renowned and very popular, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes produce some of the best wines on their own, or as part of a blend with other grape varieties.

Merlot

An extremely popular grape variety in wine making, it is characterized by a soft, smooth texture and a fruity taste. This grape can produce delicious varietal wines on its own, as well as combining with other varieties to produce enticing blends.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the most charismatic grape varieties and has created some of the best red wines in the world. It can produce red wines with intoxicating aromas and a dense, fleshy body – or it can result in very elegant and delicate wines.

The color of Pinot noir is bright and shiny, an intense ruby color. This color can pale with time, resulting in a red that leans toward the color often described as brick.

A young Pinot Noir provides a bouquet reminiscent of fresh red fruits such as raspberries and blackcurrant, with spicy notes of cinnamon and pepper. As it ages and the fruitiness develops, more exquisite aromas begin to emerge, evoking the earthiness of mushrooms or truffles, accompanied by what is often referred to as “farmyard” aromas.

On the palate Pinot Noir is most often produced to be a lighter wine with a delicate tannin content, although this grape variety can also produce a more assertive flavor with a stronger tannin.

Syrah / Shiraz

Syrah, or Shiraz as it is called in some countries, is considered to be one of the great noble red varieties because of its ability to produce a dark, full bodied wine suitable for aging.

From this grape variety emerge flavors of black or dark fruits, pepper and mint. In warmer conditions, it develops notes of licorice, coffee and chocolate; however, with aging one will experience the more woodsy aromas of leather, truffles and undergrowth.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is the noblest grape of Spain.

Its thick skin produces a full bodied wine with a deep color and high tannin content. It lends itself well to blending and aging.

Grenache

Grenache thrives best in hot and dry vineyards and matures later than other varieties. It is naturally high in alcohol content and lends itself to the production of both red wines as well as rosés.

Chardonnay

The success of Chardonnay is so striking that it has almost become a brand on its own. This variety has resulted in everything from light, mineral wines to full bodied and buttery ones. In warm climates, Chardonnay is adorned with flavors and aromas of tropical fruits. In cooler climates, winemakers are cultivating this variety to produce wines with a medium to light body and subtle flavor nuances.

Sauvignon Blanc

Aromatic grapes in early maturation, Sauvignon produces a crisp and dry wine which is aromatic and herbaceous in flavor. In cooler climates these wines often have a vegetal or grassy flavor, with noticeable acidity and slight notes of tropical fruit. In warmer climates they evolve to a more fruity aroma where the notes of tropical fruit and gooseberry become more prominent.

Viognier

This grape has a distinctive yellow hue. Viognier produces wines described as sensual, hedonistic and seductive. The aroma and flavor characteristics of Viognier wines include apricot, peach, flower and violet.

Agiorgitiko

The Agiorgitiko is the most cultivated grape in Greece and is capable of producing a variety of wines. From fruity rosés to full-bodied reds these wines age well. Similar to Beaujolais, it is characterized by appetizing flavors and tones reminiscent of cherry and blueberry.

Sangiovese

Sangiovese with its dark skin is the most cultivated grape variety in Italy, synonymous with Tuscan red wines and the romanticism of this region.

A good quality Sangiovese is prized for its acidity, its firm tannins and natural balance. The delicious aromas of black cherry and black stone fruit are characteristic of this grape, with secondary notes of tomato leaves and dried grass. These wines are even more popular when oaked as they develop richer flavors tending to lean toward notes of plum and wild raspberry

Assyrtico

The Assyrtico (also spelled Assyrtiko) is probably the most symbolic grape of Greece. This grape is mineral rich and enjoys a reputation for being versatile.

It produces a variety ranging from dry white wines to rich dessert wines. The dry wine is golden in color with a mineral flavor and aromas of pear, apple and citrus flower. The naturally high acidity of Assyrtico is maintained even as the grape ripens and it is often blended with other varieties to produce distinctive wines.

Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre is a grape with black skin and has been grown in vineyards around the Mediterranean for centuries.

Mourvèdre flourishes in a hot, dry climate and with its thick dark skin, it is ideal for wines distinguished by intense color and a high level of tannins. Further, like its powerful tannins, the fleshy herbaceous aromas of this wine are also very distinctive. These characteristics result in it being a unique blending variety which is indeed a prominent component in certain blends.