So you know you love Bordeaux, but why is it that when you go to Napa, there isn't a Bordeaux grape being served anywhere?  And why, when you go to a French restaurant, can you never find a good French Merlot on the menu?  Out of luck?  Au contraire.

In short, the makers of Old World wine (generally Europe) have a system of naming their wines far different from that used by New World wineries (America, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, to name a few).  By identifying a wine based on its region, wine drinkers of Old World wine are able to predict (more or less) the wine's characteristics.  What to do, though, when you're used to being told what varietal you'll be enjoying?

By simply knowing which grapes grow in which region, you'll know which wine you should order to satisfy your craving for Chardonnay, for example.  That said, since varietals are grown in different regions, styles will vary depending on the region.  But at least you'll know to order a red Burgundy when you have a hankering for a Pinot, and not be shocked and disappointed that you can't find your favorite red on the menu.

Here are a few examples from France to get you started:

In Bordeaux, the classic varietals (which tend to be blended), are:
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
White: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc

In Burgundy you'll find Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (part of the Cotes du Rhone region in France) yields wines made of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and several others.  What's important to remember for Cotes du Rhone is that with these varietals it promises to be a powerful, thick, often spicy wine. 

About Bottlenotes

Article written by Antonia Moran, Contributing Author, Bottlenotes, Inc. Bottlenotes is a personalized sommelier service delivering wine tailored to our members personal tastes using proprietary matching technology. Bottlenotes sources wine exclusively from some of the best boutique and estate wineries from around the world. Each wine that you receive will automatically be tracked in your very own online wine cellar (My Cellar™). There, you'll be able to forever track the label, story, your tasting notes, wine ratings, see what your Bottlenotes Friends thought of the wine, get cheese and general pairing suggestions, and more!  Bottlenotes. The Culture of Wine. Redefined.  Go to www.bottlenotes.com to begin the journey.

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