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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc 🥂 Photo by The Mighty Quill on Wikimedia Commons Pinot Blanc (pee-noh blahnk) originated centuries ago in Burgundy, France. It is not a separate grape species, but a natural, white-skinned color mutation of the red Pinot Noir grape. In fact, it shares the exact same genetic DNA fingerprint as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. It wasn't until 1895 that grape experts officially identified Pinot Blanc as its own distinct variety. Eventually, Burgundy phased it out in favor of Chardonnay. Today, Pinot Blanc thrives in cool-climate vineyards across Europe and the New World, changing its name and personality depending on where it is grown. For example, in France, it serves as the base for Crémant d'Alsace which is France's most popular non-Champagne sparkling wine. In Germany, it is known locally as Weissburgunder. And, in Italy, it’s called Pinot Bianco. The Pinot Blanc grape produces medium to full-bodied white wines with aromas of green apple, lemon zest, pear with floral notes. On
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Behind the Cork™ - Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee
2019 Zaca Mesa Z Cuvée ($15) Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1973 by John Cushman and five friends, who purchased the property the year prior. As the third winery established in Santa Barbara County, experimentation was an integral part of Zaca Mesa’s early days. Several different varieties were planted to see which grapes would be the best suited to the estate’s unique terroir. After many trials, Zaca Mesa’s first winemaker, Ken Brown, planted Syrah in 1978, establishing Zaca Mesa as the first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County. This block of Syrah remains the oldest Syrah block on the Central Coast and is now known as the Black Bear Block. These grapes were purely estate-grown across unique blocks. Syrah comes from the high, flat tabletop of the Mesa Block (1,400 feet elevation). Grenache is harvested from the sloped, shale-loam soils of the Cushman Block . Old-vine Mourvèdre and Cinsault are selected from the Chapel and Mariposa blocks respectively. Each of the four
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah 🍷 Image Courtesy of Noble Roots Nursery Petite Sirah ( peh-teet-sear-ah ) was created by French botanist Dr. François Durif in the mid-1860s in an attempt to develop a vine resistant to mildew. The grape is also known as Durif in honor of its originator. Unfortunately, the grape was largely discarded in France because its tight clusters were prone to rot in wet weather. The grape was imported to Northern California in 1884. Today, more than 80% of the world’s planting of Petite Sirah are in California. Petite Sirah is not the same as Syrah and is distinct from petit syrah which French growers use to describe small-berried clones of true Syrah. Because the Petite Sirah berry (i.e., grape) is so small, it has a very high skin-to-juice ratio. This results in wines that are opaque with inky black-purple color. Aromas include blueberry, violets, dark chocolate and black tea. Flavors tend toward to black fruit such as blackberry and sugarplum along with cracked black pepper. Be
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Behind the Cork™ - Faustino Rivero Ulecia Reserva
2019 Faustino Rivero Ulecia Reserva ($10.99) Bodegas Faustino Rivero Ulecia is part of a five-generation winemaking family that started back in 1899. The winery was founded in 1899 by Olegario Rivero. It operated locally for decades selling bulk wine. Then, in the 1940s, the winery, known as Bodega Rivero, was passed to the third generation: brothers Amador and Faustino Rivero. Faustino and his brother had the intuition that bottled, branded wine was the future. When the family finally purchased their first bottling machine and officially launched their signature label in the late 1960s, they named the winery in honor of Faustino. The name follows the traditional Iberian naming structure, combining paternal and maternal surnames to preserve family lineage: Faustino - The given first name of the pivotal third-generation winemaker. Rivero - The paternal family surname, and Ulecia - The maternal surname introduced into the family line. To produce this wine, the estate relies on their "sou
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot 🍷 Image by Urlula Brühl on Wikimedia Commons If you’ve ever had a Bordeaux blend, you’ve probably tasted Petit Verdot—even if you didn’t realize it. This bold, dark grape, long known as a blending agent in Bordeaux red wines, is now also a great varietal. Petit Verdot, pronounced “ pah-tee vur-doe, ” is an old grape. In fact, it’s believed to be older than Cabernet Sauvignon in its native region of Bordeaux, France. Its name translates to “little green, ” because it ripens much later than other varieties. It often remained green and unripened on the vine during the cool French autumns. For centuries, winemakers only grew a small amount of it, using just 1% to 2% of the grape to add color, structure, and tannin to their blends. Petit Verdot boasts some of the thickest skins in the wine world, resulting in wines that are deep in color. Aromas associated with Petit Verdot include blackberry, plum, along with floral notes and dried herbs. The flavors of Petit Verdot include b
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Behind the Cork™ - Lisboa Bonita Red Blend
Lisboa Bonita Red Blend ($19) Casa Santos Lima is a multi-generational, family-owned winery that stands as one of Portugal's most prolific and highly decorated wine producers. Based at its primary estate, Quinta da Boavista in Alenquer (just north of Lisbon), it has evolved from a historic family trade into a global powerhouse. The winery was established in the late 19th century by Joaquim Santos Lima, who was already a prominent producer and exporter of Portuguese wine to the UK and Brazil. In 1990, his great-grandson, José Luís Santos Lima Oliveira da Silva, left a successful career in banking and finance to take over the family estate. This Lisboa Bonita red blend is produced from Castelão (25%), Caladoc (25%), Tinta Roriz (20%), Alicante Bouschet (15%), and Touriga Franca (15%) grapes. It is a beautiful deep purple color with nice dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has lots of dark fruit flavors such as plum, blackberry, and blueberry, while the oak aging infus
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo 🍷 Photo by Hanna on Wikimedia Commons Nebbiolo ( neb-ee-oh-low ) is one of Italy’s top red wine grapes, most famous for its role in the Piedmont ( pyeh-MON-teh ) region. Nebbiolo is ancient royalty. The first written record of the grape dates all the way back to 1268 in a document from the Rivoli region of Piedmont. It has been beloved by Italian nobility, popes, and kings for over 700 years. The name Nebbiolo comes from "nebbia," the Italian word for fog. This may come from the late October harvest, when it is typical for a thick fog to roll through the valleys and blanket the Piedmont hillsides. Or, just as likely, it refers to the fact that the grapes develop a milky, fog-like white powder (called bloom) over their dark skins as they mature. While Nebbiolo is the grape, you’ll also see wines produced from this grape labeled as “Barolo” and “Barbaresco.” These are specific Italian regions that are legally required to use 100% Nebbiolo grapes. In the glass, wines made from N
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Behind the Cork™ - Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris
2023 Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris ($16) The Vitis Ridge winery was originally founded and operates as an equal four-way partnership between two couples: Chris and Sharon Deckelmann, and Bruce and Sally Eich.. What started as a hobby in the garage over 20 years ago has evolved into one of the North Willamette Valley's most popular wineries. Established in 2005, Vitis Ridge is producing about 3,000 cases annually. They focus on unique wines and specialty blends and are currently offering 30 varietals. Their Estate vineyards are comprised of nearly 150 acres and include Pinot Noir, Maréchal Foch, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Muscat. They also bring in grapes from vineyards throughout the Northwest to provide a broader range of offerings and interesting terrior differences. This Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris is sourced from their estate vineyards located in Silverton, Oregon. It was processed entirely in stainless steel tanks. It is a beautiful medium salmon color t
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Mourvedre
Mourvèdre & Monastrell🍷 Photo by Pancrat on Wikimedia Commons Mourvèdre is a thick-skinned, late-ripening red wine grape native to Spain, where it is known as Monastrell. Though it originated on the Iberian Peninsula, it has also found a famous secondary home along France’s Mediterranean coast and Southern Rhône Valley. In Spain, Monastrell is frequently bottled as a single-varietal wine. In France, however, Mourvèdre (moohr-VED-ruh) is rarely bottled alone; instead, it is blended with Grenache and Syrah to create famous GSM wines. Monastrell (moh-nah-STRELL) wines from Spain’s hot, intensely arid, and semi-desert environments are very fruit-forward, smooth, and tend to be high in alcohol. Aromas include blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice, and smoke. GSM blends from France incorporate Mourvèdre to add structure and deep color to Grenache and Syrah. These full-bodied wines have medium acidity and medium-to-high tannins. This blend yields a complex mix of red fruit flavors (like ripe
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Behind the Cork™ - Alta Vista Brut Rose
Alta Vista Brut Rosé ($18.99) Alta Vista was founded by Count Patrick d’Aulan, heir of more than 250 years of winemaking tradition. With an enterprising spirit, he arrived in Argentina in the 1990s looking for the best regions of Los Andes. The winery is located in Chacras de Coria, Mendoza. Having been built in 1890, it is a local heritage site of Mendoza. Count Patrick d’Aulan and his family, former owners of Piper Heidsieck, one of the oldest Champagne Houses, developed the project and started the restoration. This Alta Vista Brut Rosé is produced from Malbec (50%) & Pinot Noir (50%) that was sourced from the Albaneve estate vineyard. Using the Charmat method, the second fermentation took place in a pressurized tank. This Brut Rosé is pale salmon in color with aromas of cherry, strawberry and floral notes. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has citrus notes, bright refreshing acidity and medium bubbles. While being on the sweeter end of the “Brut” range, the citrus and acidity co
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Montepulciano
Montepulciano 🍷 Photo by Ra Boe on Wikimedia Commons Montepulciano (mon-tay-pull-chee-anno") is an Italian grape, mostly found in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Although the Montepulciano grape shares its name with the Montepulciano region in Italy, the grape is from the Abruzzo region while the Montepulciano region is known for the Sangiovese grape. Are you still with me? The modern era for the grape truly began in 1968 with the official creation of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC . Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a very dark skinned grape. In fact, its skin is so rich in color pigments, the juice is instantly an opaque purple upon crushing whereas most red wines get their color from long soaking periods with the juice in contact with the skins (i.e., maceration). Wines produced from the Montepulciano grape can have two styles. The medium-bodied wine is the standard. Everyday versions are aged in stainless steel. The full-bodied style is achieved through longer maceration periods and aging
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Behind the Cork™ - Bouvet Rose Excellence Brut Sparkling Wine
Bouvet Excellence Brut Rosé NV ($19.99) Since 1851, Bouvet Ladubay, in the Loire Valley, has been one of France’s greatest producers of méthode traditionnelle (naturally fermented in the bottle) sparkling wine. Founded in 1851 by Etienne Bouvet and his wife Célestine Ladubay, Bouvet Ladubay is the second oldest sparkling wine-producing house in Saumur. By 1890, it had become France’s largest producer of Méthode Traditionnelle wines. Today, they are run by the fourth generation of the Monmousseau family, producing close to 7 million bottles of wine. This Bouvet Excellence Brut Rosé is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc, sourced from about 80 growers around Saumur and the Loire Valley area, a classic grape of the region. The grapes undergo a quick maceration on the skins followed by production in the méthode traditionnelle, this sparkling rosé is aged in the bottle on lees for 9 to 24 months. Bouvet Excellence Brut Rosé is a beautiful light salmon color with very delicate aromas. On the p
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Merlot
Merlot 🍷 Photo by Ursula Brühl on Wikimedia Commons Merlot ( murr-low ) originated from the Bordeaux region of France. Its name is derived from merle , the French word for blackbird, likely due to the grape's deep color. Modern DNA profiling proves Merlot is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and the rare, ancient Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. It was first officially recorded in Bordeaux in 1784 under the local name Merlau . Although Merlot is grown across the world, it remains the most widely planted wine grape in all of France. Originally considered a secondary grape, it gained massive importance on Bordeaux's Left Bank where it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. On the Right Bank it is the dominate grape with Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon being a more minor blending partner (5-30%). Wines produced from the Merlot grape are medium to full-bodied red wines that tend to have lower acidity and softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvi
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Behind the Cork™ - Chateau dAqueria Tavel Rose
2025 Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé ($25) Château d’Aqueria is the largest estate of Tavel. It has been making wines in Tavel since the end of the 16th century. While Tavel is a specific wine region in France, the region only makes one highly distinct style of wine. So, the name "Tavel" is also used to refer to the type of wine itself. Tavel was the first appellation created in France (1936). Unlike the ultra-pale, light rosés, Tavel wines undergo a longer grape-skin maceration (often 12 to 72 hours). This gives them a dark pink or ruby hue, higher tannins, and rich, spicy, berry flavors. It is often referred to as a "rosé for red wine drinkers.” This Château d’Aqueria Tavel is made from grapes that are handpicked from Château d’Aqueria’s own vineyards. They are then destemmed, followed by a maceration to extract color. The varieties, Grenache (50%), Syrah (20%), Clairette (10%), Mourvèdre (10%), Cinsault (5%), and Bourboulenc (5%) are blended two by two to enhance aromatic complexity. T
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Marsanne
Marsanne 🟡 Photo by Marianne Casamance on Wikimedia Commons Marsanne ( mar-shon ) is a white wine grape from France that has its origins in the Northern Rhône Valley. The grape's cultivation was first recorded in the 16th century. It was formally documented as a distinct varietal in 1781, establishing its status in Rhône winemaking. During the Middle Ages, local monasteries kept the grape alive using it primarily as a blending component long before it was bottled as a single varietal. By the 17th and 18th centuries, White Hermitage (made mostly of Marsanne) was globally famous. U.S. wine connoisseur Thomas Jefferson famously declared it "the first white wine in the world without a single exception." In the late 1860s, Marsanne was exported to Victoria, Australia. Because Europe's vineyards were later devastated by the Phylloxera pest, Australia's now houses the world's oldest living Marsanne vines which were planted in 1927. The grape did not reach California until the 1980s. While Ma
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Behind the Cork™ - Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rose
2025 Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rosé ($22.99) The first deed attesting to the existence of Château La Nerthe was signed on November 25, 1590, with its acquisition by the Tulle de Villefranche family. It was then a country house known as the Grange de Beauvenir. Marquis Jean-Dominique Tulle de Villefranche (1711-1760) completed making it one of the flagship estates of the Rhône Valley in France by launching the castle's construction on the foundations of the medieval cellar. They innovated in the vineyard and the wine cellar, for example, shipping bottled wines starting in 1776. Produced in Tavel, the heart of the Rhône Valley’s rosé production, this Côtes du Rhône rosé is crafted from 30+ year old vines of Grenache Noir/Blanc/Gris (60%), Cinsault (30%), and Syrah (10%). The grapes are handpicked and directly sorted when arriving in the cellar. Direct pressing took place in a pneumatic press over a 3 hour period. It was then fermented in temperature controlled tanks at low temperat
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Malbec
Malbec 🍷 Image from Lapastoure Didier on Wikimedia Commons Malbec's roots trace back to southwestern France, where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. In the rugged Cahors region, it goes by many names — Côt, Auxerrois, or Pressac — and produces famously dark, tannic wines that the locals call "black wine." Malbec's thick skin is so loaded with anthocyanins (color pigments) that it was historically used as a natural ink and fabric dye in France. It remains one of the six permitted grapes in Bordeaux blends, adding color and structure to the mix. While Cahors championed Malbec, the grape remained a minor player in Bordeaux and never gained broader recognition across France. The brutal frost of 1956 wiped out much of the Cahors vineyards due to the grape's vulnerability to the cold, damp European climate. It was fading into obscurity — until Argentina changed everything. In 1853, a French agricultural engineer named Michel Pouget took Malbec cuttings to Mendoza, Argentina.
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Behind the Cork™ - Montes Cherub Rose Wine
2025 Montes Cherub Rosé ($16.99) The sun is finally shining, and there’s a hint of spring in the air. The season brings a fresh, vibrant energy that makes the world feel alive again. With warmer breezes, longer days thanks to daylight saving time, and the first flowers beginning to bloom, it’s the perfect moment to welcome a bright new season. Springtime means rosé season is officially in bloom. Who doesn’t want a fresh, fruity, and crisp glass of rosé while soaking in the sun on a patio? Pink wine is truly springtime in a glass. It is also a perfect complement to leisurely brunch celebrations and holidays like Mother’s Day. Pacific-cooled Syrah (85%) and Grenache (15%) from Montes’ coastal Marchigüe estate in the Colchagua Valley (Chile) come together in this refreshing rosé. Montes Cherub is a beautiful medium salmon color with delicate aromas of strawberry and candied cherry. On the palate, this light-bodied rosé has really nice red fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry. The acidity
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gruner Veltliner
Gruner Veltliner Image by Rosenzweig on Wikimedia Commons Grüner Veltliner ( grew-ner felt-lee-ner ) is a white wine grape that is prodomanatly grown in Austria, accounting for more than a third of the country’s total vineyard area with Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic being the other significant growers. Often just referred to as “Grüner,” this wine is typically low in body, tannin and sweetness but high in acidity. But, being a very versatile grape, it can also produce wines that are rich and full-bodied. Key flavors of wines produced from Grüner Veltliner grapes includes lime, lemon and grapefruit. But, most famously, it has spicy, herbal notes of white pepper, radish and lentils. Bet you haven’t had a wine with notes of lentil before! Grüner Veltliner is one of the few white wines that can be incredibly age-worthy, though its longevity depends heavily on the style. Everyday versions are meant for early consumption while high-quality productions can age for 10 to 30 years or
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Behind the Cork™ - Easton Zinfandel
2016 Easton Zinfandel ($18) Easton Wines was founded in the late 80s by husband and wife team Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Bill puts his family name, EASTON, on their non-Rhône varietal wines. The wines are crafted from varietals that have traditionally worked the best in Amador County and the Sierra Foothills. This wine was produced from 100% Zinfandel vines grown in Amador County that are from 20-80 years old. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and was aged for 11 months in 10% new French oak barrels. Easton’s Zinfandel style typically emphasizes acidity and spice over "jamminess." This wine has been described as having aromas of blackberry, raspberry and black pepper. Unfortunately, although this 2016 vintage bottle has been stored in a wine refrigerator in a darkened room, it showed some definite garnet color and muted fruit flavors - signs of premature oxidation. It seems that this bottle moved past its "secondary" stage of aging and went straight into "tertiary" phase (d
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Grenache
Grenache 🍷 Photo by Josh McFadden on Wikimedia Commons Grenache ( grenn-nosh ) is also known as Garnacha in Spain. More than 90% of Grenache is grown in either France or Spain, with Italy and the U.S. making up much smaller fractions. Grenache is used in the French Rhone GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah & Mouvedre) and in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is said that in the 17th and 18th centuries, before strict French wine laws (AOC) existed, Burgundian merchants often illegally blended high-alcohol Grenache from the Rhône into their Pinot Noir to give it more "body" and color. Wines made from the Grenache grape are medium to medium-high in body with medium-low tannin and acidity. Typical notes include red fruits such as strawberry, raspberry and cherry with some spice notes such as white pepper, cinnamon and anise. Oak aging can impart leather, tar and tabacco leaf flavors. Despite its low acidity, Grenache wines can age 3-5 years with the premium Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines being age worthy from 1
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Behind the Cork™ - Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Mountain Cuvee
2019 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Mountain Cuvée ($18) For six generations and over 160 years, the Bundschu family has farmed the Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations. Mountain Cuvée honors the Bordeaux blends of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Gundlach Bundschu sources it grapes from vineyards up against the Mayacamas Mountain range. For the Merlot, they seek grapes that ripen well and have an expressive personality and consistency. Then they look for the Cabernet Sauvignon to provide a darkness to the wine. They source the fruit from only two growers within 2 miles of their estate to create the Cuvée, or blend. During the winemaking process, they blend vineyard blocks together, evaluate and then create an appropriate oak-aging program, averaging 14 months in duration, primarily in French oak. This Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée is deep purple in color with soft aromas of deep black fruit, herbal hints and a touch of cara
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A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gewurztraminer
Gewürztraminer Photo by Rolf Kranz on Wikimedia Commons Gewürztraminer ( guh-VURZT-tra-mee-ner ) has been around for centuries in Europe and prized for its wines with intense floral aromas. Its name is derived from the German word "Gewürz," meaning "spice" or "perfumed," reflecting its bold fragrance. And, the grape is a mutation of the ancient Traminer (Savagnin Blanc) variety. Today, Gewürztraminer is grown throughout the world with Argentina and Moldova being the largest producers followed by Italy, U.S., Ukraine and Australia. While Gewürztraminer grapes produce white wine, the grapes have distinctive pink to reddish skins. This often gives the wine a golden-copper color compared to other whites. Gewürztraminer wines tend to be medium to low in body, low in acidity, but have a higher level of perceived sweetness even when all the sugar has been converted to alcohol through fermentation. Aromas sometimes attributed to Gewürztraminer include soap, potpourri, or cheap perfume because
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Behind the Cork™ - Paso D'Oro Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) Paso D'Oro is a winery venture by the Terlato Wine Group that focuses on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the Paso Robles region in California. The name translates to "Way of Gold," paying tribute to the golden California sunshine and the "golden path" taken by the winemaker's family. The wines are crafted by Laura Orozco, who was appointed as the winemaker for this venture in 2022 after her successful tenure at Napa's Chimney Rock. The grapes for this wine are from four different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Paso Robles including the Estrella District, San Juan Creek District, Geneseo District and the Highlands District. Each block has a different elevation, soil type, row direction, clone and rootstock. Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Alicante Bouschet. Each individual vineyard block was fermented individually using several different yeast strains. It was aged 8 mo