Wine Types - we've divided this up into categories to help you

Red Grapes

There are four major red grapes. These are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
Apart from the pinot noir the main three all grow well around the world. The Pinot Noir is found mostly in France around the Burgandy area. It is also the grape used to make champagne.

There are other grapes such as Sangiovese which tends to be grown only in Italy. Tempranillo in Spain.

Cabernet Sauvignon	Deep purple Blackberry bouqet, Jammy flavours Aromas of mint, eucalyptus, cherries, tobacco, chocolate, cedar wood Excellent tannin. Ages well
Merlot	cherry, plum, mint, blackcurrent aromas, also coffee, fruitcake, black pepper Soft tannin Rich fruity flavour
Syrah	pepper, spice, Blackberries, plums, smoke, High tannin Ages well
Pinot Noir	New World - cherries, raspberries and strawberries Burgandy - more complex - chocolate, prunes, game, rotting veg, violets, earthy
Cabernet Franc	related to cabernet sauvignon but less tannin, less acidic, less fullboides but more aromatic Pencil shavings, raspberry, tobacco, grass
Grenache	High alcohol Low tannin Jammy juicy, liquirice, raspberry, smoke, herbs.
Tempranillo	Spain - major component of Rioja Spicy, juicy, strawberry, tobacco Oak ages well - picks up vanilla
Sangiovese	Fruity, soft, Cherry, cold tea, herbs, Grown a lot in Italy.
Pinotage	South African variety Fruit, spice
Zinfandel	red full body, blueberry, blackberry, mixed spice
barbera	Rich currant flavour, Acidic Low in tannin, smokey aromas
Nebbiolo	intense, high acid, tanin and alcohol Prunes, roses, truffle, leather, tar
Gamay	purple colour, juicy jammy, strawberry, bubblegum, banana High acid, low tannin
Malbec	spicy, soft, red berry flavours Low tannin, low acid Blackberry
Mourvedre	blackberry, liquorice, peppery
Carignan	High tannin, high alcohol, intense
Cinsault	spicey, perfumey
Petit Verdot	deep colour and flavour

White grapes

Chardonnay	Huge variety in styles green steely in Chablis Rich buttery in Australia and California Good acid levels, high alcohol, blends well Melon, nuts, Butter, Pineapple, Apple. Vanilla when aged in oak
Sauvignon Blanc	mild to zesty, cut grass, asparagas, gooseberry Dry and sweet when blended
Semillon	Fig, lime, grass, lemon, nectarine, wax, honey, orange, toast deep yellow Dry or sweet (after botryis attack) Ages well in oak Low acid, full both, high alcohol, high aroma
Riesling	dry, honey, sweet, aroma of petrol, peaches, melon, apples, limes, rhubarab, green apple, honey very german!
Chenin Blanc	still or sparkling, sweet or dry also used for fortified wines and spirits Almond, lemon, apple, damp, straw, wet wool, s[picey, beeswax
Gewurztraminer	sweet or dry Aroma of lycees, rose petals or turkish delight
Pinot blanc	light yeast, apple flavours
Pinot gris	Huge variety of style Crisp dry or smokey honeyed
Muscat	Sweet or dry Smells of grapes! V unusual! Also orange blossom smell.
Silvaner	Light,
Aligot	Zesty, dry Soft creamy hints of citrus but often acidic
Viognier	aromatic, intense, peaches, apricots, nutmeg, cream, High in alcohol, low acidity
Muller-Thurgau	fruity Fresh
Colombard	Light fruit, refreshing. Can have a touch of spice. High acid. Flowery puerfume
Rousanne	Spicy, full body wine
Marsanne	brown tinge to wine Full body, heady. Low acid, Apples, pears, glue, nuts, spice, almonds, marzipan High alcohol
Trebbiano	Bland, non descript Used to blend and used as the base for brandy though