Wine Education

Grape Varietals

From bold Cabernet Sauvignon to aromatic Gewürztraminer, explore the unique characteristics, flavour profiles, and food pairings of the world's most celebrated grape varieties.

red

Agiorgitiko

Greece's noble red

Agiorgitiko (St. George) is Greece's most planted red grape, producing soft, fruit-forward wines in Nemea. At its best, it offers Pinot-like elegance with Mediterranean warmth.

Red cherrySoft tannins

white

Albariño is the star of Spain's Rías Baixas, producing aromatic whites with peachy fruit, saline minerality, and bracing acidity. Its affinity for seafood has made it a favorite of sommeliers worldwide.

PeachCrisp acidity

white

Assyrtiko

Santorini's volcanic star

Assyrtiko thrives in the volcanic soils of Santorini, producing intensely mineral whites with citrus and saline notes. Its ability to retain acidity in hot climates has made it one of Greece's most exciting exports.

LemonHigh acidity

red

Blaufränkisch

Central Europe's noble red

Blaufränkisch (Lemberger in Germany, Kékfrankos in Hungary) produces deeply colored, structured reds with dark fruit and spice. It's the finest red grape of Central Europe, capable of world-class wines.

BlackberryFirm tannins

red

Cabernet Franc

Elegant parent of Cabernet

Cabernet Franc is a parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon, producing lighter, more aromatic wines with distinctive violet and graphite notes. In the Loire, it creates some of France's most elegant cool-climate reds.

RaspberryMedium tannins

red

Cabernet Sauvignon

The king of red grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most planted premium red grape, prized for its structure, intensity, and ability to age. It produces powerful wines with dark fruit, pronounced tannins, and distinctive herbaceous notes.

BlackcurrantFirm tannins

red

Carménère

Chile's signature grape

Once thought lost, Carménère was rediscovered hiding in Chilean Merlot vineyards in 1994. Now Chile's signature grape, it produces medium-bodied wines with distinctive green pepper, spice, and dark fruit notes.

Green pepperSoft tannins

white

Chardonnay

The world's favorite white

Chardonnay is a chameleon, reflecting winemaker choices and terroir more than intrinsic grape character. From lean and mineral Chablis to rich, buttery California bottlings, its versatility has made it the world's most popular premium white grape.

Medium to full body

white

Chenin Blanc

Versatile and age-worthy

Chenin Blanc is incredibly versatile, producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, still to sparkling. High acidity gives it remarkable aging potential, and Loire examples can develop for decades.

QuinceHigh acidity

white

Fetească

Romania's aromatic princess

The Fetească family (Albă, Regală, Neagră) are Romania's signature grapes. Fetească Albă and Regală produce aromatic, elegant whites with floral notes and honeyed richness, while Neagră makes light, fruity reds.

White flowersGentle acidity

white

Furmint

Tokaj's noble treasure

Furmint is the backbone of Tokaj's legendary sweet wines, but it's equally impressive dry. High acidity, complex flavors, and remarkable aging potential make it one of Eastern Europe's most exciting white varieties.

LimeRazor acidity

red

Garnacha / Grenache

Sun-loving, generous, warm

Garnacha thrives in hot, dry climates, producing wines bursting with ripe red fruit and spice. From old-vine gems in Priorat to Southern Rhône blends, it delivers generous warmth and Mediterranean character.

RaspberryMedium tannins

white

Gewürztraminer

Exotic and aromatic

Gewürztraminer is unmistakable—intensely aromatic with rose petal, lychee, and spice notes. Low acidity and rich body make it controversial, but when matched with spicy Asian cuisine or foie gras, it's magical.

LycheeLow acidity

white

Grüner Veltliner

Austria's signature grape

Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most planted grape, producing everything from light, peppery quaffers to profound, age-worthy wines. Its distinctive white pepper spice and versatility with food have made it a sommelier favorite.

White pepperCrisp acidity

red

Kadarka

Hungary's historic red

Kadarka was Hungary's most important red grape before phylloxera, and is now being revived by quality producers. It produces elegantly spicy, medium-bodied wines reminiscent of Pinot Noir but with distinct Pannonian character.

Red cherryLight tannins

red

Malbec

Argentina's flagship grape

While Malbec originated in Cahors, France, it found its true home in Argentina where high altitude and intense sun produce deeply colored, velvety wines with dark fruit and violet notes that have captivated the world.

BlackberryVelvety tannins

red

Merlot

Soft, plummy, approachable

Merlot is cherished for its supple tannins and plush fruit. While it plays second fiddle to Cabernet in Bordeaux blends, on its own it produces velvety, accessible wines that have earned it a massive global following.

PlumSoft tannins

red

Monastrell / Mourvèdre

Dark, meaty, Mediterranean

Monastrell produces deeply colored, powerful wines with earthy, meaty character. In Spain's Jumilla and Yecla, old bush vines on poor soils create concentrated, age-worthy wines of remarkable depth.

BlackberryFirm tannins

red

Nebbiolo

Italy's most noble grape

Nebbiolo produces pale-colored wines of extraordinary power and complexity. High tannins and acidity demand aging, but patience is rewarded with haunting aromas of tar, roses, and dried fruit.

RoseHigh tannins

red

Nero d'Avola

Sicily's noble grape

Nero d'Avola is Sicily's flagship red, producing deeply colored wines with dark fruit, chocolate, and spice. From everyday quaffers to serious age-worthy bottlings, it expresses the Mediterranean sun.

Black cherryMedium tannins

white

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Light and refreshing

Pinot Grigio/Gris is a mutation of Pinot Noir, producing whites ranging from crisp and neutral (Italy) to rich and spicy (Alsace). Its easy-drinking Italian style has made it one of the world's most popular whites.

PearLight body

red

Pinot Noir

The heartbreak grape

Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow but rewards with ethereal elegance when done right. Thin-skinned and sensitive, it produces pale, aromatic wines of haunting complexity that have inspired generations of winemakers.

Red cherrySilky tannins

red

Primitivo / Zinfandel

Bold, jammy, generous

Primitivo in Italy, Zinfandel in California—same grape, different expressions. Both deliver rich, fruit-forward wines with high alcohol and jammy character. Old vines in Puglia and California produce exceptional bottlings.

BlackberryHigh alcohol

white

Riesling

The most noble white grape

Riesling is beloved by sommeliers for its purity, ageability, and incredible range—from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Its laser-like acidity and ability to express terroir make it one of the world's great grapes.

LimeElectric acidity

red

Sangiovese

The soul of Italy

Sangiovese is Italy's most planted grape, defining Chianti, Brunello, and countless other Tuscan wines. Its high acidity and firm tannins make it perfect with food, while its cherry and herbal notes speak of the Italian terroir.

Sour cherryHigh acidity

white

Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp, aromatic, unmistakable

Sauvignon Blanc delivers instant gratification with its vibrant aromatics and zesty acidity. Whether showcasing the flinty minerality of Loire Valley or the tropical intensity of Marlborough, it's always refreshing and food-friendly.

GrapefruitHigh acidity

red

Shiraz / Syrah

Bold, peppery, powerful

Whether called Syrah (France) or Shiraz (Australia), this grape produces deeply colored, intensely flavored wines. From the elegant, peppery Northern Rhône to the rich, jammy Barossa, it expresses place with dramatic flair.

BlackberryFull body

red

Tempranillo

Spain's noble grape

Tempranillo is the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, Spain's two greatest red wine regions. It takes beautifully to oak aging, developing complex leather, tobacco, and vanilla notes while retaining vibrant fruit.

PlumMedium tannins

white

Verdejo

Rueda's herbaceous star

Verdejo is the signature grape of Rueda, producing fresh, aromatic whites with distinctive fennel and citrus notes. Spain's most important native white variety, it offers excellent value and food-friendliness.

FennelMedium acidity

white

Viognier

Perfumed and exotic

Viognier produces richly aromatic wines with exotic stone fruit and floral notes. Once nearly extinct, it's now grown worldwide, though the Northern Rhône's Condrieu remains the benchmark for this sensuous variety.

ApricotFull body

white

Viura / Macabeo

Spain's versatile white

Viura (known as Macabeo in Catalonia) is Spain's most planted white grape, essential for both Rioja whites and Cava sparkling wine. It produces neutral, fresh wines that take well to oak aging.

AppleMedium acidity

red

Zweigelt

Austria's everyday red

Zweigelt is Austria's most planted red grape, created in 1922 by crossing Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It produces approachable, fruit-forward wines with cherry notes and soft tannins—perfect for early drinking.

Sour cherrySoft tannins

Explore by region

Discover wines through the terroir — explore the world's greatest wine-producing regions.

View Regions Browse All Wines

Grape Varietals

Agiorgitiko

Albariño

Assyrtiko

Blaufränkisch

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Carménère

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Fetească

Furmint

Garnacha / Grenache

Gewürztraminer

Grüner Veltliner

Kadarka

Malbec

Merlot

Monastrell / Mourvèdre

Nebbiolo

Nero d'Avola

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Pinot Noir

Primitivo / Zinfandel

Riesling

Sangiovese

Sauvignon Blanc

Shiraz / Syrah

Tempranillo

Verdejo

Viognier

Viura / Macabeo

Zweigelt

Explore by region

Your Cart

Give £5, Get £5

Grape Varietals

Agiorgitiko

Albariño

Assyrtiko

Blaufränkisch

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Carménère

Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Fetească

Furmint

Garnacha / Grenache

Gewürztraminer

Grüner Veltliner

Kadarka

Malbec

Merlot

Monastrell / Mourvèdre

Nebbiolo

Nero d'Avola

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Pinot Noir

Primitivo / Zinfandel

Riesling

Sangiovese

Sauvignon Blanc

Shiraz / Syrah

Tempranillo

Verdejo

Viognier

Viura / Macabeo

Zweigelt

Explore by region

We use cookies