Red Wines
Bordeaux – A French red wine including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes.
Burgundy – A French wine made from Pinot Noir grapes.
Cabernet Franc – An elegant purplish red wine that is most often seen blended with other reds.
Cabernet Sauvignon – This is a robust, big red wine with a strong character and tannins.
Grenache – A Spanish wine that is spicy and full.
Malbec – Argentina’s flagship red wine which is rapidly increasing in popularity.
Merlot – A popular red wine with fruitiness and softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Petite Sirah – A dry red wine of spicy fruitiness made from a grape grown chiefly in California.
Pinot Noir – This is a lighter, dry red wine with berry overtones.
Syrah or Shiraz – Firm tannins, a medium to full body, and the rich round flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat.
Zinfandel – A classic American wine that is harvested and fermented predominantly in California. It pairs well with most traditional “American” dinner fare.
White Wines
Chardonnay – One of the world’s most popular types of wine, Chardonnay is a fruity, often oaky, and usually dry white wine.
Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris – A dry white wine that is produced in Italy.
Riesling – Often considered by wine lovers as a truly top tier wine. Riesling is made in many different styles from light, dry whites to sweet dessert wines. Some of the best examples come from Germany.
Sauvignon Blanc or Fume Blanc – A clean, crisp, usually quite dry white wine. Sweet versions are also available.
Semillon – A white wine typically seen from Australia or France (white Bordeaux wines) in either dry or sweet versions.
Sweet White Wine
Viognier – The most acclaimed white wine grape from France’s Rhône Valley. Viognier is a highly aromatic varietal, with a flavor profile that could include peach, apricot, nectarine, lichee, musk and flower blossom.
White Bordeaux – A French wine made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.