Worth knowing about grapes ........

Today, there are countless grape varieties that are used for wine production, and depending on geography, climate, soil conditions and vinification, there are often differences in the taste experience. But the character and quality of the grape will always be consistent.

Most wine regions have "found" their grape and you can therefore often link each single grape to a specific geographical area: As far as Bordeaux is concerned, it is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot; in Burgundy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For the Rhône, Syrah dominates in the north and Grenache in the south. Piedmont is known for Nebbiolo and Barbera and in Tuscany Sangiovese dominates.

For this new world, most of the above-mentioned grapes are produced if the climate allows it. However, Malbech is pervasive in South America, while Australia often uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Grenache.

Below, the common grape varieties are reviewed, as well as you can see our wines for the different grapes.

Albarino

..... is the most widespread green grape in Spain and some of the country's best white wines are produced from 100% Albarino in Galicia, specifically in the area of ​​Rias Baixas, in the northwestern corner of Spain. The fragrance notes are green apples, lime, apricot and peach. The cool and rainy climate near the Atlantic Ocean means that the wines from the Albarino grape have an almost fresh acidity and minerality.

See the wines at Albarino here.

Barbera

A typical Piedmont grape which is among the most planted in Italy and goes by the name "people's grape". Primarily used for Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti and is known for its high acidity, which gives it a ruby ​​red color and aromas of cherries, blackberries and other dark berries.

See the wines at Barbera here.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Along with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape in Bordeaux wines. The grape is rich in tannins, which means that the wines have to be stored for a longer time before they are ready to drink. Cabernet Sauvignon wines therefore often have a storage potential and especially good wines can easily be stored for 20-30 years. The grape has notes of blackcurrant and a high content of fruit acid. Cabernet Sauvignon is not particularly demanding in terms of climate and soil, and the grape is therefore grown virtually everywhere in the world where the sun shines. However, there is a big difference between the wines depending on where they are produced.

See the Cabernet Sauvignon wines here.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the world's most widespread green grape and the main ingredient in virtually all white wines. Nevertheless, there is a big difference between the wines depending on where they are produced, ranging from light to dark in color and from crisp to full-bodied. The grape has notes of lemons, apples, almonds and hazelnuts, and has its origins in Burgundy, but is used today in virtually all white wines. You often hear that "a glass of Chardonnay" is ordered - which tells you a little about how well-known and widespread the grape is.

See the wines on Chardonnay here.

Merlot

As mentioned earlier, Merlot, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, is the main ingredient in Bordeaux wines. The difference is that Merlot wines develop faster and thus give drinkable clear wines faster. Merlot is produced on the right side of the Gironde river and is used in Pomerol and St Emilion wines, which are softer and more round than the production on the left side of the river, where Cabernet Sauvignon is mainly used. The grape has a low tannin content and has aromatic notes of truffle, dark berries and coffee.

See the Merlot wines here.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is the main grape in Barbaresco and Barolo and thus comes from Piedmont and is considered the king of Italian grape varieties. The two wines mentioned above are made 100% with Nebbiolo, otherwise the names must not appear on the bottle. Nebbiolo is considered the king of Italian grape varieties and produces some powerful, complex and durable wines with high acidity. Nebbiolo is also used for other wines in Piedmont, such as Nebbiolo d'Alba which can be considered the little brother of the two big boys. Nebbiolo is derived from nebbia which means fog in Italian and comes from the fact that the fog often hangs low over the vineyards when harvesting.

See the wines at Nebbiolo here.

Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio

Grown above all in Alsace (Pinot Gris or Tokay) and in northwestern Italy (Pinot Grigio). The Alsatian version is often relatively strong with a slightly spicy and smoky touch. In Italy, the wine is relatively lighter, slightly crisper and drier. Tasting notes are green apples, pear and sweet spices. In Germany, the grape is grown under the names Gruaburgunder or Ruländer and is on the sweeter side.

See the Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio wines here.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir wines are often bright and fresh and have a low tannin content. The light color is due to the thin-skinned grapes, which you will never experience in a dark Pinot Noir wine. The fragrance notes are currants, blackcurrants, cherries, violets and licorice. The grape is mainly grown in Burgundy, where all red wines are made exclusively from Pinot Noir. In addition, the grape is also grown to a large extent in California and under the name "Spätburgunder" wines are grown from the Pinot Noir grape in Germany. In Italy, the grape is known as Pinot Nero.

See the Pinot Noir wines here.

Sangiovese

Sangiovese is one of the most widespread grape varieties in Italy. Sangiovese has notes of currants, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, violets, smoke, licorice. Cultivated throughout Italy, especially in Tuscany, where it is primarily used for Brunello and Chianti.

See the Sangiovese wines here.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the two most important grapes in white wine production. The grape has a dry, fresh taste and aromatic notes of elderflower, gooseberry and freshly cut grass. Cultivated in many countries, but especially in the Loire Valley, where it is the main ingredient in e.g. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

See the Sauvignon Blanc wines here.

Syrah/Shiraz

Syrah or Shiraz is grown in many parts of the world and is used in several different wines. In the Rhône, very complex wines are produced; in Australia very heavy and completely black but sweet wines with a lot of fruit; while the softer version of the grape is produced in California. The grape has aromatic notes of, among other things blackberries, blackcurrants and plums, but also bacon and pepper.

See the wines on Syrah/Shiraz here.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo (meaning "early" in Spanish) is one of the most widespread Spanish grapes. The grape is mainly grown in Rioja and Ribera del Duero at an altitude of between 700-900 metres, where the days are warm and the nights correspondingly cooler. A bit in the same way when you are on holiday and the day is spent in shorts and a t-shirt, while in the evening you have to wear a sweater. This change in temperature produces a full-bodied wine with notes of cherry, cinnamon, smoke and chocolate.

See the Tempranillo wines here.

Zinfandel

Wines made from the Zinfandel grape are powerful and full-bodied with a high alcohol percentage. This is because the grape requires heat and sun and a long season for the fruit to ripen. This means that you easily reach 14% alcohol for the fruit to be ripe and come into its own. You often see wines with an alcohol percentage of 16-17% and this obviously requires a decent piece of meat to match this. The taste notes are blackberries, plums and licorice. The grape is mainly grown in California, where the weather conditions are optimal, but you also find wines from Apulia in Italy, where the grape is found under the name Primitivo.

See the wines at Zinfandel here.

Viognier

Viognier is a slightly overlooked green grape compared to the big common Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. In terms of taste, the grape is also between the two big ones, as being a fresh, slightly sweet wine with spicy aromas. In the Nordrhone, some of the finest wines are produced from pure viognier and especially the area around Condrieu produces some of France's most expensive white wines.

We currently have no wines based on Viognier.