In order to select, pair, understand and appreciate wine, it’s ideal to become familiar with the different characteristics each grape varietal has to offer. The characteristics have been defined based on our experience, and from some of the most highly regarded wine reference texts in print. However, what matters most is your enjoyment. If you like bbq steak with a Pinot Grigio we fully support that choice!
Red – Characteristics
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Baco Noir ( BAK-oh NWAR ) Character: Earthy, Plum, Cherry Body: Medium Food: Pizza, BBQ Color: Inky Purple |
Cabernet Franc ( ka-behr-NAY FRAHNK ) Character: dark cherry, violet, tobacco Food: Herb Rubbed Chicken or Pork Color: Garnet |
Cabernet Sauvignon ( ka-behr-NAY soh-vihn-YOHN ) Character (Cool Climate): Cassis, Blackberry, Cedar, Tobacco Character (Warm Climate): Ripe Blackcurrant, Eucalyptus, Plum Body: Full Body Food: Steak, BBQ, Pasta with Red Sauce or Oil, Color: Dark Purple |
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Baco Noir ( BAK-oh NWAR ) Character: Earthy, Plum, Cherry Body: Medium Food: Pizza, BBQ Color: Inky Purple |
Cabernet Franc ( ka-behr-NAY FRAHNK ) Character: Dark Cherry, Tobacco Body: Medium Food: Herb rubbed chicken or pork Color: Garnet |
Cabernet Sauvignon ( ka-behr-NAY soh-vihn-YOHN ) Character (Cool Climate): Cassis, Blackberry, Cedar, Tobacco Character (Warm Climate): Ripe blackcurrant, Eucalyptus, Plum Body: Full Food: Steak, BBQ, Pasta with red sauce or oil Color: Dark purple |
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Gamay ( ga-MAY ) Character: Strawberry, Cherry, Banana Body: Light Food: Roasted vegetables, Blue cheese Color: Pale purple |
Grenache / Gamacha ( GREN-osh ) Character: Black cherry, Raspberry. Spice Body: Medium Food: Grilled sausage, Lamb Color: Brick |
Malbec ( MAL-beck ) Character: Plum, Anise, Earth Body: Medium Food: Grilled meat Color: Deep garnet |
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Merlot ( mur-LO ) Character (Cool Climate): Plum, Vanilla, Cherry Character (Warm Climate): Cherry, Plum, Chocolate, Mint Body: Medium Food: Pasta, Grilled meat, Chicken Color: Ruby |
Pinot Noir ( PEE-no NWAR ) Character: Strawberry, Cherry, Rose, Raspberry Body: Light Food: Cheese, Fish, Vegetables Color: Light garnet |
Sangiovese ( SAN-gee-oh-VAY-SEE ) Character: Sour cherry, Raspberry, Spice, Anise Body: Medium to Full Food: Pasta with red sauce, Pizza Color: Dense purple |
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Syrah / Shiraz ( Cer-rah / SHER-azz ) Character (Cool Climate): Blueberry, Prune, Coffee, Leather, Pepper Character (Warm Climate): Raspberry, Blackberry, Pepper, Chocolate Body: Full Color: Dark purple |
Tempranillo ( temp-PRAH-nil-oh ) Character: Cherry, Plum, Mint Body: Light to Medium Food: Lamb, Duck, Chorizo Color: Light brick |
Zinfandel ( ZIN-fan-DEL ) Character: Raspberry, Cherry, SPice Body: Full Food: Red meat, Firm cheese, Roast chicken |
Red by Weight – Light to Heavy
Beaujolais
Gamay
Pinot Noir
Valpolicella
Sangiovese (Chianti)
Baco Noir
Malbec
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Zinfandel Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
White – Characteristics
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Chardonnay ( CHAR-donn-ay ) Character (Cool Climate): Citrus, Apple, Mineral, Vanilla Character (Warm Climate): Peach, Pineapple, Butter, Vanilla Body: Full Food: Seafood, Shrimp, Roast pork, Chicken Color: Golden |
Gewurztraminer ( geh-VERTS-trah-miner ) Character: Tropical fruit, Lychee, Spice Body: Full Food: Spicy Color: Golden |
Muscat ( mus-KAT ) Character: Honeysuckle, Orange blossom, Musk Body: Medium Food: Fruit desserts Color: Light gold |
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Pinot Grigio / Gris ( PEE-no GREE-gee-oh ) Character: Pear, Melon, Citrus, Mineral Body: Light to Medium Food: Light fish, Salad, Cream sauce Color: Pale straw |
Riesling ( REES-ling ) Character (Cool Climate): Green apple, Citrus, Mineral, Floral Character (Warm Climate): Peach, Honey, Melon Body: Medium Food: Asian, Thai, Turkey Color: Golden straw
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Sauvignon Blanc ( soh-vihn-YOHN BLAHNK ) Character (Cool Climate): Gooseberry, Citrus, Grass Character (Warm Climate): Citrus, Melon, Asparagus, Gooseberry Body: Medium Food: Pork, Shellfish, Goat cheese |
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Viognier ( vee-on-NYAY ) Character: Peach, Apricot, Honey, Floral Body: Light to Medium Food: Scallops, Lobster, Cream sauce Color: Golden |
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White by Weight – Light to Heavy
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscat
Viognier
Pinot Grigio / Gris
Gewurztraminer
Riesling
Chardonnay