The term "Noble Grape" refers to a group of grape varieties that are considered to be of exceptionally high quality and are widely recognized for their distinctive flavor profiles and ability to produce complex, age-worthy wines.
The concept of Noble Grapes was first introduced by the French, who identified a group of grape varieties that were considered to be the best and most prestigious. These grapes were characterized by their ability to produce wines with:
Complex flavor profiles: Noble Grapes are known for their ability to produce wines with complex, nuanced flavor profiles that include a range of fruit, floral, and spice notes.
Age-worthiness: Noble Grapes are capable of producing wines that can age for many years, developing even more complex and refined flavors over time.
Terroir expression: Noble Grapes are often able to express the unique characteristics of their terroir, including the soil, climate, and other environmental factors that shape the flavor and character of the wine.
The list of Noble Grapes can vary depending on the region and the specific criteria used to define them.
Here are the 9 white noble grape varieties, explained in detail
Chardonnay is one of the most popular white grape varieties, known for its buttery, oaky flavors and rich texture. It is a versatile grape that can be used to make a range of wines, from crisp and refreshing to rich and complex.
Origin: Burgundy, France
Flavor Profile: Buttery, oaky, apple, pear
Regions: Burgundy, Champagne, Sonoma, Napa Valley.
Riesling is a white grape variety known for its high acidity and range of sweetness levels. It is a popular grape in Germany and other cool-climate regions, where it is used to make wines that are crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor.
Origin: Germany
Flavor Profile: Green apple, peach, honey, citrus
Regions: Germany, Alsace, Finger Lakes, Clare Valley
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety known for its crisp acidity and flavors of citrus, green apple, and grassy notes. It is a popular grape in the Loire Valley and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are refreshing, zesty, and full of flavor.
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Flavor Profile: Citrus, green apple, grassy, herbaceous
Regions: Loire Valley, Marlborough, Napa Valley, Sonoma
Pinot Gris is a white grape variety known for its rich texture and flavors of pear, apple, and spice. It is a popular grape in Oregon and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are smooth, creamy, and full of flavor.
Origin: France
Flavor Profile: Pear, apple, spice, cream
Regions: Oregon, Alsace, Italy, California
Gewürztraminer is a white grape variety known for its distinctive lychee and rose petal flavors. It is a popular grape in Alsace and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are aromatic, spicy, and full of flavor.
Origin: Alsace, France
Flavor Profile: Lychee, rose petal, spice, ginger
Regions: Alsace, Germany, Italy, California
Chenin Blanc is a white grape variety known for its versatility and range of sweetness levels. It is a popular grape in the Loire Valley and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor.
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Flavor Profile: Honey, apple, pear, citrus
Regions: Loire Valley, South Africa, California, Australia
Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety known for its crisp acidity and flavors of apple, pear, and citrus. It is a popular grape in Alsace and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are smooth, creamy, and full of flavor.
Origin: France
Flavor Profile: Apple, pear, citrus, cream
Regions: Alsace, Italy, Germany, California
Albariño is a white grape variety known for its citrus, stone fruit, and herbal flavors. It is a popular grape in Rías Baixas, Spain, and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor.
Origin: Rías Baixas, Spain
Flavor Profile: Citrus, stone fruit, herbaceous, mineral
Regions: Rías Baixas, Spain, California, Australia.
Viognier is a white grape variety known for its floral, peach, and apricot flavors. It is a popular grape in the Rhone Valley and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are aromatic, spicy, and full of flavor.
Origin: Rhone Valley, France
Flavor Profile: Floral, peach, apricot, spice
Regions: Rhone Valley, California, Australia, Virginia
Here are the 9 red noble grape varieties, explained in detail
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular red grape varieties, known for its bold flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, and spice. It is a versatile grape that can be used to make a range of wines, from full-bodied and complex to smooth and approachable.
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Flavor Profile: Blackcurrant, blackberry, spice, tannins
Regions: Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Tuscany
Merlot is a red grape variety known for its smooth, approachable flavors of plum, blackberry, and chocolate. It is a popular grape in Bordeaux and other regions, where it is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and other varieties.
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Flavor Profile: Plum, blackberry, chocolate, smooth tannins
Regions: Bordeaux, Italy, Napa Valley, Sonoma
Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red grape variety known for its delicate flavors of cherry, raspberry, and earth. It is a popular grape in Burgundy and other cool-climate regions, where it is used to make wines that are elegant, refined, and full of flavor.
Origin: Burgundy, France
Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, earth, acidity
Regions: Burgundy, Oregon, California, New Zealand
Syrah/Shiraz is a full-bodied red grape variety known for its dark fruit flavors, spicy notes, and smooth tannins. It is a popular grape in the Rhone Valley and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are rich, complex, and full of flavor.
Origin: Rhone Valley, France.
Flavor Profile: Dark fruit, spice, pepper, smooth tannins.
Regions: Rhone Valley, Australia, California, South Africa
Malbec is a velvety-smooth red grape variety known for its plum, blackberry, and spice flavors. It is a popular grape in Argentina and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are rich, fruity, and full of flavor.
Origin: Bordeaux, France.
Flavor Profile: Plum, blackberry, spice, smooth tannins.
Regions: Argentina, Bordeaux, California, Chile.
Grenache is a light- to medium-bodied red grape variety known for its strawberry, cherry, and white pepper flavors. It is a popular grape in the Rhone Valley and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are smooth, fruity, and full of flavor.
Origin: Spain
Flavor Profile: Strawberry, cherry, white pepper, acidity.
Regions: Rhone Valley, Spain, Australia, California.
Tempranillo is a medium-bodied red grape variety known for its flavors of cherry, plum, and leather. It is a popular grape in Rioja and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are smooth, elegant, and full of flavor.
Origin: Spain
Flavor Profile: Cherry, plum, leather, tobacco
Regions: Rioja, Spain, Portugal, California
Sangiovese is a medium-bodied red grape variety known for its flavors of cherry, plum, and acidity. It is a popular grape in Tuscany and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are smooth, elegant, and full of flavor.
Origin: Italy
Flavor Profile: Cherry, plum, acidity, moderate tannins
Regions: Tuscany, Italy, California, Argentina
Nebbiolo is a full-bodied red grape variety known for its complex flavors of dark fruit, leather, and spice. It is a popular grape in Piedmont and other regions, where it is used to make wines that are rich, complex, and full of flavor.
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Flavor Profile: Dark fruit, leather, spice, firm tannins
Regions: Piedmont, Italy, California, Australia