The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20050204230913/http://www.leeners.com:80/winemaking98.html
 
GRAPE VARIETIES

Quality makes all the difference. We sell only the finest quality wine making kits from the worlds leading manufacture Winexpert. There is no reason for us to carry any other brand. Saving 10 to 15 cents per bottle with a lessor brand just doesn't make good wine sense.
  • 10 MISTAKES
  • ABOUT SULFITES
  • FINING AGENTS
  • GRAPE VARIETIES
  • FLOOR CORKERS
  • GLOSSARY
  • Red Wine Grape Varieties
    Alicante  A good blending grape. One of the few red grape varieties that has red pulp as well as a red skin. Makes intense, dark purplish wines that may be rather neutral in flavor and low in acid. Use it to add color to short term wines. 
    Barbera Deep purple grape that often has high acidity. Especially good when young, or when blended. 
    Cabernet Franc  Blending grape (with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) for a traditional red Bordeaux. Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but lighter in color and body, slightly more herbaceous, and lower level of tannin. Hints of raspberries, violets, and pencil shavings. 
    Cabernet Sauvignon Great Cabs have bouquets with traces of cassis, blackberry, cedar , butterscotch, green peppers, chocolate, cocoa, leather, etc. Deep, plummy richness. 
    Carignane Good grapey, juicy fruit. Medium tannin. Blend it with Grenache to make a red table wine. 
    Grenache Cherry in the color, aroma, and flavor. Can make a wonderful rose. 
    Lemberger Deep rich flavors and colors with hints of spiciness and earthiness. 
    Merlot Produces supple and richly colored wines with a nutmeg spiciness and plummy fruitiness. Blends well with Cabernet Sauvignon and is ideal for early drinking. 
    Mission Primarily a blending grape because of its high concentration of sugar, light color , and low acidity. Use it to make a light red wine. 
    Pinot Noir Very tough to describe. An aroma of raspberries or strawberries. ..can be full- bodied but is never heavy like Cabernet. An elegant grape that take a lifetime to make well. 
    Petite Sirah Not related to Syrah or Shiraz. Deep, dark color with jamminess and good acidity.
    Ruby Cabernet Deep-colored and pleasant. Best enjoyed young. 
    Syrah Known as Shiraz in Australia. Deep, dark, opaque, burnt purple color. Aroma that's intensely spicy with overtones of tar, and fresh jam. A flavor that is peppery-rich. 
    Valdepenas Light color, low acid, rather neutral flavor. Blends well with Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon to make a Spanish red. Best drunk young. 
    Zinfandel Deep red-purple color. Warm (can have high sugars), berry-like, jammy-intense, spicy characteristic. 
     
    White Wine Grape Varieties
    Chardonnay A tough flavor to describe. Depending on how it I s made, Chardonnay can have flavors like ripe apples, pineapples, mangoes, pears, peaches, melons, vanilla, butter, caramel, etc. Can be blended with French Columbard, Chenin Blanc, or semillon. 
    French Columbard Fresh lemony fruitiness that is best enjoyed young. It's neutral flavor makes it good for blending. 
    Chenin Blanc Appley-honeyed-floral scent, tart acidity, and good body. Best enjoyed young and fresh. 
    Gewurztraminer Unfor'gettable aroma of flowers and spicy, tropical fruits. May smell sweet but tastes bone-dry. 
    Muscat Light, characteristic honeysuckle aroma and flavor.
    Muscat Cannelli Similar to Johannesburg Riesling but more intensive flavors/aroma (with a hint of flowers). Makes excellent dessert wines...ask our retail staff for fermentation advice. 
    Johannesburg Riesling The soft yet strong nose of peaches, apricots, lemons, and honey. Fresh and delicious young but can develop beautifully with age. 
    Sauvignon Blanc Aroma that is grassy, herbaceous, and citrus. Crisp, bracing flavor of apples, lemons, and grapefruit. 
    Semillon Soft, smooth flavor with some herbal spiciness. A good grape to blend with sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
    copyright 2004 J.R.Leverentz
    winemaking homebrewing cheesemaking