Vineyards and Varietals

Vineyards grow a variety of grapes to make wines called varietals. It all makes sense!

Think of a vineyard as a farm or plantation with row upon row of grape-bearing vines. You probably already do. Now think of how the grapes that grow in that vineyard begin to take on some of the characteristics of the land, its conditions, geography and geology. The word used to describe what a vineyard’s land imparts to its wines is “terroir” (Tare-WAHR). And the science and craft of looking after vineyards is called “viticulture”.

While you’re thinking of grapes, remember that there are many varieties of grapes. You’ve probably heard of some and may not have known they were grape names: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. So the term “varietal” simply describes wines that are made from a single kind of grape. In the United States, most wines are identified as varietals, whereas in some countries the appellation comes first. Mr. Mondavi was the first to begin bottling wine by varietal in the United States. A practice which has since become commonplace.

Reds and Whites

If you’re like most, you probably can’t pin down just one favorite wine. From robust and rich reds, to crisp, refreshing whites—there are many to choose from. Check out the wines below to find one that best matches what you’re in the mood for, or scan them all to try something new!

Red Wines

Red wines get their color from grapes with red, purple, and even blue skins and can range in color from bright red to almost black. There are around 50 red wine varietals you’ll commonly find on the market, including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Shiraz, and Sangiovese, among others.
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White Wines

Of course, there’s no such thing as a “white” wine. Instead, this category includes the range of yellow, golden wines that are either made from the grape juice and grape skin of green, gold or yellowish colored grapes or in some cases from just the juice part (not the skin) of red grapes. Among the many popular white wine varietals are: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.
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