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6 unique characteristics of wine grapes in California

Today, the US is one of the largest wine producers in the world. California undoubtedly plays a key role in the American wine industry — the winemakers in this state create 90% of all wines produced in the country.

If you happen to be in California, be sure to visit its incredible wine regions. It may sound surprising, but the vineyards and wineries in California are second only to Disneyland in popularity among tourists!

This article will guide you through the key California wine regions and discover what makes them special. Then, we’ll share several fun facts about the most popular California wine grapes and wines you probably didn’t know.

Let’s begin our wine journey!

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Top California wine areas

The territory of California consists of four large regions — the North Coast, the Central Coast, the Central Valley, and the South Coast. Each of them has notable wine-growing areas called American Viticultural Areas or AVAs.

Let’s examine the most important AVAs in each California wine region and outline their specialty.

The North Coast

The North Coast lies north of San Francisco, a few hundred meters above sea level, and hosts over 50% of the state’s wineries. Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Mendocino are Northern California’s most famous wine regions.

Napa Valley

Often referred to as the US wine Mecca, Napa Valley is the rockstar in the California wine industry. Napa Valley has favorable natural conditions for winemaking, which is why local wines have brought California worldwide fame. Surrounded by mountains on two sides and 30 miles long, this wine county has over 30 types of soils of various origins. Napa’s climate is temperate, with hot days and cold nights.

Napa’s primary grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which occupies about 45% of the vineyards here. Along with Napa Cabernet, this California wine region is also notable for its reds like Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel and whites like Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Sonoma County

Like Napa Valley, Sonoma County is a large wine region with a diverse climate and abundant grape varieties. Located in the Southeast of the North Coast, Sonoma County offers winemakers a diversity of soils, including soils of volcanic origin. In general, Sonoma’s climate is temperate, with the Pacific Ocean providing its cooling effect.

Within Sonoma County, there are three sub-regions: Northern Sonoma, Sonoma Valley, and Sonoma Coast. The most famous AVAs in Sonoma County are Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Knights Valley.

With over 60 grape varieties planted in Sonoma, the county’s most famous varietals are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel.

Mendocino

As the northernmost wine area on the North Coast, Mendocino is notable for its windswept coastline. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Mendocino county has a cooler climate.

The region’s climate is excellent for cool-climate grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Mendocino areas that are a bit warmer produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Zinfandel.

Notable AVAs in Mendocino include Anderson Valley, famous for its sparkling wines, and Mendocino Ridge.

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The Central Coast

The Central Coast covers huge territories — from San Francisco Bay to Los Angeles. The most famous wine regions in the Central Coast are the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey County, located in the north, and Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County in the south.

The Santa Cruz Mountains

Divided by a mountain range, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is a region with steep hillsides, redwoods, and canyons. Vineyards in Santa Cruz Mountains benefit from a high elevation, diverse soils, and coastal climate.

As the western part of this wine region faces the Pacific Ocean, there are excellent conditions for growing Pinot Noir there. The eastern part faces San Francisco Bay, and Cabernet Sauvignon dominates here. Cultivating high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon on the Coast is quite challenging; winemakers in this AVA cope with it perfectly.

Monterey County

Monterey Country stretches from Monterey Bay to San Luis Obispo County, with the most famous AVAs being Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Chalone.

The climatic conditions of Monterey are diverse. In the northwest region, a cool climate dominates, allowing for planting grape varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. In hotter areas, weather conditions favor the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Grape varieties cultivated in Monterey County enable winemakers to produce award-winning wines that reflect the complex geology of this wine region.

Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County is a wine region that occupies the southern regions of the central coast of California. The terrain includes river valleys and gentle hills. The most well-known AVAs in Santa Barbara are the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.

Due to the variety of soils and climatic conditions, Santa Barbara County has favorable conditions for different grape varieties. That is, heat-loving grapes like Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon grow well in the warm Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. Cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay perform well in the cooler Santa Maria Valley.

The wine produced in Santa Barbara County will have a rich taste. Along with a bright aroma, grapes growing in this California wine region maintain an optimal balance of acidity and sweetness, creating wines with lively fruit and berry flavors, spicy notes, and a balanced structure.

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County is a wine region located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. AVAs to know in this region are Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Arroyo Grande Valley.

Because of the variety of micro-climates in the region, San Luis Obispo County produces an array of wine varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhone-style wines like Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, and Zinfandel. That is, Zinfandel grapes perform well in the hot climate of Paso Roble, while Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow well in the cooler climate of the Edna Valley.

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The Central Valley

Located between Sacramento and San Bernardino, the Central Valley produces over 50% of all California wine. In addition, the Central Valley is notable for the experiments on crossing grape varieties and creating hybrids carried out there.

The key wine-growing regions in the Central Valley are the Sierra Foothills and Lodi.

Sierra Foothills

Located between Sacramento to the west and Lake Tahoe to the east, Sierra Foothills is one of the largest California wine regions. While the climate is warm here, cool winds blow from the mountains, and the air temperature fluctuates frequently. In such climatic conditions, the grapes ripen slowly, allowing winemakers to create drinks with a rich flavor bouquet.

Signature wines of Sierra Foothills are Zinfandel, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier.

Lodi

Lodi is one of California’s largest and oldest wine regions in San Joaquin Valley. Lodi has a Mediterranean climate, where the ocean breeze has a cooling effect on the vineyards, and hot, sunny days give way to cool nights.

With over 40% of California’s Zinfandel produced in Lodi, it’s safe to call this wine region the Zinfandel Capital. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate also creates good conditions for growing other varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Riesling.

The South Coast

The South Coast of California stretches from Los Angeles to San Diego. Since it is very hot in Southern California, winemakers locate their vineyards on western-facing slopes and close to the coast or high in the mountains.

The Temecula and Antelope Valley are notable wine regions in Southern California.

Temecula Valley

The Temecula Valley is a wine region with over 40 wineries. The region is home to a wide array of grapes — from cooler-climate varieties like Chardonnay to heat-loving ones like Syrah and Grenache. Due to the proximity to the ocean, the Temecula Valley has favorable climatic conditions for grape growing. So, the wine varieties you can find here are diverse and include Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Antelope Valley

The Antelope Valley is a wine region in the California High Desert, north of Los Angeles. Summers are mainly hot and dry here, while winters are cool and snowless. In such climatic conditions, increased elevation plays an important role in winemaking.

Grape varieties planted in the Antelope Valley include Zinfandel, Syrah, and Viognier.

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6 must-know facts about California wine grapes and wines

We hope you enjoyed the journey to California wine regions. Now, it’s time for the fun facts about the Golden State.

#1 Perfect climate conditions

California is famous for its sunny and warm weather. Still, the climate across the state is very diverse and can suit both cool-climate and heat-loving grape varieties. Because of numerous earthquakes, the soils in California also vary — from alluvial and sedimentary to volcanic. Due to climatic and soil conditions, California wines may come in various styles — red and white, dry and sweet, sparkling and still.

Most of the wine-growing regions have something in between maritime and continental climates. In such areas, the environment for viticulture and winemaking is close to perfect.

Sunny, warm, and dry days give way to cooler ones with breeze and fog that cover the valleys every evening, enabling the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.

#2 Long wine-making history

Winemaking in California started in the 1700s. Produced by the missionaries who arrived in the country, the first California wines have remained in history under the name “missionary wine.” For its production, the apostles used dark grapes imported from Mexico.

The Gold Rush that broke out in the middle of the 19th century led to gold diggers pouring into the state. As the population increased, so did the demand for wine.

Prohibition, introduced in 1918, severely damaged the California wine industry. However, after its abolition, the industry continued to develop rapidly. After a blind wine-tasting event held in Paris in 1976, the whole world learned about outstanding wines from the Golden State.

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#3 A wide array of grapes planted

Today, there are 81 grape varieties grown in California. You can find red, black, and green grapes there.

The undisputed leaders are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot and Zinfandel. Pinot Noir, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Viognier are also gaining popularity.

As mentioned above, the variety of climatic and soil conditions across California wine regions makes it possible to cultivate different grapes — from famous and noble grapes to less-known ones.

#4 The top wine producer in the U.S.

It’s hard to overestimate the role of the Golden State in American winemaking — 81% of total U.S. wine production takes place in California. In 2021, the state crushed 3.61 million tons of wine grapes and produced 649.44 gallons of wine.

#5 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)

California has over 147 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) identified. AVAs represent grape-growing regions that have received appellation status.

Why do AVAs matter? The state law requires wines labeled as “California” to be 100% made of grapes grown in California and 100% produced in the state. Wines with an AVA specified on the label must contain 85% grapes from the stated AVA. To specify county appellation, the winery must have used at least 75% of grapes from that appellation to make the wine.

#6 A great vacation getaway for wine enthusiasts

Finally, California is an excellent place for wine tourism. Such tours are a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature, visit wineries and vineyards, participate in wine classes and workshops, and taste world-class wines.

Here, you will find the most memorable wine-tasting experiences. All California wine regions have something unique to surprise you. For example, Napa Valley is famous for its luxury and innovative tasting rooms.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Golden State is rich in amazing wine regions, including widely known countries like Napa Valley and Sonoma, and the ones you probably haven’t heard of before. Whether planning a vacation in California or looking for fine wines from this state, our guide to California wine regions will help you navigate through the variety of wine styles created north-to-south.

18 Most popular wine grapes in California and wines you need to try

Do you know how many grape varieties exist in the world? Their number exceeds 10 thousand! However, only a few of them have become popular worldwide.

While many wine regions specialize in a limited number of wine varieties, with California, that’s not the case. Climate conditions in this state allow for cultivating the most popular wine grapes. So, Californian wine producers offer a great array of different red and white wine styles to choose from.

Curious about wine varieties worth trying? This article will help you navigate the best wine grape varieties and wines in California.

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Wine grapes vs. table grapes

Do you think all grape varieties are suitable for making wine? There are so-called table grapes that you can find on store shelves and wine grapes used to make wine. Although the latter serves wine production purposes primarily, there’s nothing wrong with eating it. Table grapes do not make good wine, though. As for table grapes in the US, 99% of them come from California.

What is the difference between wine grapes and table grapes? First, wine grapes typically have thicker skin than table varieties. Second, wine grapes are smaller and tend to have a more concentrated taste. Third, wine grapes have larger seeds compared to table grapes. Fourth, wine grapes and table grapes come from different species. Wine grapes primarily come from the Vitis Vinifera species, while table grapes may come from this and other species, including Vitis Rotundifolia and Vitis Labrusca. Finally, the yield of most wine grapes is lower than that of table grapes.

Wine production in California

Here are some quick stats for you to appreciate the role of California in the U.S. wine industry.

California has been the top wine-producing state for several decades already. As of 2021, 4,800 wineries and 5,900 grape growers in California produced 649.44 gallons of wine, constituting approximately 81% of total U.S. wine production. The total California wine grape acreage was 463,821 in 2021.

The stats speak volumes, right? It is worth noting that, with favorable climatic conditions in the state, these results would be easier to achieve.

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Grape-growing conditions in California

What’s unique about the climate in California? Due to the state’s large area, diverse topography, and long coastline, a wide variety of environments and soils exist. So, winemakers can choose the optimal terroir for each grape variety.

Warm and dry summers enable the grapes to ripen to the fullest. In addition, the proximity of Central and Northern California to the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay helps prevent the grapes from drying out in the sun by keeping moisture in the air. Regions with mountains and hills are notable for unique soil qualities that contribute to successful grape growing.

As you can see, international demand for Californian wines is booming for a good reason. Now that you know the prerequisites for making great California wines, it’s time to get familiar with the most popular wine grapes cultivated in the state.

10 most popular red grape varieties and wines in California

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the six Bordeaux grapes — the ones grown in the famous French wine region. Also referred to as the king of red wine grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most widely planted grape variety in California, producing one of the most famous wines in the world. The concentrated flavors, aromas, and noticeable tannins in these dark, thick-skinned grapes contribute to the rich bouquet of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wines made of Cabernet Sauvignon (also called “Cabs”) are typically full-bodied. Cabernet Sauvignon wines display distinct notes of berries like black currant, blueberry, and blackberry, plus hints of herbs and savory notes of bell pepper. Oaked Cabs often acquire rich notes of tobacco, vanilla, mint, pepper, and chocolate on the palate.

Cabernet Sauvignon wines have excellent aging potential thanks to high levels of tannins. As the wine ages, it becomes more velvety on the palate while retaining its primary flavors.

Merlot

Merlot is another noble grape of California and a representative of Bordeaux grapes cultivated in the state — particularly in the Napa Valley and Paso Robles regions.

Merlot wines display distinct notes of cherry, plum, and raspberry. Secondary flavors and aromas may include chocolate, orange, mint, cedar, green tea, and violet. Aging Merlot in oak for 8-12 months can make the wine’s bouquet more profound and complex.

Tannic wines made from Merlot are slightly reminiscent of Cabernet Sauvignon, but they are softer and more rounded. California Merlot has a rich, full-bodied texture and a velvety taste.

California winemakers use Merlot grapes to produce not only single-varietal wines but also blends.

Syrah

Syrah is a popular grape variety often referred to as a noble. These dark, thick-skinned grapes perform best in sandy, limestone, and granite soils.

Syrah grapes produce dense, strong, deeply colored, and very aromatic wines with hints of blueberries, raspberries, fruit jam, peppers, and herbs. Still, the flavor profiles of Syrah wines may vary depending on how long the wine has aged. That is, young Syrah wines have distinct notes of dark berries and black pepper, while aged wines tend to acquire a flavor profile enriched with herbal, spicy, and floral notes.

Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir grape variety is a tricky one. Unlike other red wine grape varieties, thin-skinned Pinot Noir grapes are prone to various issues in the vineyard. Pinot Noir performs best in cooler climates like Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Although Pinot Noir is quite challenging to grow, wines from it conquer wine lovers with their freshness and cherry tones in the bouquet. Red wines made by Pinot Noir are light-bodied and almost translucent in color, with a flavor profile of fruit, flowers, and herbs. Thanks to their high acidity, Pinot Noir wines age well.

Along with making red wines, this grape blends exceptionally with Chardonnay to produce sparkling wines like Champagne.

Zinfandel

The Zinfandel grape variety appeared in California in the early 19th century and has since built a reputation as California’s signature grape. Just like Pinot Noir, this grape variety is quite difficult to grow. That’s why the best Zinfandel wines are pricey. Lodi, the city in San Joaquin, leads the production of Zinfandel in California, with over 40% of the state’s grapes being cultivated there.

Zinfandel grapes produce white, rosé, and red wines. Coming in dry and semi-dry versions, red Zinfandel is typically full-bodied and rich in tannins. The tasting profile displays bright berry notes, with slight hints of tart spices appearing at the finish.

Malbec

Known as one of the six Bordeaux grapes, Malbec is a thin-skinned grape variety that performs best in higher elevations. When growing Malbec in high-elevation areas, winemakers can achieve the desired acidity to produce a long-lasting wine.

Malbec wines typically have a full body, medium tannins, and low to medium acidity. Their tasting profiles may display dark fruit flavors like plum, pomegranate, black cherry, and raspberry and spicy flavors like tobacco, black pepper, and cloves. The notable feature of Malbecs is a smoky finish. When aged in oak barrels, Malbec wines derive vanilla, dark chocolate, coconut, and mocha notes from the oak.

Grenache

Grenache or Garnacha is a thin-skinned grape variety with a versatile character. Grenache grapes can produce not only standalone red and rosé wines and amazing blends with other grapes like Syrah.

The flavor profile of California Grenache wines is typically fruit-forward, with black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry being the primary notes. The secondary flavors and aromas may include citrus rind, cinnamon, and anise. Grenache wines typically have low tannin levels and bright acidity.

Cabernet Franc

Known as a parent to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, Cabernet Franc grapes have thin dark skins and are lower in tannins. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc requires a cooler climate and performs best in chalk, clay, and limestone soils.

The primary flavors of Cabernet Franc are raspberry, strawberry, and bell pepper. Along with single-varietal wines, Cabernet Franc grapes produce unique blends with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Petite Sirah

While people mistakenly believe that Petite Sirah is a lighter version of Syrah, it is a different grape variety. These grapes appeared as a result of crossing Syrah with a rare variety Peloursin.

The tasting profile of Petite Sirah wines dramatically depends on the climate where the grapes have grown. Petite Sirah grapes cultivated in warmer regions like Lodi and Central Valley produce rich wines with chewy tannins and jammy bramble or blackberry notes. In Napa Valley, Petite Sirah wines display a more complex bouquet of flavors, including blueberry, black pepper, and cocoa notes.

Sangiovese

Coming from Tuscany, an Italian region, the Sangiovese grape variety performed well in California’s climate and soils. Still, in terms of acreage, other red wine grape varieties occupy way more significant positions.

Wines made of California Sangiovese are full-bodied, tannic, and high-acid. Their fruit-forward profile displays distinct flavors and aromas of cherry, raspberry, and black currant, together with subtle notes of thyme and cinnamon.

8 most popular white grape varieties and wines in California

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Chardonnay

Known as the “queen of white wine grapes,” Chardonnay is the most widely planted in California. These thick-skinned yellow grapes produce top-consumed white wines in the U.S.

The variety of Chardonnay wine styles is amazing — from light-bodied wines that are crisp and refreshing wines to full-bodied, buttery versions.

Chardonnay wines are very aromatic, with notes of ripe pineapple, apple, fig, melon, honey, and citrus. Unoaked versions of Chardonnay display hints of minerality, while oaked versions that undergo malolactic fermentation get notes of vanilla, toast, and baking spices.

Chardonnay grapes make not only amazing single-varietal white wines but also blends. Moreover, Chardonnay is an essential element of many sparkling wines.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white wine grape variety known for its adaptivity. While this noble grape performs well in many wine regions across the globe, temperate climates are perfect for it.

Californian Sauvignon Blanc is famous for its herbal and light smoky taste, with citrus fruits, melon, fennel, and green olive on the palate. Sauvignon Blanc typically comes in dry versions, although there are sweeter versions. In Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lake, and other regions cultivating Sauvignon Blanc, you can find high-quality single-varietal wines and blends made using this grape variety.

Riesling

Riesling is a white wine grape variety with small berries and bunches. The botanical name for these grapes used in California is White Riesling.

Riesling wines are notable for their fruity and floral aromas. The high acidity of Riesling grapes contributes to the great aging potential of the resulting wines. Rieslings may come in different styles — from sweet to bone-dry.

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape variety. Unlike most white wine grapes, Pinot Grigio grapes are pink-red, grayish, or purple. Still, because the grape skins aren’t in contact with the grape juice during the fermentation, Pinot Grigio wines obtain a golden color, just like other white wines.

Pinot Gris grapes produce easy-drinking light-bodied wines with medium to high acidity. The primary notes found in Pinot Grigio wines are stone fruit, white peach, apple, pear, and lemon zest. After undergoing malolactic fermentation, Pinot Gris wines become less acidic and fuller-bodied.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is another popular white grape variety grown in California, especially in the Central Valley region.

In general, Chenin Blanc grapes produce refreshing wines with fruity flavors. Chenin Blanc wines typically have a light to medium body and zingy acidity. The notable feature of Chenin Blanc is its versatility, as it can create an array of wine styles, including dry, sweet, sparkling, and oaked versions.

Viognier

Viognier grapes are small and low-yielding. While drought-resistant, Viogner performs best in cooler climates and high elevations. In California, you can find Viognier plantings on the North Coast and the Central Coast.

Wines made from Viognier are typically dry, with dominant notes of tangerine, mango, peach, and honeysuckle. Oak aging gives Viognier wines a creamy texture and notes of vanilla, clove, and nutmeg.

Semillon

Semillon is a high-yielding thin-skinned grape variety that is relatively easy to grow. What’s noteworthy about this variety is its exposure to Botrytis — a kind of noble rot that can add amazing characteristics to future wine.

Semillon grapes produce dry and sweet wines with citrus, peach, chamomile, and beeswax flavors and aromas on the palate.

Single-varietal Semillon wines and blends using Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and other white wine grapes are both sought-after options.

Muscat or Moscato

The term “Muscat” or “Moscato” unites the group of over 200 white wine grape varieties. Muscat is an aromatic grape variety cultivated in many wine regions across the globe, including the Central Coast of California.

Light-bodied Muscat wines may come in various styles — dry and sweet, still and sparkling. The primary flavors of Muscat wines include Meyer lemon, Mandarin orange, and pear.

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Final notes

As you can see, the variety of grapes and wine names is stunning. Each grape variety widely grown in California has unique characteristics adding to the flavor profile of the resulting wine. We hope our guide will help you stock up the collection of wines made of these most popular wine grapes.

White wine vs. red wine: key differences in grape varieties

Made from different grape varieties, red and white wines represent the two significant types of one popular drink. Which one is better is a frequent subject of controversy among wine enthusiasts. But the choice of red wine vs. white wine is a matter of your personal preferences. Both types of wine derive their unique characteristics from the grape varietals used in production primarily; the winemaking techniques also matter.

So, what are the key differences between red and white wine grapes? Read this article to discover what sets these two groups of grape varietals apart. After outlining the differences, we’ll examine the most popular grapes used to produce red and white wines.

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Red vs. white wine grapes

Grape characteristics

The first and most apparent difference between red and white wine grapes is their color. Red wine grapes can be red or black, with high anthocyanin concentration in their skins. White wine grapes are typically yellow or green, but it’s not always the case.

In some instances, black and red grapes can produce white wines. The reason for this is differences in the wine-making process: winemakers don’t use grape skins and seeds during the fermentation process in white wine production. As the grape skin doesn’t interact with the grape juice, anthocyanins won’t color future wine in shades of red. In red wine production, the skins, seeds, and stems are all in contact with the grape juice during the fermentation. As a result, the wine acquires a red color.

Along with anthocyanins, skins, seeds, and leaves of red grapes contain such phenolic compounds as tannins. Tannins are much higher in red wine grapes, which explains the drying sensation you may feel on the back of your tongue when drinking wine. White grapes also contain these phenolic compounds, although their content is much lower than red varietals.

Harvest time

The next difference between red vs. white wine grape varietals is harvest time. As grapes ripen at different rates, winemakers cut them from the vines at different times.

Typically, white wine grapes are harvested earlier than red wine grapes to ensure the desired acidity in wine. The first grapes to be picked are sparkling wine grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, followed by white wine grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and others.

Now, what about red and black grapes used to produce white wines? As a rule, the harvest time will be the same for most white wine grapes. An exception, though: winemakers will harvest white wine grapes later to make dessert or late-harvest wines.

Red wine grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Sirah are often picked in late October when they are ripe enough and have sufficient phenol and sugar levels.

Read more about the harvest season here.

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Red vs. white wine production

Wine producers make red and white wines differently, with different grape parts used in fermentation. When making red wines of red or black grapes, the skins, seeds, and stems all participate in the fermentation process started by natural yeast. In certain cases, winemakers add yeast to the juice to run the process in a controlled manner. As a result, the fermented grape juice derives color, tannins, and flavors from the grape skins and seeds (this process is known as maceration).

When producing white wines from red or black grapes, winemakers remove the grape skin and seeds to ensure a lighter color of the resulting wine (the style known as Blanc de Noir). With the skins removed, white grapes go to press. In red wine production, pressing occurs after fermentation.

The fermentation temperature will differ for red and white wine production: 68°F-80°F for red wines and 57-65ºF for white wines.

Aging techniques

It is more common to age red wines in oak barrels than white wines. Oak aging adds complexity to the wine’s flavor profile, adding nutty, vanilla, and caramel notes to the bouquet. Light-bodied reds can be an exception, though. Designed for early drinking, light wines like Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Gamay are aged in stainless steel tanks.

With white wines, using stainless steel vats is more common for aging. By preventing exposure to oxygen, steel helps preserve the grape’s natural floral and fruity flavor. Still, certain white wine grape varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc are oak-friendly despite being typically aged in stainless steel.

Flavor profiles of wines

When it comes to drinking wine, flavors and aromas matter. While seasoned wine drinkers don’t want to generalize what this or that drink tastes like, we can still highlight some major distinctions between red wine vs. white wine.

The primary notes of red wines typically include dark fruit and berries like plum, dark currant, blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry. White wines tend to have fruity notes of citrus, apple, pear, or stone fruit and floral flavors. So, to sum up: red wines tend to be berry-flavored, while white wines typically display floral and citrusy flavors and aromas.

Along with these natural flavor characteristics derived from the grapes primarily, factors like winemaking techniques also determine the flavor profile of the wine. Unoaked light-bodied reds are crisp and refreshing, with distinct strawberry, cherry, and raspberry notes on the palate. Full-bodied red wines have rich blackberry, black currant, and blueberry flavors and may derive vanilla, baking spices, or coconut notes from oak aging.

Light-bodied whites are aromatic and refreshing, with citrus, stone fruit, apple, or pineapple notes on the palate. Richer whites aged in oak and through malolactic fermentation have a more buttery or creamy structure and still preserve their fruit tang.

Aging potential of wines

While it’s difficult to generalize, there are some commonly accepted distinctions regarding the aging potential of red vs. white wines. That is, unoaked whites are best when drunk within two years, and oaked whites — when consumed within five years. White wine varieties with the greatest aging potential (up to 10 years) include Chardonnay, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, and fortified dessert versions of Riesling.

As for red wines, they are good when drunk within five years. However, specific red varieties can have a more significant aging potential — of up to 20 years. Red wine varieties that age well are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo are red wine varieties that age well.

The key reason for the weaker aging potential of white wines compared to their red counterparts is a lower level of tannins. In greater amounts, these phenolic compounds in red wines contribute to the wine’s age-worthiness.

Want to learn more about red vs. white wine differences? Then check this article.

Red wine vs. white wine: the best varieties to try

Now that you know the differences between grapes used in white and red wine production, let’s outline some noteworthy varieties in each group. Knowing the varietal specifics and what to expect from red wine vs. white wine will help you stock your wine collection based on your taste.

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