Decent, Uncorrupted Grapes. Aka; the Noble Ones

In an effort to get my head back to WSET study mode, I thought it may be a wise move to revisit the best known grape varieties and their respective characteristics. I didn’t get far before I stumbled upon what is commonly known as the Noble Grapes. Basically, this is a list of the most widely planted grapes in the world’s largest wine growing regions.

Kinda the ‘Greatest Hits’ selection of Vitis Vinifera, of which nine are red and nine are white.

Traditionally, the list was made of only six grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc & Riesling). But subsequently the regal cloak has spread to embrace 18 in total. It’s assumed that these grapes maintain their characteristics and flavour, no matter where they are planted.

Discovering this category existed, made the task of understanding the basic grape varieties far less daunting. Sure there are literally thousands of grape types, some indigenous to its land, others odd mutations of each other, but these 18 Noble Grapes represent the complete spectrum of wine flavours. Helping even the true novice get a grip on the major taste profiles of both reds and whites universally.

Amazing.

It’s worth noting that many of these grapes are of French origin, which is probably most reflective of France’s historical conquering of lands. It will be interesting to see whether the Noble 18 may change in time, as the New World gets stronger, climates change and the interest in indigenous varieties climb.

I’ve listed the 18 Noble Grapes in order of lightest to darkest (reds) and lightest to heaviest (whites).  Do keep in mind that although the below gives a decent indication of what to expect from the varietal- there are always exceptions to the rule- climate and soil playing major roles in the vineyard, and the wine maker’s stylistic choices in the winery.

That being said, this summary has been a priceless help to me, especially when blind-tasting wine. Read, let it resonate… and hopefully become a touch more smug in your wine knowledge (like me).

REDS

• Pinot Noir
• Grenache
• Merlot
• Sangiovese
• Nebbiolo
• Tempranillo
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah/Shiraz
• Malbec

WHITES

• Pinot Grig/Pinot Grigio
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chenin Blanc
• Moscato
• Gewurztraminer
• Semillon
• Viognier
• Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

FRUIT PROFILE- (Red) strawberries, raspberries, cherries, plum OTHER- mushrooms, wet leaves, forest floor, game, leather

TANNIN- low-medium

ACIDITY- medium-high

BODY- light

Grenache

FRUIT PROFILE- Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, orange, citrus rind- think a fruit roll up with spice! (OTHER)- cinnamon, spice, pepper, licorice, anise OLD WORLD- dried oregano, tobacco

TANNIN- medium

ACIDITY- low-medium

BODY- dependent on growing conditions

Merlot

FRUIT PROFILE- Plums, black cherry, raspberries, damson (COOL CLIMATE) strawberry, mint (WARM CLIMATE) fruitcake, figs, prunes OTHER- Graphite, mocha, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco

TANNIN- medium

ACIDITY- medium

BODY- medium

Sangiovese

FRUIT PROFILE- Red cherry, plum (COOL) herbal notes, green tea (OTHER) tomato, oregano, thyme, tobacco, leather, earth, chestnuts

TANNIN- medium- high

ACIDITY- medium- high

BODY- medium-high (can massively vary according to terroir)

Nebbiolo

FRUIT PROFILE- Blackberry, sloes, cherry (OTHER) rose, anise, claypot (AGED) dried fruit,  tobacco, mushroom, tar

TANNIN- high

ACIDITY- high

BODY- medium-high

Tempranillo

FRUIT PROFILE (red / black) – strawberry, cherry, plum, tomato, blackberry (OTHER) cedar, leather, tobacco, vanilla, dill, clove

TANNIN- medium-high

ACIDITY- low-medium

BODY- medium-high

Cabernet Sauvignon

FRUIT PROFILE- (Black) blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry OLD WORLD- more floral and earthy- graphite, violets, pencils shavings, cigarbox, leather NEW WORLD- Fruit forward, black pepper, vanilla, licorice METHOXYPYRAZINES Cool- vegetal, asparagus, capsicum Moderate- mint, eucalyptus

TANNIN- medium-high

ACIDITY- medium-high

BODY- full

Syrah/Shiraz

FRUIT PROFILE- blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, boysenberry (COOL) herbaceous, black pepper, earthy, sage, oregano, anise, smoke, olives, game WARM- chocolate, fruitcake, plum sauce, fruit jam, vanilla OTHER- tobacco, leather

TANNIN- medium-high

ACIDITY- medium-high

BODY- full

Malbec

FRUIT PROFILE Cool- tart plum, blackcurrant, damson, savoury, leathery, black pepper, tobacco leaf. Warm- sweet plums, blackberry, cherry, violets, chocolate, spice, cloves, sweet tobacco

TANNIN- medium- medium high

ACIDITY- medium- medium high

BODY- full

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

FRUIT PROFILE- (COOL) lime, apple, pear (WARM) meyer lemon, nectarine (OTHER) almond, honeysuckle, honey, saline, clove, ginger, spice

ACIDITY- dependent on growing conditions

BODY- light

Riesling

FRUIT PROFILE- (COOL) lime, meyer lemon (MODERATE) apricot, nectarine (WARM) pineapple honey (OTHER) honeycomb, jasmine, lime peel, petrol or petroleum wax (AGED) diesel, petrol, lanolin

ACIDITY- high

BODY- dependent on growing conditions

Sauvignon Blanc

FRUIT PROFILE- (COOL) lime, green apple  (WARM) passion fruit,peach (OTHER) bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry and grass, cat’s piss (!)

ACIDITY- medium, medium-high

BODY- medium

Chenin Blanc

FRUIT PROFILE-  wine grower’s chameleon! (COOL) passion fruit, apple (WARM) pear, peach (OTHER) lemon verbena, ginger, honey, honeysuckle, jasmine (AGED) buttered popcorn, butterscotch, lemon curd, nutmeg, baked apple, graham cracker, meringue, marzipan, brioche

ACIDITY- medium-plus, high

BODY- light to full

Moscato/Muscat Blanc

FRUIT PROFILE-  meyer lemon, mandarin, pear, orange blossum, honeysuckle

ACIDITY- medium-low

BODY- dependent on growing conditions

Gewurztraminer

FRUIT PROFILE- tell tale lychee aroma! (COOL) grapefruit, peach, cantaloupe (WARM) pineapple (OTHER) red grapefruit, rose petal, ginger,smoky aroma similar to burnt incense

ACIDITY- medium-low

BODY- full

Semillon

FRUIT PROFILE-  (COOL) lemon, green apple (WARM) pear, green papaya (OTHER) lanolin, hay, honeysuckle, wax, saffron, fig, honey, ginger

ACIDITY- medium

BODY- full

Viognier

FRUIT PROFILE- apricot, peach, tangerine, honeysuckle (OTHER) spring blossom, jasmine

ACIDITY- medium-low

BODY- medium

Chardonnay

FRUIT PROFILE- (COOL) Green fruit (apple, pear), citrus (lemon zest, lime peel), occasional vegetable notes (cucumber, celery leaf), saline, highly acidic (WARM) peach, mango, fig, pineapple, banana, jackfruit (OTHER) dairy, creamy, honey, nut, savoury

ACIDITY- medium-low

BODY- full