A lot of grapes have different names, which makes this what kind of wine thing even tougher....right? Not to
mention there are easily over 10,000 wine grape varietals already ...
The name difference most often is based on where it is grown. This actually tells you A LOT about what it will taste like. The other indicator is the regions climate, a warmer climate verses a cool climate changes the flavors that the grape impart.
Have you ever had a Vidalia onion that was sweet and delicious and then had another labeled the same that was hotter than a plain yellow onion? ...same thing with grapes. The soil, minerals in the soil, the air and rain, temperatures in the day and those in the night all make the grape unique.
Syrah and Shiraz - same grape.
Syrah is the core of wines from Cote-Rotie, Hermitage and Cotes du Rhone blends. as well as Languedoc red.
Shiraz is found in Australia.
The flavor difference in the two are significant. Shiraz tends to be big and bold, while Syrah is fruitier and lighter. A northern Rhone Syrah is firm with dry tannins and an Australian Shiraz is soft and velvety.
Zinfandel, Primitivo, Tribidrag or Crljenak Kastelanski - all the same grape
Tribidrag or Crljenak Kastelanski are native to Croatia and Montenegro. These wines are more fruity in flavor.
Primitivo found in Puglia, Italy is smooth and warming
Zinfandel is found in California. This wine always full-bodied and boasts of plump fruit.
There are many more we will explore a bit further at a later date.....
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Malvoise, Grauburgunder, Fromenteau, Pinot Beurot, Rulander, & Szurkebarat
There are tons of names for this grape, as well as tons of flavor variations. Lighter versions are labeled with Pinot Grigio and are typically from Italy. These wines tend to be pale in color, zesty and refreshing.
Those will heavier with a little sweetness are labeled Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris, is commonly used by the French, the wines are deeper in color, medium to full-bodied, oaky, low acidity with soft aromas.
What-ever the name, this is a lovely wine on a hot day, easy to drink and offers a wide variety of flavors.
Grenache, Garnacha, Cannonau
Mourvedre, Monastrell, Mataro
Malbec, Cot
Chenin Blanc, Pineau de la Loire, Steen
Vermentino, Rolle, Pigato, Favorita
Blaufrankisch, Lemberger, Kekfrankos, Frankovka, Frankinja