BARBERA (Bar-Bear-ah)
Barbera is a red wine grape found primarily in Italy's Piedmont region. It produces bright, crisp wines with deep ruby colors, full body and low tannin levels.

BRUNELLO (Broo-nel-o)
This is one of two strains of the red, Sangiovese grape. It's bigger and much more rare than its cousin, Sangiovese Piccolo. Brunello is the grape behind Brunello di Montalcino, a luscious and long-aging red wine from Italy's Tuscany region.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON (Cah-burr-nay Sow-veen-yon)
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine known for its depth of flavor, aroma and ability to age. It is full-bodied and intense, with cherry-currant and sometimes herbal flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon may have noticeable tannins.

CHARDONNAY (Shar-dun-nay)
Chardonnay is a white wine that can range from clean and crisp with a hint of varietal flavor to rich and complex oak-aged wines. Chardonnay typically balances fruit, acidity and texture.

CHENIN BLANC (Shen-ihn Blonk)
Chenin Blanc is a white wine with fresh, delicate floral characteristics. It grows well in warmer climates and produces light, well- balanced wines ranging from dry to off-dry (slightly sweet) styles.

GEWÜRZTRAMINER (Geh-verts-tram-in-er)
Gewürztraminer is a white wine that produces distinctive wines rich in spicy aromas and full flavors, ranging from dry to sweet. This varietal is a popular choice for Asian cuisines and pork-based sausages.

GRENACHE (Greh-nash)
Grenache is a red wine grape that produces fruity, spicy wines with medium body and tannins. It also can show a lighter side when it's turned into Rose.

MERLOT (Mer-low)
Merlot is a red wine with medium to full body and herbaceous flavors. Merlot is typically softer in taste than Cabernet Sauvignon.

MUSCAT (Mus-CAT)
The white Muscat grape produces spicy, floral wines that often do something most other wines don't: they actually taste like grapes. Muscats can range from very dry and fresh to sweet and syrupy.

NEBBIOLO (Nehb-bee-oh-low)
This is the great red variety of Italy's Piedmont region. At its best, Nebbiolo produces strong, long-aging wines with depth and character.

PETITE SIRAH (Peh-teet See-rah)
Petite Sirahs are red wines with firm, robust tannic tastes, often with peppery flavors. Petite Sirahs may complement meals with rich meats.

PINOT GRIGIO (Pee-noh Gree-zjoh)
(Pinot Gris) The low acidity of this white grape helps produce rich, lightly perfumed wines that are often more colorful than other whites.

PINOT NOIR (Pee-noh Nwar)
Pinot Noir is a red wine of light to medium body and delicate, smooth, rich complexity. The Pinot Noir grape is one of the most challenging wine grapes to bring to full potential.

RIESLING (Rees-ling)
Rieslings are white wines known for their floral perfume. Depending on where they're made, they can be crisp and bone-dry, full-bodied and spicy or luscious and sweet.

SANGIOVESE (San-gee-oh-vay-zi)
Sangiovese is best known as the grape behind the Italian red wine, Chianti. It often boasts a distinctively smooth texture topped with spice, raspberry and licorice flavors.

SAUVIGNON BLANC (Soh-veen-yon Blonk)
Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine best known for its grassy, herbal flavors. Sauvignon Blanc is also called Fume Blanc, and is a popular choice for fish and shellfish dishes.

SEMILLON (Say-mee-yon)
The white Semillon grape reaches its pinnacle in sweet, honeyed wines such as the Sauternes of southwest France. Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc and sometimes with Chardonnay.

SYRAH (See-Rah)
(Shiraz) Syrah can produce monumental red wines with strong tannins and complex combinations of flavors including berry, plum and smoke. It's known as Shiraz mainly in Australia and South Africa.

VIOGNIER (Vee-ohn-yay)
Viognier is a rare white grape that's difficult to grow. Fans of this variety enjoy its peachy, apricotty and sometimes spicy flavors.

ZINFANDEL (Zin-fan-dell)
Zinfandel is a red wine with light to full body and berry-like or spicy flavors. Zinfandels are one of the major grape varieties grown in California.