Wine Varietals
Welcome! We’re glad you’ve landed here to learn more about different wine varietals! We pride ourselves in showcasing a wide range of dry red and white wines in our 6 Wine Clubs, so you get to taste wines you may not have gravitated towards at your local wine shop…but are definitely worthy of your attention.
Not only have we showcased these different types of wines for our members, we are constantly adding more to the list below. We’re your best source of info anywhere from California wine varietals to Italian, Australian and other international wine varietals. You’ll find how to pronounce each grape varietal, the history and migration of the grape itself, how the wine smells and tastes, plus which wines we have available to purchase in our Online Wine Store.
If you are interested in a wine varietal that we do not have listed, please let us know and we are happy to add it to the list for you!

Aglianico
(Aglianico pronunciation: Ahl-YAH-nee-koh) Aglianico is the variety responsible for the rustic wines found almost entirely in the southern Italian re ...
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Albariño
(Albariño pronunciation: ahl-bah-REE-nyoh) Albariño is considered by many to be Spain's premier quality white wine and we are very excited to be able ...
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Ansonica
(Ansonica pronunciation: An-SOH-neeka) Ansonica is the Italian white wine grape grown primarily in Sicily and Tuscany. When grown in Tuscany the gr ...
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Arneis
(Arneis pronunciation: Ahr-NASE) The Arneis grape is a white wine variety from the Roero subregion of Italy’s renowned Piedmont wine region. Arneis c ...
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Barbera
(Barbera pronunciation: bar-BEH-rah) Barbera is a special red grape varietal of the Old World. Native to Piedmont, Italy, Barbera is a hardy grape that ...
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Barolo
(Barolo pronunciation: Bah-ROH-loh) Barolo is considered the “King of Italian Wines,” for its high classification, specific production methods, and a ...
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Bordeaux Blanc
(Bordeaux Blanc pronunciation: Bor-doh Blahnk) Despite the fact that Bordeaux is a region in France, it can also be a designation for the wines produce ...
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Bordeaux Rouge
(Bordeaux Rouge pronunciation: Bore-dough Roo-ige) Bordeaux Rouge, or 'red Bordeaux', wines make up 89% of the wines produced in Bordeaux. Wines from t ...
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Brunello
(Brunello pronunciation: Broo-NELL-oh) Brunello is better known as Brunello di Montalcino named for being produced in the vineyard surroundi ...
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Brut Champagne
(Brut Champagne pronunciation: Br-oot Sham-pein) Before getting into what exactly Champagne is made of, and how it is made, it’s important to make some ...
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Cabernet Franc
(Cabernet Franc pronunciation: Ca-burr-NAY FRONCK) Cabernet Franc is a black skinned grape grown worldwide. Featured frequently in our 6 wine of the mo ...
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Cabernet Sauvignon
(Cabernet Sauvignon pronunciation: Ca-ber-NAY Saw-vee-nyon) At The Judgment of Paris, in 1976, Napa Valley Cabernets scored ahead of some top Bordeaux ...
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Carignan
(Carignan pronunciation: Care-in-yen) Carignan is a late ripening black-skinned red wine grape mostly grown in southern France. The Carignan grape ...
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Carménère
(Carménère pronunciation: Car-men-ehr) Carménère can translate to “crimson,” indicative of the wine’s beautiful, deep crimson color. Gaining popularit ...
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Carmignano
(Carmignano pronunciation: Kar-min-YAH-no) Carmignano wine is produced in the Carmignano wine region located within Tuscany and dates all the way b ...
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Champagne
(Champagne pronunciation: Sham-pein) Champagne is a historic wine region in France. Only sparkling wines produced in this region may properly be called ...
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Chardonnay
(Chardonnay pronunciation: Shar-doh-nay) Chardonnay is by far the foremost white grape of Burgundy and has become ever-present in today’s wine world. C ...
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(Châteauneuf-du-Pape pronunciation: Shah-toe-neuf-dew-Pahp) When a French wine has Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the label it’s not specific to a varietal, bu ...
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Chenin Blanc
(Chenin Blanc pronunciation: Shen-in Blahnk) A versatile grape, Chenin Blanc is a white grape commonly from the Loire Valley of France. Ranging from dr ...
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Chianti
(Chianti pronunciation: KYAHN-tee or Kee-Ahn-tee) Chianti red wine is Italy in a bottle. Like other old world wines, Chianti wine is named a ...
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Cinsault
(Cinsault pronunciation: SAN-soh) Cinsault, also written as Cinsaut, is a large, dark, thick-skinned grape, commonly used as a blending grape ...
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Claret
(Claret pronunciation: Kleh-ruht or CLAIR-et ) Claret is a British term that references French red Bordeaux wines made from grapes of that regi ...
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Dolcetto
(Dolcetto pronunciation: dohl-CHEHT-oh) Dolcetto is a black Italian wine grape grown in Piedmont in northwest Italy. Dolcetto ironically translates to ...
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Fiano
(Fiano pronunciation: Fee-AH-noh) Fiano is a quality white wine grape with its biggest foundation in southern Italy, specifically Campania. The Fiano ...
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Gamay Noir
(Gamay Noir pronunciation: GAM-may NWARH) Gamay Noir is a light-bodied red wine that is the cousin to Pinot Noir. This often-overlooked wine was born i ...
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Gewürztraminer
(Gewürztraminer pronunciation: "Ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner) One of the 4 Grand Cru grapes of Alsace, and one of the 18 classic noble grapes is the surprisi ...
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Gigondas
(Gigondas pronunciation: Jhee-gohn-dahs) Laws in France relating to wine are incredibly strict, which results in wine labels packed full of pertinent i ...
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Godello
(Godello pronunciation: Go-DAY-oh) Godello is a rare white wine grape variety grown in northwestern Spain in the region of Galicia, and in northern Po ...
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Gouais Blanc
(Gouais Blanc pronunciation: Goo-WAE Blahnk) If obscure grape varieties are your passion then you will want to take note of this little planted white g ...
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Grenache
(Grenache pronunciation: Gren-ah-shh) Grenache has been an extensively grown grape throughout the world, making it a great varietal we feature in our m ...
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Grenache Blanc
(Grenache Blanc pronunciation: Gren-ah-shh Blahnk) As its name states, the Grenache Blanc is a close relative to Grenache - a popular red grape origina ...
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Grillo
(Grillo pronunciation: GREE-lo) Grillo is a Sicilian white wine grape variety, most famous for its role in fortified Marsala wines. The earliest menti ...
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Grüner Veltliner
(Grüner Veltliner pronunciation: GREW-nuhr Felt-LEEN-ehr) Grüner Veltliner is an ancient white grape varietal indigenous to Austria, literally meaning ...
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GSM
(GSM pronunciation: G-S-M) GSM is the acronym for a red wine blend including Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. GSM wine grapes are grown mostly in the ...
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Lagrein
(Lagrein pronunciation: Lah-GRAH’EEN) Lagrein is an ancient grape variety that dates back to the start of the 16th century. The majority of Lagrein ...
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Langhe
(Langhe pronunciation: Lahn-gae) The Langhe wine region is a hilly subregion east of the Tanaro River and south of Alba in the Cuneo province of Piedm ...
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Lemberger - Blaufränkisch
(Lemberger - Blaufränkisch pronunciation: LEHM-ber-ger - Blahw-FRAHN-keesh) This grape variety widely grown in Austria, Hungary, and Germany takes ...
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Malbec
(Malbec pronunciation: Mal-beck) Malbec is a red grape variety long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. Originall ...
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Marsanne
(Marsanne pronunciation: Mahr-SAHN) Northern Rhône’s most popular white wine grape, Marsanne is typically blended with Roussanne and Clairette. It find ...
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Meritage
(Meritage pronunciation: Mer-it-ahjee) Meritage, pronounced like heritage, first appeared in the late 1980s after a group of American vintners in Napa ...
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Meritage Blanc
(Meritage Blanc pronunciation: MEH-ri-tahj Blahnk) In order to be considered a Meritage wine, red or white, this Bordeaux style wine must follow a ...
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Merlot
(Merlot pronunciation: Mehr-loh) Merlot is a red wine variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. In fact, the first men ...
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Montepulciano
(Montepulciano pronunciation: mon-tae-pul-chee-AH-noh) After Sangiovese, Montepulciano is Italy’s second most widely dispersed indigenous grape variety ...
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Mourvèdre
(Mourvèdre pronunciation: mohr-VED-dra) Mourvèdre is a small, thick-skinned, late-ripening grape that originated in Spain (where it’s called Monastrell ...
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Nebbiolo
(Nebbiolo pronunciation: Nehb-byoh-loh) Nebbiolo is the finicky, thick-skinned grape variety behind some of the top quality wines of Piedmont northwe ...
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Old Vine Zinfandel
(Old Vine Zinfandel pronunciation: Old Vine Zin-fan-del) You might see the term Old Vine Zinfandel on websites, labels or as part of a wine’s name. Nat ...
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Petit Verdot
(Petit Verdot pronunciation: Peh-TEET Verh-doh) Petit Verdot is a small, deep-colored, thick-skinned, and late-ripening grape variety that originated ...
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Petite Sirah
(Petite Sirah pronunciation: Peh-TEET Sih-RAH) This is a grape variety which produces an excellent very dark red wine that's often described as "pepper ...
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Pinot Blanc
(Pinot Blanc pronunciation: PEE-noh Blah-nk) Pinot Blanc is a versatile white wine grape used to make various styles of wine including still, sparkl ...
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Pinot Grigio
(Pinot Grigio pronunciation: PEE-noh GREE-zhee-oh) Pinot Grigio is from Italy. The name Pinot Grigio is also used for Pinot Gris wines from other regio ...
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Pinot Gris
(Pinot Gris pronunciation: PEE-noh GREE) Pinot Gris is a light in color, light-bodied white wine originally grown in France, has a bright finish, that’ ...
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Pinot Noir
(Pinot Noir pronunciation: PEE-noh NWAHR) A seductive red grape is referred to as the "heart break grape" because it is costly to produce, unpredictabl ...
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Pinotage
(Pinotage pronunciation: PEE-noh-tAH-jee) Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa's signature variety. Pinotage was created in South Africa i ...
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Piquepoul Blanc (or Picpoul Blanc)
(Piquepoul pronunciation: Pi-ke-pou) Piquepoul, also seen as Picpoul, is a grape variety that has been around since the 16th century. This ancient white ...
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Primitivo
(Primitivo pronunciation: Pree-mee-TEE-voh) Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape widely planted in southern Italy in Puglia. This grape originated long ...
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Red Blend
The difference between a “varietal” and a “blended wine” is that varietals by law must have minimums of 75%-85% of a single grape, while blended wines can have ...
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Refosco
(Refosco pronunciation: Reh-fose-ko) Refosco is not one grape, but rather a group of ancient, closely related, dark skinned grapes found in Northern I ...
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Riesling
(Riesling pronunciation: REEZ-ling; or REES-ling) Riesling is one of the world’s most popular white grape varietals. Its origins trace back to t ...
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Rosé
(Rosé pronunciation: roh-ZAY) Rosé has been on the rise in recent years, and for good reason. The stereotype of pink wine is that it’s sweet, fruity an ...
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Roussanne
(Roussanne pronunciation: roo-SAHN) Roussanne is a finicky white wine grape that gets its name from the russet color of its ripe berries-roux in French ...
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Sangiovese
(Sangiovese pronunciation: san-joh-VAY-zeh) Known as a “chameleon,” the magic talent of the Sangiovese varietal is being able to alter itself to fit it ...
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Sauvignon Blanc
(Sauvignon Blanc pronunciation: SOH-vihn-yohn BLANGK) Wine lovers looking for a crisp, refreshing and straight forward white wine often turn to their f ...
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Sémillon
(Sémillon pronunciation: Sem-ee-yon) Gold Medal Wine Club has featured a number of Sémillon bottlings in our 6 wine of the month clubs over the years a ...
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Shiraz
(Shiraz pronunciation: shir-AHZ) If you see Shiraz on wine label it is almost certainly a product of Australia, South Africa or the United States. Vint ...
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Super Tuscan
(Super Tuscan pronunciation: Soo-pur Tuh-skn) Super Tuscan is an umbrella term coined in the early 1980s to describe a red blend from Tuscany. What ma ...
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Syrah
(Syrah pronunciation: see-RAH) Syrah are thick skinned purple-black red wine grapes that are among the top ten most planted varietals in the world. It ...
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Tannat
(Tannat pronunciation: tan-NAW) Tannat is a red wine grape that originally was found in the Basque region of France near Spain. It is distinguished by ...
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Tempranillo
(Tempranillo pronunciation: temp-ran-EE-oh) Tempranillo is an almost black grape widely grown in Spain to make full-bodied red. It is the main grape us ...
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Tinta de Toro
(Tinta de Toro pronunciation: TEEN-ta del Tohr-ow ) Tinta de Toro is a Spanish grape variety grown in the region of Toro in central Spain. This varie ...
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Tocai Friulano
(Tocai Friulano pronunciation: Tok-eye Froo-LAH-noh) The Tocai Friulano grape variety is most famous for its role in white wines of Friuli, northeaste ...
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Torrontes
(Torrontes pronunciation: toh-RON-taze) Torrontés has become one of Argentina’s iconic white wines and is grown in all the country’s winemaking regions ...
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Touriga Nacional
(Touriga Nacional pronunciation: too-REE-gah nah-syoo-NAHL) Touriga Nacional wines are considered by many to be Portugal’s premier red wine grape. The ...
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Trebbiano
(Trebbiano pronunciation: Treh-bee-ah-noh) Trebbiano is a white wine grape variety that originated in Italy. Six Italian varieties of the Trebbiano grap ...
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Verdejo
(Verdejo pronunciation: Vurr-day-ho) Verdejo is a lesser-known, light-bodied white wine grown almost entirely in Rueda, Spain. Rueda’s sandy, limesto ...
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Verdelho
(Verdelho pronunciation: ver-DEL-oh) The Verdelho grape is a relatively uncommon white wine varietal that originates from Portugal and has been most pr ...
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Vermentino
(Vermentino pronunciation: Vair-men-TEE-noh) Vermentino is a light-colored, thin-skinned grape grown mostly in Italy on the island of Sardinia. This ...
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Vernaccia
(Vernaccia pronunciation: Vair-NAH-chah) Vernaccia is one of the most common and famous white grape varieties found in numerous Italian wines. Its na ...
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Viognier
(Viognier pronunciation: vee-OHN-yay) Viognier is a thick-skinned, white-wine grape variety with a reputation for producing aromatic wines that tend to be ...
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White Blend
The term White Blend is an umbrella category for white grape blends that are not based on a standard regional composition. Winemakers blend grapes for a variet ...
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Zelo Bianco
(Zelo Bianco pronunciation: Zeh-loh Bee-ahn-koh) Zelo Bianco is a white wine blend inspired by the blends of Northeast Italy made using the Napa root ...
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Zinfandel
(Zinfandel pronunciation: zin-fan-DEL) Introduced to California during the Gold Rush era, the Zinfandel grape (also known by the it’s Italian name Prim ...
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