Global Wine Varieties: A World Tour of Wine Regions

Understanding the signature grape varieties of each wine region helps appreciate the diversity of global wine culture. From the robust reds of Australia to the crisp whites of Germany, each region has varieties that excel in their particular terroir.

Australia

South Australia

McLaren Vale:

• Shiraz: Full-bodied, chocolate and plum notes
• Grenache: Spicy, red fruit character
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Structured, blackcurrant flavours
• Chardonnay: Rich, stone fruit profiles

Barossa Valley:

• Shiraz: Bold, powerful, blackberry notes
• Grenache: Concentrated, spicy character
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Full-bodied, intense

Adelaide Hills:

• Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, tropical notes
• Chardonnay: Cool-climate elegance
• Pinot Noir: Delicate red fruits

Clare Valley:

• Riesling: Lime and mineral notes
• Shiraz: Peppered, medium-bodied
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Structured, minty

Western Australia

Margaret River:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Elegant, structured
• Chardonnay: Complex, mineral
• Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends

Victoria

Yarra Valley:

• Pinot Noir: Light, elegant
• Chardonnay: Cool-climate style
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Medium-bodied

France

Bordeaux

Left Bank:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Dominant variety
• Merlot: Blending component
• Petit Verdot: Small percentages

Right Bank:

• Merlot: Primary variety
• Cabernet Franc: Important component

Burgundy

Côte d'Or:

• Pinot Noir: Red Burgundy
• Chardonnay: White Burgundy

Chablis:

• Chardonnay: Mineral-driven whites

Champagne

• Chardonnay: Blanc de Blancs
• Pinot Noir: Structure and body
• Pinot Meunier: Roundness

Rhône Valley

Northern Rhône:

• Syrah: Sole red variety
• Viognier: Condrieu whites

Southern Rhône:

• Grenache: Primary red
• Syrah: Blending component
• Mourvèdre: Blending component

Loire Valley

• Sauvignon Blanc: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé
• Chenin Blanc: Vouvray
• Cabernet Franc: Chinon

Alsace

• Riesling: Dry style
• Gewürztraminer: Aromatic whites
• Pinot Gris: Rich style

Italy

Piedmont

• Nebbiolo: Barolo, Barbaresco
• Barbera: Everyday reds
• Dolcetto: Light reds

Tuscany

• Sangiovese: Chianti, Brunello
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Super Tuscans
• Merlot: Blending component

Veneto

• Corvina: Valpolicella, Amarone
• Garganega: Soave whites
• Pinot Grigio: Light whites

Spain

Rioja

• Tempranillo: Primary red
• Garnacha: Blending component
• Graciano: Small percentages

Ribera del Duero

• Tempranillo: Known as Tinto Fino
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Small amounts

Priorat

• Garnacha: Primary variety
• Cariñena: Important component

Germany

Mosel

• Riesling: Premier variety
• Müller-Thurgau: Secondary white

Rheingau

• Riesling: Dominant variety
• Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)

United States

California

Napa Valley:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Premier variety
• Merlot: Supporting role
• Chardonnay: Premium whites

Sonoma:

• Pinot Noir: Russian River Valley
• Chardonnay: Various regions
• Zinfandel: Traditional variety

Oregon

Willamette Valley:

• Pinot Noir: Primary variety
• Chardonnay: Growing importance
• Pinot Gris: Important white

Washington State

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Leading red
• Merlot: Traditional strength
• Syrah: Growing importance

New Zealand

Marlborough

• Sauvignon Blanc: Signature variety
• Pinot Noir: Growing importance
• Chardonnay: Cool climate style

Central Otago

• Pinot Noir: Premier variety
• Riesling: Cool climate whites

South Africa

Stellenbosch

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Premium reds
• Syrah: Growing importance
• Pinotage: Local variety

Franschhoek

• Chenin Blanc: Traditional white
• Sauvignon Blanc: Modern plantings
• Semillon: Historical importance

Argentina

Mendoza

• Malbec: Signature variety
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Important red
• Torrontés: Local white

Chile

Maipo Valley

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Premium reds
• Carmenere: Local specialty

Casablanca Valley

• Sauvignon Blanc: Cool climate whites
• Chardonnay: Premium whites
• Pinot Noir: Cool climate reds

Portugal

Douro Valley

• Touriga Nacional: Premium variety
• Touriga Franca: Port variety
• Tinta Roriz: Known as Tempranillo

Vinho Verde

• Alvarinho: Premium white
• Loureiro: Traditional variety

Austria

Wachau

• Grüner Veltliner: Signature white
• Riesling: Premium whites

Visit Our Online Cellar Door

At McLaren Vale Cellars, we showcase wines that demonstrate the unique characteristics of our region's premier varieties.