A Deep Dive into the Most Popular Wine Varietals

The world of wine can seem overwhelming to any newbie. With tens of thousands of wine varietals worldwide, you may not know where to start. 

In this article, we're breaking down the most notable red and white wine varietals so you can dive head-first into the world of wine.

What Are Wine Varietals?

"Varietal" refers to a wine made from a single grape variety, as explained below. A varietal wine stands independently instead of being incorporated into a blend containing many different grape varieties.

Let’s start with a breakdown of the most popular red wines.

Red Wine Varietals

Red wine is a decadent choice for many wine enthusiasts. It pairs with everything from classic appetizers like cheese and nuts to hearty pastas and decadent desserts. Here are some of the most popular red wines that continue to withstand time. 

1. 1. Cabernet Sauvignon 

Deemed the most popular red wine in the world, this wine is known for its robust structure, full tannins, and complementary marriage of black cherry and black currant with cedar and spices. This varietal has been historically used in Bordeaux blends along with Merlot.

Food Pairings

Serve Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled lamb, hearty poultry, pork, stuffed mushrooms, charcuterie, and hearty pasta dishes with tomato-based sauce. 

Wine Fact: Wines labeled as "Bordeaux Blends" aren't required to include the grape varieties used. 

1. 2. Merlot

With softer tannins and its renowned plum-like bouquet mixed with blackcurrant, red fruit flavors, and even some floral notes, Merlot's name comes from the French word for "blackbird." Merlot is classified as a medium to full-bodied red wine.

Food Pairings

Merlot tastes excellent with beef, duck, filet mignon, veal, cheese, mushroom, salmon, pasta with herbaceous tomato sauce, and chocolate desserts. 

1. 3. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a top-rated light-bodied red wine, full of fresh red berry notes like strawberry, cranberry, and cherry. With earthy forest floor undertones, this red is ideal for grilled meats and vegetables. 

Food Pairings

Pair Pinot Noir with grilled stuffed mushrooms and barbecued meats like ribs.

1. 4. Syrah/Shiraz

This next wine on our list goes by different names depending on where you find it. New World Syrah's are fruit-forward with spice notes, whereas those found in Old World regions like France tend to be more acidic. Along with its spice, Syrah also brings heat with its higher alcohol content.

Food Pairings

Syrah is ideal for barbecued pork, lamb, hearty mushroom dishes, and dense cheeses.

1. 5. Malbec 

Malbec is a spicy and savory wine with hints of blackberry, plum, clove, and pepper. The purple grapes this wine is made from produce dark wine with robust tannins. Like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Malbec is another varietal commonly used in Bordeaux blends. 

Food Pairings

Malbec tastes decadent with blue cheese burgers, lamb, wild rice with mushroom, and sirloin. 

1. 6. Grenache 

This varietal is among the few permitted in France's famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine. Grenache is characterized by its soft, light berry flavors and is often used to make sparkling wines like Rosé.

Food Pairings

Grenache stands up to hearty stews and pub classics like shepherd's pie. 

1. 7. Tempranillo

Now that we've explored some of the top French red wines, we're moving on to our first fully Spanish varietal on the list. Tempranillo is known for its earthy and fruity flavors with hints of fig and blackberry notes. 

Food Pairings

Tempranillo is an easy pairing for Mexican dishes, pasta, and grilled meats. 

1. 8. Sangiovese

This decadent wine is medium-bodied with hints of raspberry and licorice. It comes from a blue-black grape of the same name and is most commonly used with other varieties to make the Tuscan wine blend Chianti. 

Food Pairings

Sangiovese is divine when paired with pecorino cheese, lamb chops, pork, grilled juicy steaks, and pasta with Bolognese sauce. 

We've addressed some of the best classic red wine varietals. Let's peer into some of the world's most sought-after white wines. 

White Wine Varietals

Some of these white wines were first discovered in the Middle Ages and have managed to maintain a high-status today. Below are some of the most popular types of white wine you will find just about anywhere.

1. 1. Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a dry white wine characterized by its tropical and stone fruit notes and its creamy, vanilla textures depending on how it ages. Oak barrel aging gives this wine its buttery, warm, caramel-like flavors. A steel-aged Chardonnay will taste much lighter, crisper, and fruitier. 

Food Pairings

Pair a buttery Chardonnay with lobster, halibut, scallops, or apple pie. 

1. 2. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its crisp taste and high acidity levels. It most commonly bears passion fruit, peach, and grapefruit notes. However, this wine is an unmistakably grassy note in New Zealand that many Sommeliers pine after.

Food Pairings

Sauvignon Blanc is great with spring vegetables, fresh shellfish, and summer salads. 

1. 3. Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is known for its high acidity and is characterized by delicate floral notes like jasmine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and apple blossom. The Chenin Blanc wine grape is used to make everything from dry to sparkling to sweet wines today.

Food Pairings

Pair Chenin Blanc with Asian dishes that have a sweet and sour sauce for an adventurous flavor combination. This wine is also outstanding with cheese, turkey, and fresh vegetables.

1. 4. Riesling

Riesling is a German wine ranging from dry to semi-sweet to very sweet in flavor. This perfumey, aromatic white wine is highly acidic and boasts fresh nectarine, apple, and pear notes. 

Food Pairings

Pair a sweet Riesling with spicy Thai food dishes. 

1. 5. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio, also known as "Pinot Gris," is a dry, crisp white wine with peach, pear, and apricot notes, though it may lean towards a more citrus and green apple expression when grown in cooler climates. This wine is most prominent in Northeast Italy. 

Food Pairings

Pinot Grigio is an easy choice for fresh fish, salads, light pasta dishes, and chicken doused in herbs.

1. 6. Viognier

If you're looking for an aromatic wine, this varietal has it all with its rose petal, tangerine, and citrus bouquet. Originally from the Rhône Valley wine region, Viognier is the only varietal permitted in France's Condrieu wine.

Food Pairings

Viognier is decadent with soft aged cheese like Gouda and almonds. 

1. 7. Muscat

Also known as "Moscato," this wine is on the sweeter side with fruit-forward peach, nectarine, and orange flavors. It also bears a pronounced floral aroma. This varietal is primarily produced in Italy's Piedmont region, where it's most famous as the sparkling sweet wine Moscato d'Asti.

Food Pairings

Pair a sweet Moscato with spicy and salty dishes. This wine's sweetness levels can handle the highest spice levels in almost every cuisine. 

1. 8. Gewürztraminer

Last but certainly not least, we have the German varietal, Gewürztraminer, made from a grape with naturally high sugar content. This gives the medium-bodied white wine anywhere from a touch of sweetness in the glass to a tooth-achingly sweet taste. The most prominent tasting notes for the wine include lychee, rose petal, passion fruit, and pineapple. 

Food Pairings

Pair Gewürztraminer with washed rind cheeses, duck, smoked salmon, and truffles. 

Find Your Favorite Wine Varietal at Drinks

Your favorite wine varietal comes down to your taste. Feel free to try several of these on our list to find which ones you like best. 

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