Auxerrois: (ox-er-wah) Produces a white table wine sometimes referred to as Pinto Auxerrios.
Baccus: A cross of Riesling and Sylvander grape varieties.
Cabernet Franc: (cab-er-nay frangk, black grape) Wines made in Canada from this variety are high quality and softer than Cabernet Sauvignon. Franc has fewer tannins and less acidity, the fruit is better suited to cooler climates. This variety is also important in the Bordeaux and Loire regions of France. Also found in Italy. Delicious when served young and slightly chilled. Complex when decanted at 10 years of age.
Cabernet Sauvignon: (cab-er-nay so-vin-yonh, black grape) Regarded as the top red wine grape in the world. Cabs produced in Canada are in big in structure and flavour. This is thee grape of choice of the best vineyards of Bordeaux. Grown in Chile, USSR , USA and South Africa, Australia and Bulgaria.
Chambourcin: (sham-bor-sin) Grown in Canada with its origins from the French Rhone. Used to make good quality reds with spicy, fruity and grassy flavours. Suitable growing condition includes mild winters.
Chancellor: Fruit/grape used to produce red wine.
Chardonnay: (shar-dun-nay, white grape) Because it is easy to grow and versatile, Canada's cooler climate regions are also producing excellent Chardonnays. The grape may have originated in the north of France where about half of it is used to produce Champagne. It is often blended with Pinot Noir. Flavours of tropical fruit and buttered toast. Touted as the world's most popular grape.
Chasselas: (white grape) Chasselas grapes produce light bodied, neutral wines. Home of the chasselas grape is Switzerland so they are a natural with cheese fondue. And fondues are making a come back as a great way to entertain a group. Literally tons of these grapes are harvested in Canada and Europe.
Chelois: A red hybrid.
Ehrenfelser: (ehr-en-fehl-zehr) Makes a good wine because of its high sugar content. Ripens earlier than Riesling and is used for table and dessert wines. Ehrenfelser has an advantage in climates like Canada, as it is less susceptible to frost. Named after a castle on the Rhine River, the fruit is often planted in northern Germany. Flavour goes well with many foods.
Eona: Used as a table grape. Grown in Canada and the United States. Winter hardy grape to -35 degrees F. (Yikes!)
Gamay Noir: Produces a light lively wine.
Gewurztraminer: (gaa-verts-traa-mee-ner) Best consumed young, before 5 years. Clean, crisp and spicy perfume flavour makes it an ideal accompaniment with poultry and fish. Lychee-like nose distinguishes it from any other wine. (Lychee, one of China's fruits, delicate creamy white, sweet flavour.) Late harvest grapes make tasty dessert wines. Grown in Canada, Germany, France, and California.
Kerner: Originating as a cross between Trollinger, a red grape and Riesling a white grape. Wine produced has a light Muscat bouquet and a lively acidity.
L'Acadie: Clean orchard fruit flavours are the result in wines produced. Tastes of peach, apricot, and apple. Canada.
Lemberger: (lihm-buhr-guhr) Cold-hardy wine grape fits with Canada. Mild tannins with a chocolate/raspberry flavour. Wines made from this grape can often have low levels of histamines. Histamines in high amounts may cause headaches in people with food sensitivities.
Leon Millot: Planted in Canada and the wine region of Alsace. Berry flavours. Referred to as "le medicin du vin (wine doctor)" for its ability to increase the color intensity of red wine.
Marechal Foch: Thrives in Canada as it has cold tolerance to -20 degrees F. Light tasting with a deep color it is sometimes referred to as having a "Burgundian" character. Burgundy France, has the distinction of being the place where "good eating" first came into being.
Merlot: (murlow, black grape) France has always appreciated Merlot on it's own and New World winemakers in Canada are starting to feel the same. The wine developed from this variety is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon though softer and it ages more rapidly. It is easily the most popular grape variety in Bordeaux (France) and it is found throughout Italy, Eastern Europe and the Western United States.
Muscat: (muhs-cat, white and black grapes) Grown in Canada, with Argentina, Spain and USSR being large producers. A sweet musky flavour is characteristic of the beverage. Warm climate producers of sparkling wines use Muscat grape clones to create wines in the style of Italian Spumante.
Muscat Ottonel: May be a cross between Chasselas and Muscat during the 19th century. Best use is for a late harvest white wine. Cold hardiness grape grown in Germany, United States and Canada.
Ortega Grape: Cross between Muller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe varieties mostly used for white wine blending. Cold-hardy grape found in Germany and Canada. Comparable to Riesling.
Pinot Blanc: (pee-noh blahn, white grape) Crisp and dry with less intensity than Chardonnay. Known as the "poor man's" Chardonnay due to lower purchase price. Drink young before flavour weakens. Grown in Canada, Alsace, Italy, Germany and Austria.
Pinot Gris: (pee-noh gree) Grape produces wines that are medium bodied with nice floral aromas. Grown in Canada, Alsace, Germany and Italy where it is known as Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Noir: (pea-no no-are, red grape) Grown in Canada, the grape originates in France where it is used to produce the red wines of Burgundy. The grape yields spicy, complex wines. Delicate yet intense flavor. Pinot Noirs go well with most foods.
Riesling: (reez-ling, white grape) Regarded as the world's greatest white table wine variety. Riesling is native to Germany where it is believed to have been cultivated for the last 500 years or maybe the last 2000 years. USSR, Australia and California are large producers. Of all white grapes, it is Riesling that ages successfully for decades. It is also harvested in Canada.
Samtrot: Similar to Pinot Noir with a deep colour but softer, rich floral hints.
Sauvignon Blanc: (soh-vihn-yohn blahn) One of the main grapes in France used to produce the fine dry wines from Bordeaux (Graves) and the Loire Valley (Pouilly-Fume). Produced in Canada as well as much of the New World especially New Zealand. Sharp, tangy, gooseberry flavour. Often blended with Semillon.
Schoenburger: Found in cool climates like Canada, England and Germany. Other names are Rosa Muskat and Geisenheim. Gives full fruity wines.
Semillon: (say-mee-yohn, white grape) Found in Canada and in France, it is the second most important white wine variety and it is used in the Bordeaux. Sometimes blended with Sauvigon Blanc. The grape is susceptible to botrytis making it a splendid choice for dessert wines. The grape is widely grown in Chile and planted in California, Australia and Argentina.
Shiraz: (shah-razz, black grape) Known as Syrah in France, Shiraz is Australia's principal red wine grape. Stronger and more age worthy than Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvested in Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Italy. Wines produced hold the flavours of blackberries, black currants and plums. Silky texture and gamey when fully mature.
Trebbiano: (white grape) Important grape to Italy where is called Trebbianco Toscano. Grape produces dry wines high in acid. It is also grown Canada, South Africa, Argentina and California.
Valiant: Cold-hardy red wine grape found in Canada.
Vidal Blanc: Hybrid from French-American. The fruit produces a white wine, Riesling like in taste. Wine is balanced between fruity and floral.
Viognier: This wine grape is experiencing resurgence in popularity. It's home is the Rhone Valley of France and more recently it has been found in Canada, Australia, California and South America. Layered flavours of apricots, peaches and flowers. Wines developed have a medium body, perfumed and exotic taste. Often described as velvety and luscious.
Zweigelt: (red grape) Red wine produced in Canada from this fruit is light, spicy with a long finish.
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