For people who aren’t sure where to start in wine tasting or people interested in learning more about each grape type, we’ve described the seven most common grape types. They are listed here in order of the lightest to the heaviest and are Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah (or Shiraz). These make up the bulk of what we buy and drink, but don’t let it limit you. You can usually find Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer in our house as well.

Start here reading the descriptions, but of course, the best way to learn about the grape types is to try different ones. Get some friends together and try the three different white grapes described here or the red grapes. Drink them from lightest to heaviest to get the most out of each. You can also try a couple different wines of the same grape from different regions (e.g., Rieslings from Washington state, France and Germany).

Riesling (REES-ling)
Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling and Rhine Riesling all come from the Riesling grape although Welschriesling and Italian Riesling do not. Riesling is very aromatic and flavors can go from all kinds of fruits to honey, minerals, and flowers. These wines have a crisp acidity that is very refreshing and are great when enjoyed young. However, some are intended to be aged and can show a different side of Riesling. The flavor of this grape can vary by region, so if you find one you like, try others from the same region.

Sauvignon Blanc (Sow-veen-yone BLAHNC)
Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Fumé Blanc are all made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It is known for its very distinctive flavor of grass and gooseberry. We don’t normally eat gooseberries, so to us, the gooseberry flavor tastes like grapefruit. It can also have a hint of citrus to it. The Sauvignon Blancs can be a great value and are very versatile. They go well with many foods including foods that can be difficult to pair like vegetarian, Mexican, salads and sushi.

Chardonnay (Shahr-duh-NAY)
The Chardonnay grape makes both Chardonnay wine as well as Chablis. It is a full-bodied white wine. When a Chardonnay matures, it develops complex flavors that are rich and varied. Flavors can include nuts, butter, toast, mushrooms, smoke, apple, lemon, peach or melon. It can be very rich when matured in oak barrels.

Red Grapes

Pinot Noir (PEE-no NWAHR)
When a Pinot Noir is good, it’s great. It is sweeter than the Cabernet Sauvignon with less tannin and a smooth, silky texture. The flavors are varied and can include rose, berries, cherry and mushrooms. It is rarely blended, except when in sparkling wines. It is a fickle grape to grow and develop it’s full potential, so it can be on the more expensive side, but is truly worth it.

Merlot (Murr-LOW or Mare-LOW)
The Merlot grape has great appeal to many wine drinkers. Juicy and flavorful without too much tannin, its flavors can include black cherry, berries, plum, vanilla, toffee, spice or even chocolate. Merlot from the US can be quite different from other regions, so try different regions to get different flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon (Cab-uhr-NAY Sow-veen-YONE)
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape has a very distinctive taste that is easy to identify. It will always taste like a Cabernet regardless of where it is grown, the climate or even when mixed with other grapes (such as with Merlot as in Bordeaux). It has a rich color and powerful blackcurrant (a sweet and sharp flavored fruit) aroma. It has a lot of tannin, so it takes time to mature and is often aged in oak and bottle. You can get an excellent Cabernet at every price level.

Syrah (Suh-RAH) or Shiraz (Shuh-raz)
The Syrah grape (Shiraz in Australia) packs a lot of flavor and makes some great wines. The flavors in Syrah include blackberry, plum, pepper, smoke and sometimes chocolate. Syrah can have loads of tannins, but when matured, the tannins mellow and the flavor can be extraordinary.