Widely grown in Galacia (northwest Spain) and Portugal (where it is known as Alvarinho), Albariño produces distinctive, aromatic, high quality wines, one of the few Spanish white varieties used to produce a varietal win...
First release from Dr. Bruce Reisch's "no spray" grape breeding program at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva. High disease resistance and potential to produce red wines of good quality. Good resi...
Auxerrois is a full sibling of Chardonnay. Widely grown in the Alsace region of France where it produces a relatively low acid wine used for blending and as a varietal.
Grown primarily in the Piedmont, Barbera is the second most planted variety in Italy. It has a high level of natural acidity even when fully ripe, so is best suited for hot climates.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a vigorous, variety with late bud break and late maturity. It is one of the world's most widely renowned red wine varieties, grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectr...
An old Bordeaux variety largely replaced by Merlot in France, but widely grown in Chile where vines planted as Merlot turned out to be Carmenère. Ripens later than Merlot but earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cayuga White is one of the most productive and disease resistant varieties grown in New York and was Cornell University's first variety released specifically for winemaking. This versatile grape can be made into a semi-d...
Chambourcin is a late ripening grape that can produce a highly rated red wine when fully mature. It requires a long growing season and at least 3000 GDD to fully mature. Vines tend to over-produce, so some cluster thinni...
Chardonel is a productive, late-ripening white wine grape with improved winter hardiness over its Chardonnay parent. Can produce an excellent white wine when fruit is mature. Like Chardonnay, wines can be fermented and a...
Dornfelder is considered to be the most successful red German vinifera cross with substantial plantings in the late 20th Century. The wine is notable for its depth of color, good acidity, attractive aromatics, and abili...
Gewürztraminer is a musqué mutation of Traminer that produces compact clusters of small, spicy, pinkish-red grapes with high natural sugar and low acidity, so is best suited for cooler climates. The best wines exhibit ...
Gruner Veltliner is Austria's most widely planted grape and a staple in Eastern Europe, prized for producing dry, spicy, and peppery white wines. This late-ripening variety is well-suited for warmer regions, though it’...
Considered a success story of modern German vine breeding, Kerner became widely planted in Germany in the 1990s. Typically used to make high quality wines similar to Riesling in many respects including high acidity, but...
Malbec was once popular in Bordeaux, but plantings have declined as it is susceptible to various viticultural hazards such as frost, coulure, and bunch rot. Known to require a milder climate than varieties such as Merlot...
Merlot is Bourdeaux's most planted grape variety, known for its smooth texture and outstanding varietal wines, but often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Earlier ripening than Cabernet Sauvignon, but not as winter hardy.
Mourvédre is Spain's second-leading red variety (after Grenache) and is also a popular variety in southern France, and has been grown in California since the 1870s. Mourvédre needs a very warm climate with long summers...
Nebbiolo is native to the Piedmont region in northern Italy where it produces the region's most distinguished wines, and some of Italy's best, long-lived wines.
Noiret produces an excellent full-bodied, richly colored wine. The wines can resemble Shiraz (Syrah) with a distinct black pepper character, moderate tannins, and notes of raspberry, blackberry and mint. Vines are vigoro...
Norton (also known as Cynthiana) is a V. labruscana x V. aestivalis hybrid with a long history in eastern US wine production, particularly in Missouri and Virginia. Norton produces small to medium clusters of firm, round...
Petit Verdot is one of the classic black Bordeaux varieties. It is known for high quality where it can fully ripen, which is later than that of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Likely discovered in Burgundy in the late 19th century as a sport of Pinot Gris (itself a sport of Pinot Noir), Pinot Blanc is widely planted in central Europe. Sometimes confused with Chardonnay but often known for its ...
Pinot Gris is a lighter-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir that produces small, compact clusters of berries ranging in color from pink, to coppery-gray, to brownish-pink, even within the same cluster. Its low acidity makes t...
Pinot Noir is the classic red Burgundy cultivar, it ripens best under cool, dry conditions and is best suited for cool but moderate climates. Wines are lower in tannins and pigments than the other great French wine varie...
Regent is a relatively new German hybrid, mostly vinifera, with good fungal disease resistance. Regent wines can have intense color, high tannins, moderate acidity, and show aromas of cherry and black currant.