Name the 2 top wine varieties you can think of right now, off the tip of your brain. If you guessed Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot you are dead on. They are the top two most planted grapes in the world. Perhaps it’s because of their inherent quality. In truth, quality is only half of the answer; there’s more to this story than meets the eye. In an alternate reality, Touriga Nacional is the king of wine. Let’s explore the top wine grapes of the world and why they are at the top. You may be surprised at how much influence France has had in shaping the wine world. Imagine instead if Portugal (which was an equal wine nation to France during the Age of Conquest) spread its grapes to the New World. What would the most popular wines be then? The World’s Most Planted Grapes Why is Cabernet Sauvignon on Top? People talk a lot about quality and age-worthiness when it comes to wine. No doubt Cabernet Sauvignon has amazing attributes, but there are many wines that have complex flavors and age equally as long.

So why is Cabernet Sauvignon the most popular? One word: Marketing It’s weird to think that agricultural products fall into the same traps as manufactured products, but they do. For example, think about apples: Pink Lady, Gala, and Granny Smith are common preferences, but there are hundreds of thousands of different types of apples that you probably haven’t had the opportunity to try. Limited options reduce the opportunity for diversity. A lil’ history on why Bordeaux was perhaps the very best region to market their grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc originate from this region. The fact that you may already be exclusively familiar with these wines just shows you how integrated they’ve become. Another example is Burgundy: the original home of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Now imagine for a minute, that instead of France’s wines taking over the world, that Portugal did instead. What would be the top wines of the world in this mirror universe? If Portuguese wines ruled the world, what would we be drinking?

Portugal has over 250 different types of indigenous grapes in an area less than half the size of Washington State. The reason to choose Portugal is because it’s one of several countries (including Greece and Italy) that make a lot of wine but most of us haven’t even heard of their top ten wines! best wine boxes uk 2016So for fun, I will paint you a picture of the commonly available wines today and what their Portuguese equivalents are in terms of flavor and style.best hotels in france wine country Imagine an alternate universe where Portuguese grapes rule the world.top rated wine of all time Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Touriga Nacionalbest wine textbooks

Traditionally used for Port wine making, Touriga Nacional is deep, dark and lusty with notes of violets, currants and plum. It ages well and grows in one of the most breathtaking wine regions of the world: The Douro Merlot vs. Touriga Franca Touriga Franca is a grape variety with a little more acidity and fruitiness, similar to how Merlot is to Cabernet Sauvignon.famous french wine expert Both Encruzado and Antão Vaz would take the role of the baked apple and lemon flavors in a rich Chardonnay. best wine stores chicago areaJust like with Chardonnay, the amount of oak aging used on these varieties will change the flavor from zesty to buttery.best red wine in the world 2009 Jaen (more commonly known as Mencia in Spain) is a grape with a lot of up front flavor, similar to Syrah. top red wines in nz

It can be made both bold and sweet, like Shiraz in Australia; or savory and earthy like the Syrah from the Northern Rhône. Pinot Noir vs. Baga For the longest time, Baga was a throwaway grape because it was poorly farmed. Surprisingly, it can produce both delicately light and smooth red wines as well as wonderful sparkling wines. red wine year 2000If more Portuguese wineries invested in making quality Baga, it would be as good as Pinot Noir. Pinot Gris vs. Alvarinho Alvarinho (a.k.a. Albariño) is a refreshingly acidic white wine that puts out fruit characteristics of lemon, peach and flowers in the same way that Pinot Gris does. What are the wines I don’t know on the top 10 list? There are two wines mentioned in the infographic that are not commonly known: Both of these wines are medium bodied white wines that were planted heavily in Spain (Airen) and Italy (Trebbiano) during the early 1900’s.

This was due to their drought resistance and ability to produce quantity grapes for brandy production. Today, hundreds of thousands of acres are replaced every 10 years to plant with more popular varieties. Check the wine grape database by Kym Anderson on adelaide.eduEnjoying wine with dinner, with friends, or even with your favorite book is a time-honored tradition that never gets old. But with thousands of wines in the world to choose from, how do you make sense of them? Find out what makes different wines unique and how best to enjoy the six most popular wine types in the world. Here’s an easy way to understand any wine list: learn the most popular, key varieties. Since a handful of grapes are universal (and planted in most wine-producing countries), their basic characteristics remain the same, no matter where or how the wine is made. Understanding the top six wine types you’re bound to encounter, which includes three reds and three whites, will make any wine list instantly manageable.

Check them out below. Here are 3 of the most popular types of red wine: Widely known as a “cab,” this wine is a powerhouse, known for its full body, big tannins and notes of cherry, cedar and tobacco. Pair it with grilled steak or lamb. Cab is the most widely planted wine grape in the world. Less tannic than a cab, merlot has a plush, velvety mouthfeel and berry fruit flavors. This is a great match with BBQ or hearty stews. Merlot sales suffered for years after Paul Giamatti ridiculed it in the movie Pinot noir’s thin skin accounts for its light color and body. Fans of this elegant red value its complexity: berry, floral and earthy qualities all in one glass. Don’t hesitate to pair this versatile red with fish! : “Pinot” comes from the French word for “pine cone.” The grape was given its name due to the grape cluster’s cone shape. Below are 3 of the most well-known white wine varieties: A chameleon, chardonnays come in a variety of styles.

Aged in oak, a chardonnay takes on a buttered, movie-popcorn quality. Unoaked, its orchard and citrus fruit notes get to shine. Lobster, poultry and butter sauces are perfect mates with this medium-bodied white. Chardonnay is the most popular wine in the U.S. Often mistakenly assumed to always be “sweet,” riesling runs the gamut from bone-dry to dessert-worthy. Luscious apricot and tree fruit aromas balance the minerality in these high-acid wines, delectable with curries and similarly spicy dishes. Riesling’s signature slim bottle was invented for easy transportation down the Rhine River. Sauvignon Blanc lovers revere it for its tart citrus, bell pepper and herbaceous qualities. Shellfish and pork pair especially well with this fresh and lively wine. Some describe Sauv Blanc as having a “cat pee” aroma (in a good way!) Although not a grape variety, Champagne and bubblies are not just for special occasions. The best show aromas of pear and apple, along with toasty and nutty notes.