Grape field guide
The varieties behind the map.
Every grape named in the World Wine Explorer now has its own evidence-aware guide. Start with a name, then follow it into history, vineyard behaviour, sensory possibilities, styles, and regions.
107 grape pages3 berry-colour groups1 rule: characteristics, not guarantees
49 varieties
Dark-skinned grapes
The Peloponnese, GreeceAgiorgitikored cherry · plum · sweet spice1 mapped region →Southern Italy, especially Campania and BasilicataAglianicoblack cherry · plum · violet1 mapped region →Piedmont, ItalyBarberasour cherry · plum · violet1 mapped region →Central EuropeBlaufränkischblack cherry · blueberry · violet1 mapped region →Savoie, France, with its modern identity in ArgentinaBonardablack cherry · plum · violet1 mapped region →Ticino, SwitzerlandBondolared cherry · cranberry · violet1 mapped region →Western FranceCabernet Francraspberry · violet · graphite9 mapped regions →Bordeaux, FranceCabernet Sauvignonblackcurrant · cedar · graphite18 mapped regions →Central ItalyCanaiolored cherry · violet · dried herbs1 mapped region →North-eastern SpainCariñenablack cherry · plum · dried herbs3 mapped regions →Bordeaux, France, with its modern centre in ChileCarmenèreblack plum · red pepper · violet1 mapped region →Southern FranceCinsaultred cherry · raspberry · rose0 mapped regions →Valais, SwitzerlandCornalinblack cherry · blueberry · violet1 mapped region →Veneto, ItalyCorvinasour cherry · red plum · violet1 mapped region →Piedmont, ItalyDolcettoblack cherry · blueberry · violet1 mapped region →GermanyDornfelderblackberry · cherry · violet2 mapped regions →Burgundy, FranceGamayred cherry · raspberry · violet4 mapped regions →Aragón, Spain, with a competing Sardinian origin claimGarnachastrawberry · raspberry · orange peel10 mapped regions →Northern SpainGracianoblack cherry · violet · pepper1 mapped region →Aragón, Spain, with a competing Sardinian origin claimGrenachestrawberry · raspberry · orange peel10 mapped regions →Valais, SwitzerlandHumagne Rougewild berries · violet · dried herbs1 mapped region →Central EuropeLembergerblack cherry · blueberry · pepper1 mapped region →South-western FranceMalbecplum · blackberry · violet2 mapped regions →Southern FranceMarselanblackcurrant · plum · violet1 mapped region →Eastern SpainMataroblackberry · plum · game4 mapped regions →North-eastern SpainMazueloblack cherry · plum · dried herbs3 mapped regions →Bordeaux, FranceMerlotplum · black cherry · violet16 mapped regions →France, as a mutation within the Pinot familyMeunierred apple · raspberry · plum2 mapped regions →Eastern SpainMourvèdreblackberry · plum · game4 mapped regions →JapanMuscat Bailey Astrawberry · rose · candy1 mapped region →Piedmont and the Alpine foothills of north-west ItalyNebbiolorose · sour cherry · tar1 mapped region →Bordeaux, FrancePetit Verdotviolet · blackberry · graphite1 mapped region →Burgundy, FrancePinot Noirred cherry · raspberry · violet24 mapped regions →South AfricaPinotageblackberry · plum · banana1 mapped region →Central ItalySangiovesesour cherry · violet · dried herbs2 mapped regions →Georgia and the South CaucasusSaperaviblackberry · black plum · violet1 mapped region →Eastern France, under the name SyrahShirazblackberry · blueberry · violet11 mapped regions →Burgundy, FranceSpätburgunderred cherry · raspberry · violet24 mapped regions →Catalonia, SpainSumollred cherry · wild berries · herbs1 mapped region →Northern Rhône and the Alpine zone, FranceSyrahblackberry · blueberry · violet11 mapped regions →Madiran and the Pyrenean foothills, FranceTannatblackberry · plum · violet2 mapped regions →North-central SpainTempranillostrawberry · cherry · plum5 mapped regions →Northern PortugalTinta Cãored berries · violet · spice1 mapped region →North-central SpainTinta Rorizstrawberry · cherry · plum5 mapped regions →Douro, PortugalTouriga Francablackberry · violet · herbs1 mapped region →Northern PortugalTouriga Nacionalviolet · blackcurrant · bergamot1 mapped region →Northern GreeceXinomavrored cherry · violet · tomato1 mapped region →Dalmatia, present-day CroatiaZinfandelblackberry · raspberry · pepper3 mapped regions →AustriaZweigeltsour cherry · blackberry · violet0 mapped regions →
54 varieties
Pale-skinned grapes
The Cyclades, GreeceAidaniwhite flowers · lemon peel · pear1 mapped region →Galicia in north-west Spain and northern PortugalAlbariñolime · grapefruit · peach2 mapped regions →Castilla y León, SpainAlbillo Mayorapple · pear · fennel1 mapped region →Burgundy, FranceAligotélemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Santorini and the Aegean, GreeceAssyrtikolemon · grapefruit · smoke1 mapped region →The Aegean islands, GreeceAthirilemon blossom · pear · white peach1 mapped region →GermanyBacchuselderflower · hedgerow · grapefruit2 mapped regions →Galicia, Spain and northern PortugalCaiño Blancolime · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Burgundy, FranceChardonnaylemon · apple · pear29 mapped regions →The Alpine arc, with its strongest modern identity in western SwitzerlandChasselasgreen apple · pear · white flowers6 mapped regions →Loire Valley, FranceChenin Blancquince · apple · pear2 mapped regions →Piedmont, ItalyCorteselemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Upper Mosel and central EuropeElblinglemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →North-eastern HungaryFurmintgreen apple · quince · lime1 mapped region →Veneto, ItalyGarganegalemon · pear · white flowers1 mapped region →North-eastern SpainGarnacha Blancapear · white peach · fennel1 mapped region →North-eastern Italy and the Karst borderlandsGlerapear · green apple · white flowers2 mapped regions →North-western SpainGodellolemon · pear · white peach1 mapped region →Lower AustriaGrüner Veltlinergreen apple · lemon · white pepper0 mapped regions →Probably the Alpine or western European zoneGutedelapple · pear · white flowers6 mapped regions →HungaryHárslevelűlinden blossom · honey · pear1 mapped region →Eastern GeorgiaKisiapricot · pear · flowers1 mapped region →Minho, Portugal and Galicia, SpainLoureiroorange blossom · lemon · laurel1 mapped region →North-eastern SpainMacabeuapple · lemon · white flowers2 mapped regions →Northern Rhône, FranceMarsannepear · quince · honeysuckle1 mapped region →Burgundy, FranceMelonlemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →The eastern Mediterranean and a large ancient Muscat familyMoscatelorange blossom · grape · rose1 mapped region →The eastern Mediterranean and the ancient Muscat familyMoscatoorange blossom · grape · peach1 mapped region →GeorgiaMtsvanepear · white flowers · citrus1 mapped region →GermanyMüller-Thurgauwhite flowers · peach · lemon3 mapped regions →Andalusia, SpainPalominosubtle apple · almond · dough1 mapped region →Catalonia, SpainParelladaapple · pear · white flowers1 mapped region →Andalusia, SpainPedro Ximénezraisin · fig · date1 mapped region →Jurançon and the Pyrenean foothills, FrancePetit Mansengpineapple · apricot · citrus1 mapped region →Valais, Switzerland and the neighbouring Aosta ValleyPetite Arvinegrapefruit · rhubarb · white flowers1 mapped region →Burgundy, France, as a colour mutation within PinotPinot Blancapple · pear · white flowers5 mapped regions →Douro, PortugalRabigatolemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →German-speaking Switzerland and south-western GermanyRäuschlinglemon · green apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Rhine region, GermanyRieslinglime · green apple · peach16 mapped regions →Georgia and the South CaucasusRkatsiteligreen apple · quince · herbs1 mapped region →Northern Rhône, FranceRoussannepear · honeysuckle · herbs1 mapped region →The eastern Mediterranean Muscat family, long established in HungarySárga Muskotályorange blossom · grape · rose1 mapped region →Western FranceSauvignon Blancgooseberry · grapefruit · passion fruit10 mapped regions →Bordeaux, FranceSémillonlemon · fig · beeswax2 mapped regions →Central EuropeSilvanergreen herbs · pear · earth2 mapped regions →ArgentinaTorrontésorange blossom · rose · grape1 mapped region →Galicia, Spain and northern PortugalTreixadurapear · apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Central Italy, especially the MarcheVerdicchiolemon · green apple · fennel1 mapped region →The western MediterraneanVermentinolemon · white peach · flowers1 mapped region →San Gimignano, TuscanyVernaccialemon · apple · white flowers1 mapped region →Northern Rhône, FranceViognierapricot · peach · violet3 mapped regions →North-eastern SpainViuraapple · lemon · white flowers2 mapped regions →Burgundy, France, as a white Pinot mutationWeissburgunderapple · pear · white flowers5 mapped regions →Catalonia, SpainXarel·lolemon · pear · fennel1 mapped region →
4 varieties
Pink and grey-skinned grapes
The Upper Rhine and Alpine borderlands, as an aromatic pink-skinned selection of the Traminer/Savagnin familyGewürztraminerrose · lychee · ginger2 mapped regions →Burgundy, France, as a colour mutation of Pinot NoirGrauburgunderpear · apple · smoke11 mapped regions →JapanKoshuyuzu · lemon · white peach1 mapped region →Burgundy, France, as a colour mutation of Pinot NoirPinot Grispear · apple · smoke11 mapped regions →
A necessary limit
You cannot identify a grape from a tasting note—or a photograph.
Names, berry appearance, and aroma patterns can guide investigation. Formal identification depends on documented plant material, ampelographic comparison, and often DNA analysis. Treat every profile as a structured starting point.
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