ASC Fine Wine

Food and Wine Pairing


	Red Grape Varieties	White Grape Varieties
	Cabernet Sauvignon Gamay Merlot Nebbiolo Pinot Noir Sangiovese Shiraz Tempranillo Zinfandel	Chardonnay Gewurztraminer Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Viognier

Red Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is perhaps the world’s most well-known grape, and for good reason: it is the principal variety used in making most Bordeaux wines, including those usually recognized as the world’s best. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is late to ripen compared to other varieties, and requires a longer time to age in oak or bottle to bring out its complex flavors. Its thick skin enables “Cab” to grow in a wide range of climates, so today it is grown throughout the world. Good examples of wines made from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon include Chateau Cos d'Estournel from Bordeaux, and Santa Rita’s Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile.

Flavor characteristics: black currants, cedar, green pepper, mint, dark chocolate, tobacco, olives.

Gamay

Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make wines designed to be enjoyed young. It is most commonly grown in Beaujolais, France, and also grown quite extensively in the Loire Valley (notably Touraine). Traditionally, French wine lovers gather every year at the beginning of November to appreciate “Beaujolais Nouveau” – a Gamay wine produced and released only a few weeks after the harvest. Try the Chateau des Jacques Cru Moulin-a-vent from Beaujolais.

Flavor characteristics: strawberries, cherries, spice

Merlot

The basis for many fine, very aromatic wines, Merlot is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is less tannic and has a less intense blackberry flavor. It produces a softer, plumper, earlier-maturing wine. Merlot is best known as a component of many Bordeaux wines, including those made in the Pomerol and St-Emilion regions of Bordeaux. Used as a blending partner or on its own, Merlot is very much a wine of our times and enjoys enormous popularity throughout the world. Recommendation: try the Two Vines Merlot from Columbia Crest, Washington State, USA.

Flavor characteristics: Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with more plum and rose than blackcurrants, and more rich fruit cake spices.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is the renowned grape of the Piedmont region in Italy, used to produce Barolo and Barbaresco wines. This grape produces wines that range from smooth and silky, to fruity, full and robust. It ages superbly. Nebbiolo grows best on hills where it is allowed to ripen shrouded by autumn fog or “nebbia” – perhaps the word which may have inspired the grape’s name. The perfect example of a lush Nebbiolo wine is Gaja’s Barbaresco.

Flavor characteristics: cherries, leather, tobacco, dried herbs and chocolate

Pinot Noir

The red variety of the Burgundy and Champagne regions of France, the Pinot Noir grape is sweeter, less tannic and richer in texture than Cabernet Sauvignon, and generally can be enjoyed at a younger age. Pinot Noir is often regarded as the most difficult grape to grow successfully. In Burgundy, achieving sufficient ripeness is always a critical factor. In California and Australia, producers suffer the opposite problem: over-ripening. These grapes thrive in cool coastal areas such as those in New Zealand, Oregon, Washington State and northern California. Try the Villa Mt. Eden Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, or the Louis Jadot Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Some consider Pinot Noir the perfect partner for Chinese cuisine. See if you agree!

Flavor characteristics: raspberries, strawberries, cherries, cranberries, violets, roses, and game.

Sangiovese

Italy's most planted red wine grape. Sangiovese is the main grape in a majority of Italian red wines, most notably Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso Piceno. The best Sangiovese wines are full, firm, dry and slightly spicy, with good aging potential. The true essence of this grape can be found in Ruffino’s Chianti Classico Reserve Ducale.

Flavor characteristics: bitter cherries, spices, tobacco, raspberries and dried fruit

Shiraz

Called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah in the USA and France, this is Australia’s most planted wine grape variety; most Australian producers make a Shiraz wine of some sort. This varietal offers early drinking appeal, yet has the ability to age for many years, and will vary significantly in style and weight depending on where it is produced. The award- winning Wolf Blass President’s Selection Shiraz is a fine example of a typical rich, ripe, full-bodied Australian Shiraz. The Syrah blend Chateauneuf-du-Pape from France’s Rhone Valley offers softer berry and pepper characteristics. Torbreck’s “The Struie,” made from 100% Australian Shiraz grapes, is comparable in style to French Rhone wines.

Flavor characteristics: black pepper, chocolate, raspberries, blackberries, mixed spices, leather, game.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo is native to northern Spain, but is widely cultivated in both northern and central Spain. It ripens early (temprana is Spanish for “early”), is thick-skinned and gives good color and extract but low alcohol and acidity. In Spain’s Rioja region, it is often blended with the fiery Garnacha (Grenache) grape, and perhaps a little Mazuelo and Graciano. Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva is predominantly made from Tempranillo and Graciano and aged for 30 months in barrel. With earthy aromas, its raisin-like flavors leave a smooth impression in the mouth.

Flavor characteristics: strawberries and earthy, vegetal, raisin-like fruits

Zinfandel

Though many believe it originated from the Italian “Primitivo,” Zinfandel is today considered California's very own grape variety. The grapes can produce wines that range from pale pink and slightly sweet, to serious, oak aged, full-bodied wines, rich with ripe berry and spice flavors. Most Zinfandel wines are ready to drink early, but the more intense red wines have staying power and will age at least 10 years. So high is Zinfandel’s profile in California that these grapes have now been planted in many other warm wine regions around the world. For something slightly sweet that is best enjoyed chilled, Beringer's White Zinfandel fits the bill. To experience the full, spicy complexity of this varietal, try Seghesio’s Zinfandel.

Flavor characteristics: blackberries, cloves, cinnamon and freshly ground pepper

White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

The classic white grape of the Burgundy region of France, Chardonnay is perhaps the most popular and well known grape variety throughout the world. Wine makers like Chardonnay because it is relatively hardy and can be made into a wide range of different styles. Wine drinkers enjoy Chardonnay because it has no hard edges or aggressive acidity, and offers a smoother, creamier flavor profile. Chardonnay is also one of the principal grapes used to make Champagne. To experience the diversity of this varietal, compare the Louis Jadot Chardonnay from Burgundy with the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay from Western Australia.

Flavor characteristics: apples, pears, citrus fruits, melons, pineapples, peaches, butter, honey, vanilla, butterscotch, spice

Gewurztraminer

This varietal grows better in cool climates, and is found most commonly in the Alsace region of France, New Zealand and California. This grape’s name comes from wurtzig, the German word for spicy. Its main characteristics are lychee and rose petal flavors. Dry or semi-dry, Gewurztraminer is classified as an aromatic wine grape and is particularly suited to Asian dishes and spicy food. Trimbach Gewurtztraminer offers a distinctly Alsatian example of this variety.

Flavor characteristics: lychees, rose petals and spicy flavors

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Known as Pinot Gris in France and Pinot Grigio in Italy, this grape may have originated from the Pinot Noir variety. Nowadays, this grape is widely grown, but still most predominantly in Alsace and northern Italy, where it makes medium-bodied wines that are well balanced with delicate floral aromas. In Alsace, it is also used to produce the vendanges tardives or late harvested sweet wines. Try Lungarotti Pinot Grigio, a crisp, enjoyable wine from the Umbria region of Italy.

Flavor characteristics: melon, pear, subtle tropical and citrus fruits and often a honey or smoky flavor

Riesling

Riesling is the classic grape of Germany and produces wines with crisp fruit and citrus flavors. The color of a Riesling wine can range from pale green and fragile to sharp and golden. Flavors may range from lush and exotic, and from dry to sweet. Riesling thrives in cooler climates. It is a wine that can be drunk quite young, but sometimes has the potential to age for many years. To understand the influences that soil and climate have over this variety, compare the Riesling from Petaluma in South Australia with Trimbach Riesling from Alsace, France.

Flavor characteristics: crisp green apples, spiced baked apples, oranges, limes, passion fruit, honey and toast

Sauvignon Blanc

The word “Sauvignon” derives from the French sauvage, meaning wild. Sauvignon Blanc smells and tastes remarkably similar wherever it is planted, with distinct citrus character and a strong grassy element. In France, the twin appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume produce superior examples. Sauvignon Blanc is also widely planted in Bordeaux. In Australia, fine examples have emerged from the Adelaide Hills. California produces a distinct, full bodied, often oak-aged version sometimes called Fume Blanc. Chile also produces some lovely passion-fruit and citrus dominated examples, though perhaps the most renowned region is Marlborough in New Zealand. Try the Henri Bourgeois Sancerre from the Loire Valley, France or the Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Flavor characteristics: fresh cut grass, gooseberries, lemons and limes, currants, green beans and asparagus

Semillon

This white wine grape is native to Bordeaux, where it is primarily used to blend with Sauvignon Blanc, as its rich texture balances the Sauvignon’s natural acidity. Semillon also works well when blended with Chardonnay, providing weight and richness without diverting aromatic delicacy. Increasingly, Semillon is seen as the basis for single-grape wines, especially in the U.S. and Australia, where it makes a soft, medium-bodied, sometimes pleasantly musky white wine. Torbreck Woodcutter’s Semillon is a case in point: this fruity white wine offers wonderful honeyed citrus, almond, and flower aromas.

Flavor characteristics: lemons, pears, saffron, grass, asparagus, vanilla, sweet wood

Viognier

This rather rare grape variety can be difficult to grow, which is why it is almost exclusively found in the northern Rhone region of France. Viognier grapes make delicate white wines, and is also sometimes blended with red varieties like Syrah to soften the final product. Guigal’s Condrieu is made of 100% Viognier and has a golden yellow color, with wonderful orange blossom and apricot aromas.

Flavor characteristics: orange blossoms, apricots, tropical fruits, peaches, honey