email this pageQ. If European wine names weren’t so confusing I’d probably try more of them—wouldn’t it be better to just make everyone label wines based on the type of grape?
A. Making the translation from a popular grape variety to a European name can be a pain. But let’s not forget—varietal labeling isn’t exactly foolproof either. In some top U.S. regions for example, a wine labeled as a single grape variety may by law contain up to 25 percent other varieties. So, would a Bordeaux by any other name smell as sweet? To find out, try sampling these familiar grape varieties alongside their European counterparts:
- Cabernet Sauvignon—red Bordeaux (part of a blend, but the dominant grape in most regions of Bordeaux)
- Chardonnay—Chablis, white Burgundy (Bourgogne), Pouilly-Fuissé
- Merlot—red Bordeaux (part of a blend, but dominant in Bordeaux’ Pomerol and St. Emilion regions)
- Pinot Noir—red Burgundy (Bourgogne)
- Sangiovese—Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Sauvignon Blanc—Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, white Bordeaux (where it’s often the dominant grape in a blend)
- Syrah (also called Shiraz)—Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Côte Rôtie
- Tempranillo—Rioja (dominant grape in a blend)
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