Types of grapes used in wine
The world of wine can be dizzyingly complex and even more so when one considers the types of grapes used in wine. It helps to think of this subject as an artist’s palette. Just as in the making of a work of art, winemakers use different types of grapes to make interesting and enjoyable wines. And just as there are a myriad of colours, there are many, many types of wine grapes.
Wine grape origins
All cultivars used for wine are part of the Vitis vinifera species, and as with wheat and other crops, Vitis vinifera once grew wild. When it was discovered wine could be made from its berries – a practice archaeologists believe to have originated around Georgia and Turkey – the plant was embraced as a crop for farming. As the species was transported around the world, it began to adapt to new conditions. Our understanding of the species also increased and eventually, the types of grapes used in wine today emerged. This includes many countries developing new varieties in the Vitis vinifera family, such as South Africa’s Pinotage. It is by no means a process that has come to an end. Changing climates and improved understanding means that Vitis vinifera continues to evolve.
Grapes used in South Africa Wine
For interest’s sake, South Africa has some 90 000ha (2022) under vines to produce wine which are spread across several regions, including places such as Bonnievale. About 65% of all grapes are used for making white wine and the rest for red which from these two alone, all wine styles flow, from bubblies to rosé and even de-alcoholised expressions. The types of grapes used in wine in South Africa are tightly regulated. The Department of Agriculture authorises what may be planted and the Wine & Spirit Board is the gatekeeper of which cultivars may be used for wine production. The difference between the two makes allowance for varieties to be planted for experimentation, but this means there are two lists. The former comprises some 400 varieties and the latter, about 100. South Africa’s main types of grapes used in wine, where white wine is concerned, are:
- Chenin blanc
- Sauvignon blanc
- Chardonnay
- Colombar
Others that may be familiar include Crouchen (Riesling), Grenache blanc, Muscat de Frontignan, Roussanne, Semillon, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Vermentino, Ugni blanc, and Nouvelle. The types of wine grapes used in South African red wine are mainly:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinotage
- Shiraz (Syrah)
- Merlot
In addition, there are varieties of wine such as Carignan, Barbera, Cinsault, Grenache, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Durif, Pinot noir, Souzão, Tinta Barocca, Touriga Naçiona, Zinfandel, Ruby Cabernet, Tannat and Tempranillo. Once one appreciates the scale of this diversity, the world of wine is transformed from being confusing to being an exciting place to begin exploring and it’s all due to the types of grapes used in wine.
