Grape Variety Guide
Learn about the world's most important wine grapes. From bold Cabernet Sauvignon to elegant Pinot Noir, discover characteristics, regions, and pairings.
Red
22 varieties catalogued. From the everyday to the famously austere.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The king of red grapes, known for bold tannins, dark fruit, and exceptional aging potential.
Grown in Bordeaux and 3 more
02Pinot Noir
The elegant heartbreak grape, producing silky wines with remarkable terroir expression.
Grown in Burgundy and 4 more
03Merlot
Approachable red grape with soft tannins, plush texture, and ripe fruit character.
Grown in Bordeaux
04Syrah / Shiraz
Powerful red grape producing dark, intense wines with remarkable depth and spicy character.
Grown in Barossa Valley
05Tempranillo
Spain's noble red grape, known for cherry flavors, leather notes, and exceptional oak aging …
Grown in Rioja
06Sangiovese
Italy's most important red grape, producing Chianti and Brunello with bright cherry fruit and firm …
Grown in Tuscany
07Grenache / Garnacha
Mediterranean workhorse grape producing generous, fruit-forward wines with ripe berry flavors.
Grown in Rioja and 1 more
08Nebbiolo
Italy's most noble grape, producing Barolo and Barbaresco with extraordinary complexity and aging …
Grown in Piedmont
09Touriga Nacional
Portugal's finest indigenous grape, producing deeply colored wines with floral aromatics and firm …
Grown in Douro Valley
10Malbec
Argentina's signature grape, producing rich, velvety wines with intense purple color and plush …
Grown in Mendoza
11Pinotage
South Africa's unique signature grape, producing wines ranging from smoky and rustic to elegant and …
Grown in Stellenbosch
12Gamay
Beaujolais' joyful grape, producing light-bodied, fruit-forward reds with bright acidity.
Grown in Burgundy
13Zinfandel
California's bold signature grape, producing jammy, peppery reds from old-vine plantings.
Grown in Sonoma County
14Barbera
Piedmont's food-friendly red grape with bright acidity, juicy fruit, and low tannins.
Grown in Piedmont
15Cabernet Franc
Elegant parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, producing aromatic, herbaceous reds in the Loire Valley.
Grown in Loire Valley and 1 more
16Montepulciano
Italy's dark-fruited value champion, best known as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
17Mourvèdre
Bold Mediterranean red, dark fruit, game, and garrigue. The backbone of Bandol.
Grown in Provence and 1 more
18Syrah / Shiraz
One grape, two personalities, peppery French Syrah meets bold Australian Shiraz.
Grown in Rhône Valley and 1 more
19Nerello Mascalese
Sicily's volcanic Pinot Noir, pale, elegant, and mineral from Mount Etna's slopes.
Grown in Sicily
20Corvina
The cherry-driven heart of Amarone and Valpolicella, fresh to powerful.
Grown in Veneto
21Cinsault
Soft, perfumed, and essential, the quiet star of Provence rosé and Southern Rhône blends.
Grown in Provence and 1 more
22Nero d'Avola
Sicily's noble black grape, dark fruit, warm spice, and Mediterranean generosity.
Grown in Sicily
White
14 varieties catalogued. From the everyday to the famously austere.
Chardonnay
The world's most popular white grape, offering styles from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery.
Grown in Burgundy and 4 more
02Sauvignon Blanc
Refreshingly crisp white grape with vibrant acidity and distinctive herbaceous notes.
Grown in Bordeaux and 2 more
03Riesling
Aristocratic white grape producing wines from bone-dry to lusciously sweet with incredible aging …
Grown in Mosel
04Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
One grape, two styles, crisp Italian whites and rich Alsatian aromatics.
Grown in Alsace
05Gewurztraminer
Intensely aromatic Alsatian grape with unmistakable lychee, rose petal, and exotic spice character.
Grown in Alsace
06Viognier
Luxurious Rhone white grape with intoxicating apricot and floral perfume and rich, full body.
Grown in Rhone Valley
07Semillon
Golden grape producing Sauternes dessert wines and remarkably age-worthy dry whites.
Grown in Bordeaux
08Muscat
Ancient aromatic grape family producing styles from sparkling Moscato to fortified dessert wines.
Grown in Alsace
09Albarino
Spain's crisp Atlantic white grape with saline minerality and vibrant stone fruit flavors.
Grown in Rias Baixas
10Chenin Blanc
Highly versatile white grape producing styles from bone-dry to lusciously sweet with remarkable …
Grown in Loire Valley and 1 more
11Grüner Veltliner
Austria's signature white grape, known for its distinctive white pepper spice and remarkable food …
Grown in Wachau and 1 more
12Pinot Gris
The rich, aromatic side of Pinot Grigio, stone fruit, honey, and spice from Alsace and Oregon.
Grown in Alsace
13Glera
The grape behind Prosecco, fresh, fruity, and endlessly refreshing.
Grown in Veneto
14Moscato
Italy's sweetly aromatic charmer, peach, apricot, and orange blossom in a glass.
Grown in Piedmont
Pour your way through 40+ grapes.
Sommo links every bottle you scan to the grape it came from. Build your palate map, region by grape.