LibraryThe Sommo grape index

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 grapes

Red

22 varieties catalogued. From the everyday to the famously austere.

22varieties
01

Cabernet Sauvignon

The king of red grapes, known for bold tannins, dark fruit, and exceptional aging potential.

Grown in Bordeaux and 3 more

02

Pinot Noir

The elegant heartbreak grape, producing silky wines with remarkable terroir expression.

Grown in Burgundy and 4 more

03

Merlot

Approachable red grape with soft tannins, plush texture, and ripe fruit character.

Grown in Bordeaux

04

Syrah / Shiraz

Powerful red grape producing dark, intense wines with remarkable depth and spicy character.

Grown in Barossa Valley

05

Tempranillo

Spain's noble red grape, known for cherry flavors, leather notes, and exceptional oak aging …

Grown in Rioja

06

Sangiovese

Italy's most important red grape, producing Chianti and Brunello with bright cherry fruit and firm …

Grown in Tuscany

07

Grenache / Garnacha

Mediterranean workhorse grape producing generous, fruit-forward wines with ripe berry flavors.

Grown in Rioja and 1 more

08

Nebbiolo

Italy's most noble grape, producing Barolo and Barbaresco with extraordinary complexity and aging …

Grown in Piedmont

09

Touriga Nacional

Portugal's finest indigenous grape, producing deeply colored wines with floral aromatics and firm …

Grown in Douro Valley

10

Malbec

Argentina's signature grape, producing rich, velvety wines with intense purple color and plush …

Grown in Mendoza

11

Pinotage

South Africa's unique signature grape, producing wines ranging from smoky and rustic to elegant and …

Grown in Stellenbosch

12

Gamay

Beaujolais' joyful grape, producing light-bodied, fruit-forward reds with bright acidity.

Grown in Burgundy

13

Zinfandel

California's bold signature grape, producing jammy, peppery reds from old-vine plantings.

Grown in Sonoma County

14

Barbera

Piedmont's food-friendly red grape with bright acidity, juicy fruit, and low tannins.

Grown in Piedmont

15

Cabernet Franc

Elegant parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, producing aromatic, herbaceous reds in the Loire Valley.

Grown in Loire Valley and 1 more

16

Montepulciano

Italy's dark-fruited value champion, best known as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

17

Mourvèdre

Bold Mediterranean red, dark fruit, game, and garrigue. The backbone of Bandol.

Grown in Provence and 1 more

18

Syrah / Shiraz

One grape, two personalities, peppery French Syrah meets bold Australian Shiraz.

Grown in Rhône Valley and 1 more

19

Nerello Mascalese

Sicily's volcanic Pinot Noir, pale, elegant, and mineral from Mount Etna's slopes.

Grown in Sicily

20

Corvina

The cherry-driven heart of Amarone and Valpolicella, fresh to powerful.

Grown in Veneto

21

Cinsault

Soft, perfumed, and essential, the quiet star of Provence rosé and Southern Rhône blends.

Grown in Provence and 1 more

22

Nero d'Avola

Sicily's noble black grape, dark fruit, warm spice, and Mediterranean generosity.

Grown in Sicily

White grapes

White

14 varieties catalogued. From the everyday to the famously austere.

14varieties
01

Chardonnay

The world's most popular white grape, offering styles from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery.

Grown in Burgundy and 4 more

02

Sauvignon Blanc

Refreshingly crisp white grape with vibrant acidity and distinctive herbaceous notes.

Grown in Bordeaux and 2 more

03

Riesling

Aristocratic white grape producing wines from bone-dry to lusciously sweet with incredible aging …

Grown in Mosel

04

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

One grape, two styles, crisp Italian whites and rich Alsatian aromatics.

Grown in Alsace

05

Gewurztraminer

Intensely aromatic Alsatian grape with unmistakable lychee, rose petal, and exotic spice character.

Grown in Alsace

06

Viognier

Luxurious Rhone white grape with intoxicating apricot and floral perfume and rich, full body.

Grown in Rhone Valley

07

Semillon

Golden grape producing Sauternes dessert wines and remarkably age-worthy dry whites.

Grown in Bordeaux

08

Muscat

Ancient aromatic grape family producing styles from sparkling Moscato to fortified dessert wines.

Grown in Alsace

09

Albarino

Spain's crisp Atlantic white grape with saline minerality and vibrant stone fruit flavors.

Grown in Rias Baixas

10

Chenin Blanc

Highly versatile white grape producing styles from bone-dry to lusciously sweet with remarkable …

Grown in Loire Valley and 1 more

11

Grüner Veltliner

Austria's signature white grape, known for its distinctive white pepper spice and remarkable food …

Grown in Wachau and 1 more

12

Pinot Gris

The rich, aromatic side of Pinot Grigio, stone fruit, honey, and spice from Alsace and Oregon.

Grown in Alsace

13

Glera

The grape behind Prosecco, fresh, fruity, and endlessly refreshing.

Grown in Veneto

14

Moscato

Italy's sweetly aromatic charmer, peach, apricot, and orange blossom in a glass.

Grown in Piedmont

Grapes in the app

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.