Noble Grapes: What Are they and Do They Matter? (Wine Grapes Series Part 3)

Somm Women Talk Wine

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From Lost Grapes, to Hybrid Grapes, this episode rounds out our exploration with Noble Grapes, or Noble Wine. Read on for a short snippet of what we are covering, but tune in for all the fun!

So, what exactly are Noble Grapes? Well, it depends on who you ask! One camp uses the 5 traditional Bordeaux varieties as their list. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to be exact. We're taking a different view to cover a set of noble vines across red and white wines.

Regardless of the information you search on the topic, one thing remains true. No formal definition and no regulatory guidance is defining either. So, we're exploring Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot for red wine. And the grape varieties of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc for white wine. These varieties are revered in the wine world from Alsace, France, to Napa Valley, California. From New York State, to South Africa. Many somms and wine educators agree, this is THE list of noble grapes!

What if my favorite isn't a Noble Grape?

If you don't see your favorite in this list of noble grapes wine is made from, never fear! We're hitting the highlights the diversity of each grape variety for you to decide which is your favorite, or which you'd love to explore. Other international varieties can also be considered Noble in their own right. Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, or Viognier for white wine varieties in addition to the 5 Bordeaux varieties we covered.

We love the Noble Grapes and we love Noble Wines. They come in many styles, across any price, and have a vast array of required guidelines for winemaking, vineyard management, and labeling depending on where they come from. Added bonus, these grapes are some of the highest quality and most recognizable wherever you shop for wine.

We're sure you've listened to all 3 episodes in this series: Lost Grapes, Hybrid Grapes, and Noble Grapes. Now get out and explore! The world of wine has so much to offer and you, our wine-loving friends, are now ready to start your next adventure!
As always, we've got the perfect WINE FIND for you! The CHEVALIER aerating wine glass! It's fun, it's functional, and it's for sure a conversation starter!
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If you missed one of our previous episodes, we've got you covered:

Hybrid Wine Grapes To The RescueLost Grapes: Creating Rare Wines from Near Extinction

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