Whether you're new to wine or looking to deepen your knowledge, understanding the most popular wine grapes is a great place to start. Each grape variety has its own distinct color, flavor profile, growing regions, and styles. Below is a list of the most common wine grapes—red and white—with key details and flavor notes to help guide your next wine discovery.

Pinot Noir

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Burgundy (France), Oregon (USA), New Zealand, Germany

• Color: Pale ruby

• Primary flavors: Cherry, raspberry, rose petal, mushroom, forest floor

Pinot Noir is loved for its elegance and complexity. It’s a delicate grape that thrives in cooler climates and is notoriously hard to grow. Known for its silky texture and lighter body, Pinot Noir delivers bright red fruit flavors layered with earthy undertones, making it a go-to for food pairings and refined palates.

Merlot

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Bordeaux (France), California (USA), Chile, Italy

• Color: Deep ruby

• Primary flavors: Plum, black cherry, chocolate, herbal, vanilla

Merlot is a plush, approachable red wine grape known for its soft tannins and smooth finish. It’s often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux but also shines on its own. Its fruit-forward nature and versatility make it a favorite for both casual drinkers and collectors alike.

Syrah / Shiraz

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Rhône Valley (France), Barossa Valley (Australia), South Africa

• Color: Deep purple

• Primary flavors: Blackberry, blueberry, black pepper, smoked meat, violet

Known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia, this grape makes bold, full-bodied wines with dark fruit, spice, and savory complexity. In cooler climates, it leans more herbal and peppery; in warmer regions, it becomes richer and more jammy.

Chardonnay

• Type: White

• Primary regions: Burgundy (France), California (USA), Australia, Chile

• Color: Pale gold to straw

• Primary flavors: Apple, pear, citrus, butter, vanilla, hazelnut

Chardonnay is one of the most versatile white grapes, capable of producing crisp, mineral-driven wines as well as rich, buttery styles, depending on climate and oak aging. It’s also the base for many sparkling wines, including Champagne. Whether you prefer bright and lean or creamy and oaked, there’s a Chardonnay for you.

Sauvignon Blanc

• Type: White

• Primary regions: Loire Valley (France), Marlborough (New Zealand), California, South Africa

• Color: Pale straw to light green

• Primary flavors: Lime, green apple, gooseberry, grass, passionfruit

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its zesty acidity and vibrant aromatics. Wines made from this grape are typically dry, refreshing, and expressive. In France, it can show more minerality, while in New Zealand it bursts with tropical fruit and citrus.

Riesling

• Type: White

• Primary regions: Germany, Alsace (France), Australia, Washington State (USA)

• Color: Pale straw

• Primary flavors: Lime, peach, green apple, honeysuckle, petrol

Riesling is highly aromatic and ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. It thrives in cooler climates, where its high acidity and floral, fruity notes shine. Over time, aged Rieslings can develop unique petrol-like aromas prized by enthusiasts.

Tempranillo

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero), Portugal

• Color: Deep ruby

• Primary flavors: Cherry, dried fig, leather, cedar, tobacco

Tempranillo is the backbone of many Spanish red wines. It produces medium- to full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and tannins, often aged in oak for additional complexity. You’ll find both youthful and elegantly aged expressions of this versatile grape.

Malbec

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Argentina (Mendoza), Cahors (France)

• Color: Deep purple

• Primary flavors: Blackberry, plum, cocoa, tobacco, violet

Once a blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec has found its fame in Argentina. Known for its rich color, plush fruit, and smooth tannins, it’s a bold red that offers incredible value and crowd-pleasing flavor.

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Type: Red

• Primary regions: Bordeaux (France), Napa Valley (USA), Coonawarra (Australia), Chile

• Color: Deep ruby to purple

• Primary flavors: Blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, green pepper

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted and recognized red grapes in the world. Known for its bold structure, firm tannins, and excellent aging potential, it produces full-bodied wines often aged in oak. In warmer climates like Napa, it leans toward ripe fruit and vanilla notes; in cooler regions like Bordeaux, expect more herbal and earthy tones.

The Swirl perspective: Explore wine grapes your way

At Swirl, we make discovering new wine grapes easy. Whether you're into fruit-forward reds or crisp, zesty whites, our app helps you explore wines by grape variety, region, and flavor profile—all based on your personal taste. With Swirl, you don’t just drink wine—you understand it.