03. Europe – Wine Regions & Grape Varieties

Champagne

Pinot Noir (red), Pinot Meunier (red), Chardonnay.

Burgundy

(white)

Chablis, Macon, Pouilly Fuisse, Montrachet – Chardonnay.

Sauvignon St Bris – Sauvignon Blanc.

Other White – Aligote.

Rule of thumb here with white Burgundy. Unless the label states otherwise all white Burgundy will be Chardonnay.

(red)

The Cote d’or, Cote Chalonnaise – Pinot Noir.

Macon, Beaujolais – Gamay.

Alsace

(white)

Gewürztraminer.

Pinot Blanc.

Pinot Gris. The proper name for Pinot Grigio.

Riesling.

Muscat.

Sylvaner.

(red)

Pinot Noir.

Loire

(white)

Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, Touraine – Sauvignon Blanc.

Vouvray – Chenin Blanc

Muscadet – Melon de Bourgogne or just Muscadet.

(red, rose)

Gamay.

Cabernet Franc.

Pinot Noir.

Grolleau.

Bordeaux

(white)

Semillon.

Sauvignon Blanc.

Muscadelle. Used mainly in small amounts for sweet wines.

(red)

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot.

Cabernet Franc.

Petit Verdot. Only small amounts nowadays.

The Rhone Valley

(white)

Viognier.

Marsanne.

Rousanne.

Clairette.

Grenache Blanc.

(red)

Cote Rotie, Saint Joseph, Crozes Hermitage, Cornas – Syrah (aka Shiraz)

Grenache.

Mourvedre.

Cinsault.

Carignan.

And many others. Chateauneuf du Pape primarily uses all these but can be a blend of up to 13 different varieties.

South West France

(white)

Cotes de Gascogne, VDP du Gers – Ugni Blanc + others.

(red)

Malbec/Cot.

Merlot.

Tannat.

South of France

All the varieties from around France plus a load of unusual types used in blending Vin De Pay (everyday table) wines.

Italy

North West Italy

Piemonte

(white)

Cortese. The main grape for Gavi.

(red)

Nebbiolo. The main grape for Barolo.

Barbera.

Dolcetto.

North East Italy

Trentino – Alto Adige

(white)

Riesling.

Gewürztraminer.

Pinot Grigio. AKA Pinot Gris.

Others.

(red)

Schiava.

Lagrein.

Teroldego.

Friuli – Venezia Giulia

(white)

Tocai Friulano.

Pinot Gris.

Others.

(red)

Refosco.

Merlot.

Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Veneto 

(white)

Garganega. The main grape for Soave.

(red)

Corvina. Used for Valpolicella and Amarone.

Rondinella.

Molinara.

Merlot.

Central & West Italy 

Emilia – Romagna

(white)

Trebbiano.

(red)

Lambrusco.

Sangiovese.

Tuscany

(white)

Vernaccia.

(red)

Sangiovese. The main grape for Chianti.

Cabernet Sauvignon. Used in Super Tuscan wines.

Merlot.

Marche 

(white)

Verdicchio.

(red)

Montepulciano.

Umbria

(white)

Trebbiano. All used in Orvieto.

Grechetto.

Malvasia.

Verdello.

Lazio

(white)

Malvasia. Both used for Frascati.

Trebbiano.

Abruzzo

(white)

Trebbiano.

(red)

Montepulciano.

South Italy 

Campania

(red)

Aglianico.

Puglia 

(red)

Negroamaro.

Malvasia Nera.

Primitivo. AKA Zinfandel.

Others.

Basilicata

(red)

Aglianico.

Sicily 

(white)

Chardonnay.

Catarratto.

Others.

(red)

Nero d’Avola.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Syrah.

Others.

Portugal

Northern Portugal

Vinho Verde

(white)

Loureiro.

Paderna.

Alvarinho. AKA Albarino.

(red)

Jaen.

Touriga Nacional.

Tinto Roriz. AKA Tempranillo.

Baga.

Southern Portugal

(white)

Roupeiro.

Antao Vaz.

Arinto.

International Varieties.

(red)

Castelao Frances.

Trincadeira.

Aragonez.

International Varieties.

Spain

Rioja

(white)

Viura.

Malvasia.

Garnacha Blanca.

(red, rose)

Tempranillo. Leading variety in all Rioja.

Garnacha. AKA Grenache.

Mazuelo.

Graciano.

Navarra

(red, rose)

Tempranillo.

Garnacha.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot.

Somontano

(white)

Macabeo.

Chardonnay.

Chenin Blanc.

Gewürztraminer.

(red, rose)

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot.

Pinot Noir.

Local Varieties.

Catalunya 

(white)

Parellada.

Chardonnay.

Xarel-lo.

Macabeo.

(red)

Tempranillo.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Grenache.

Syrah. AKA Shiraz.

Pinot Noir.

Carinena. AKA Carignan.

Monestrall. AKA Mourvedre or Mataro.

The Duero Valley

(white)

Verdejo. Not to be confused with Verdelho.

Sauvignon Blanc.

(red)

Tempranillo.

Galicia. Rias Baixas

(white)

Albarino.

The Levant. Valencia

(white & red)

Local Varieties.

The Meseta. La Mancha

(white)

Airen.

(red)

Tempranillo.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Syrah.

The Meseta. Valdepenas 

(red)

Tempranillo.

Other Europe

Austria

(white)

Gruner Veltliner.

Riesling.

(red)

Blaufrankisch.

Bulgaria 

(white)

Chardonnay.

(red)

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot.

Melnik.

Croatia

(white)

Grape	Origin / other names	Usage
Bogdanuša[6]	Origin: Stari Grad Plain on Hvar [1]	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Hvar
Bratkovina[7]	Origin: Dalmatia[7]	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Korčula
Cetinjka Bijela[8]		Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Korčula, Hvar, Mljet, Peljesac[8]
Chardonnay		Moslavina, Plešivica, Podunavlje, Pokuplje, Prigorje – Bilogora, Slavonia, Zagorje – Međimurje, Istria, Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior (everywhere except Central & South Dalmatia)
Debit[9]	Origin: Came to Dalmatia from Puglia, Italy,[1] but may originate from Turkey[9]	North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia[9]
Gegić[10]	Debeljan	Croatian Coast, esp. the islands such as Rab
Graševina	Welschriesling, Laški rizling, Italian Riesling, Olaszriesling/Origin: May be France.[1]	Widely grown throughout the Continental Region. [1] Slavonia produces the largest number of premium quality Graševina wines.
Grk[11]	Origin: Lumbarda on Korčula[1]	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Korčula, Mljet and Peljesac
Kraljevina	Origin: Zeline, Prigorje[1]	Moslavina, Prigorje – Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje
Kujundžuša	Origin: Imotsko Polje.[1] Kojunđuša, tvrdac, tvrdorijez, žutac, ruderuša bijela	Dalmatian Interior
Kurtelaška bijela	Indigenous Dalmatian variety	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Vis and nearby islands
Malvazija Istarska	Theoretically, Malvasia but more testing is needed[1]	Istria, north Croatian Coast
Malvasia Dubrovačka	Origin: somewhere around the Mediterranean (not Malvazija Istarska or Italian Malvasia grape)[1]	Central & South Dalmatia
Maraština	Origin: possibly Italy or Dalmatia.[1]Krizol, Rukatac	Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Korčula andPeljesac, Dalmatian Interior
Manzoni bijeli	Incroccio manzoni. Hybrid Pinot Blanc/German Riesling	Moslavina, Plešivica, Podunavlje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Slavonia
Moslavac	Origin: possibly Hungary.[1] šipon, mosler, furmint	Grown throughout the Continental region
Muškat bijeli	Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains	Plešivica, Pokuplje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje, Istria (dessert wines)
Muškat žuti	Yellow Muscat, Muškat momjanski	Plešivica, Pokuplje, Prigorje – Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje, Istria, Croatian Coast (dessert wines)
Muškat ottonel	Muscat Ottonel	Plešivica, Podunavlje, Pokuplje, Slavonia, Zagorje-Međimurje, Istria (dessert wines)
Neuburger	Austrian variety	Plešivica, Pokuplje
Parč	Indigenous to Hvar	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Hvar
Pinot Bijeli	Pinot Blanc	Continental region, Istria, Croatian Coast, Dalmatian Interior
Pinot Sivi	Pinot Gris	Continental region, Istria, Croatian Coast, Dalmatian Interior
Plavec Žuti	Old variety from NW Croatia	Moslavina, Podunavlje, Pokuplje, Prigorje-Bilogora
Pošip	Origin: Smokvica on Korčula.[1]	North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia, Dalmatian islands
(Rajnski) Rizling	German Riesling	Grown throughout Continental region, producing many premium wines
Rizvanac bijeli	Müller-Thurgau	Grown throughout Continental region
Rkaciteli	Moldavian variety	North Dalmatia
Ružica Crvena		Prigorje, Slavonia
Sauvignon (bijeli)	Sauvignon Blanc	Continental region, Istria, Croatian Coast
Silvanac zeleni	Silvaner	Throughout Continental region
Šipelj	Indigenous to NW Croatia	Pokuplje
Škrlet	Origin: Moslavina[1]	Moslavina, Prigorje-Bilogora
Traminac	Gewürztraminer, Traminac Mirisni	Continental region
Trbljan bijeli	Kuč, Trebbiano romagnolo	Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia
Trebbiano toscano		Istria, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia
Verduzzo		Istria
Vugava	Origin: Vis.[1] bugava, ugava, viškulja	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Vis
Zelenac	Zelinika	Plešivica, Slavonia, Zagorje-Međimurje
Žilavka	Originates from Herzegovina	Southern Dalmatia
Žlahtina	Origin: Croatian Coast[1]	Istria, Croatian Coast, esp. Krk

(red)

Grape	Origin / Other names	Usage
Alicante Bouschet	French hybrid of Grenache and Petit Bouschet	Moslavina, Podunavlje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Istria
Babić	Origin: around Primošten, Dalmatia[1]	Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia
Barbera		Istria
Borgonja Crna	Cultivar of Gamay	Istria
Cabernet Franc		Moslavina, Podunavlje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Slavonia, Istria, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia
Cabernet Sauvignon		Moslavina, Podunavlje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Slavonia, Istria, Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Carignan		North Dalmatia
Crljenak Kaštelanski	Zinfandel, Primitivo, one parent of Plavac Mali [12]	Hvar, Pelješac but rarely grown
Dobričić	Indigenous to Šolta, other parent of Plavac Mali	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Šolta
Drnekuša	Darnekuša, Drnekuša Crna	Central & South Dalmatia, esp. Hvar
Frankovka	Blaufränkisch, Kékfrankos, Lemberger, Frankonia	Continental Region, Croatian Coast
Gamay bojadiser	Gamay	Moslavina, Prigorje-Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje
Grenaš crni	Grenache	North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior
Hrvatica	Croatina, Croattina, croatizza. Originates from North Italy	Istria
Jarbola	Related to Hrvatica	Croatian Coast
Lasina	Origin: north Dalmatia[1]	North Dalmatia (dessert wine prošek)
Lovrijenac	St Laurent	Moslavina, Plešivica, Pokuplje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Zagorje-Međimurje
Merlot		Podunavlje, Pokuplje, Prigorje-Bilogora, Slavonia, Istria, Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Muškat ruža crni	Moscato delle rose nero, Muscat des roses noir, Rosenmuskateller blauer	Istria, Central & South Dalmatia
Nebbiolo	Italy	Croatian Coast
Ninčuša	Indigenous to Dalmatia	Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Okatac	ružica crvena, glavinuša	Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Pinot crni	Burgundac crni, Pinot noir	Continental Region, Istria, Croatian Coast
Plavac Mali	Origin: central and south Dalmatia.[1]Pagadebit	Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Plavina	Origin: Dalmatia.[1] Plavka, Plajka, Brajda, Brajdica	Istria, Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Central & South Dalmatia
Portugizac	Blauer Portugieser, Austria	Continental Region
Refošk	Refosco Origin: Italy.[1]	Istria
Susac Crni	Sansigot, sujćan, tvardo grozje, sanseg, Sušćan crni	North Dalmatia esp Susac, Lošinj, Cres, and the Kvarner Island region
Svrdlovina crna	Galica	North Dalmatia
Syrah	Shiraz	Slavonia, Istria, Croatian Coast, North Dalmatia, Dalmatian Interior
Teran	Terrano[1]	Istria
Tocai Friulano		Istria
Trnjak	Rudežuša	Dalmatian Interior, Central & South Dalmatia
Vranac	Vranec	North Dalmatia
Zadarka crna		North Dalmatia
Zweigelt		Continental Region

Information sourced from Wikipedia

England/Wales 

(white)

Various. More and more international varieties are being planted.

(red)

Rondo.

Dornfelder.

Pinot Noir.

Others.

Greece/Cyprus

(white)

Assyrtiko.

Various local & International varieties.

(red)

Xinomavro.

Agiorgitiko.

Various local & International varieties.

Hungary 

(white)

Furmint. Used for Tokaji.

Harslevelu.

Chardonnay.

Irsai Oliver.

Pinot Gris.

(red)

Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kekfrancos. Used mainly for Bulls Blood.

Romania

(white)

International Varieties.

Others.

(red)

Pinot Noir.

Merlot.

Switzerland 

(white)

Chasselas.

Aligote.

(red)

Pinot Noir.

Gamay.

Merlot.