Chardonnay - Chablis is the great white grape of Burgundy. The aristocrat of white wine grapes in the United States producing a rich fat, potent wine. It is less aromatic when young and matures into a buttery, smokey, rich fruit aroma and flavor. Most California Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels following fermentation either in stainless steel or oak barrels.

Sauvignon Blanc - White Bordeaux is the primary grape of Sancre in France where it is often blended with Semillon. A crisp, white wine produced similarly to Chardonnay with a distinctive grassy herbaceous character. piercingly aromatic and crisp.

Riesling is the classic grape of Germany producing pleasant, fruity wines with crisp acid. The aroma is very fruity and fresh. In California, the wine is often made quite dry (0.8 r.s.) to very sweet (over 6.0 r.s) dessert wines.

Viognier has a very particular perfume redolent of apricots, peaches, and blossom. This perfume is at its most heady while young and before the wine's slightly low acidity fades. Can be a very delicate wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux is the grape of the Medoc in France. The skin of the grape provides intense red color to the juice as well as producing tannin. The grapes smell of black currents and are often described as herbal in character. Following fermentation either in stainless steel or oak barrels, the wine in aged in oak barrels before bottling.

Pinot Noir - Burgundy is the famous red grape of Burgundy. Tasty, earthy aroma and less tannins and a fruitier aroma than Cabernet. Rarely blended. Can be a very difficult to make, a "finicky" wine, but when made well, a classic long lived wine.

Zinfandel is a grape unique to the USA and California. Thought to have originated in Italy and known as Primativo. This late ripening red grape has dis-tinct spicy, peppery, berry fruit. It is often very high in alcohol, above 14.5%. It is held in oak barrels following fermentation.

Sangiovese is of ancient origin and is pro-bably indigenous to Tuscany, as the literal translation of its name is "blood of Jove". It is the major ingredient of Chianti. A fruity, light wine. Often blended with other wines to soft and sweeten the wine.