New Wine Varietals

California’s history of varietal wine grapes has focused on the more popular varietals—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Fume Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Johannisberg Riesling, and Chenin Blanc in the whites; Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Merlot in the reds. Both retail wine stores and restaurant wine lists have featured these varietals for the past few decades to the increasing curiosity of consumers.

Recently, new varietals with origins in Europe have burst onto the California wine scene and offer opportunities for wine lovers to experience a wider range of flavors. These new varietals are well suited to the assertive style of many wine country dishes. Many of these wines offer forward fruit and lower tannin, oak, and alcohol than some of the traditional wines of California.