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There are literally hundreds of wine grapes, but to get a really strong start in understanding quality wine, get familiar with what I call “the big six” wine grapes:  Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay for whites; and Pinot Noir, Merlot/Cabernet (which are very similar and often blended together), and Syrah aka Shiraz for reds. Learning the taste profile and body style of these is easy, and will give you a huge leg up when navigating the wine list or a wine shop.

The “Big 6” Grapes

• Red Grapes
  • Pinot Noir
  • Cabernet/Merlot
  • Syrah/Shiraz

• White Grapes
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chardonnay