Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile white grapes in the world, capable of producing dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Native to France’s Loire Valley, it thrives in appellations like Vouvray, Savennieres, and Coteaux du Layon. Its hallmark is bracing acidity, which gives it both energy and exceptional aging potential.

While it has a long tradition in France, Chenin Blanc has also become South Africa’s signature white grape, where it’s sometimes called Steen. In the New World, styles range from bright and crisp to rich and oaky, often depending on vine age and yield control.

Its combination of fruit, floral aromatics, and vibrant acidity makes Chenin Blanc an outstanding food wine.

Its popularity stems from its approachability—Merlot ripens earlier than many other red grapes, produces rounder, more plush wines, and can thrive in a variety of climates. While often typecast as an “easy” wine, high-quality Merlot can be incredibly complex, structured, and age-worthy.

Riesling is one of the most expressive and age-worthy white grape varieties in the world, capable of producing wines in every sweetness level—from bone dry to lusciously sweet. It is beloved for its laser-sharp acidity, floral and citrus-driven aromatics, and its uncanny ability to reflect terroir.

Originating in the Rhine region of Germany, Riesling thrives in cool climates and is the dominant white variety in Germany, Austria, and Alsace, with increasing acclaim from Australia (Clare & Eden Valleys), New Zealand, and the Finger Lakes (USA).

Its wines are known for their transparency, often showing notes of lime, petrol, and minerals, especially as they age.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most widely planted and beloved white grape varieties, known for its vibrant acidity, zesty citrus profile, and distinctive herbal and green aromatics. Originating in France’s Loire Valley, it has since become a global favorite, with iconic expressions from New Zealand, California, Chile, South Africa, and beyond.

Its name comes from the French word “sauvage” (wild), a nod to the grape’s vigorous growth and untamed aromatics. It can be crisp and citrusy, grassy and green, or textured and smoky—depending on where and how it’s grown.

In some regions, Sauvignon Blanc is oak-aged or blended with Sémillon, producing richer, age-worthy wines such as white Bordeaux and Pessac-Léognan.

Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape in the world, known for its chameleon-like ability to reflect its terroir and winemaking. From the steely, mineral whites of Chablis to the opulent, oak-aged wines of Napa, Chardonnay’s style ranges from crisp and linear to rich and creamy.

Originating in Burgundy, Chardonnay is the foundation of the region’s finest white wines and is one of the key grapes in Champagne. Its neutral flavor profile allows it to be easily shaped by fermentation vessels (steel or oak), malolactic fermentation, and lees aging.

Because of its global adaptability, Chardonnay has found a home in nearly every wine-producing region on Earth.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada’s Okanagan Valley to Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France. Its popularity is often attributed to its ease of cultivation—the grapes have thick skins and the vines are hardy and naturally low-yielding, budding late to avoid frost and resistant to rot and insects—and to its consistent presentation of structure and flavors.