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Guide to Wine Varietals — Insta-Somm

Your Guide to Wine Varietals

Explore the world's most beloved wine grapes, organized by our color-coded flavor profiles

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Understanding Wine Varietals Through Color

Each wine varietal has unique characteristics determined by the grape variety, terroir, and winemaking methods. Our color-coded system helps you understand these differences and make better pairing decisions. Explore wines organized by their dominant flavor profiles—from herbaceous greens to floral blues.

Green

Herbaceous & Vegetal

Yellow

Citrus & Tropical

Red

Red Fruit & Berry

Orange

Spice & Earthy

Blue

Floral & Aromatic

Green Profile Wines

Herbaceous, vegetal, and fresh—these wines feature notes of grass, herbs, and green vegetables

Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteGreen 1

Loire Valley, France / Marlborough, New Zealand

Crisp and refreshing with pronounced herbaceous notes of cut grass, green bell pepper, and fresh herbs. Known for its zippy acidity and clean finish.

Flavor Profile:

Grapefruit, lime, gooseberry, jalapeño, fresh herbs

Perfect Pairings:

Goat cheese salad, grilled asparagus, pesto pasta, oysters, fresh herbs

Grüner Veltliner
WhiteGreen 1

Austria

Austria's signature white grape, offering a unique combination of white pepper spice and fresh vegetable notes with bright acidity.

Flavor Profile:

White pepper, green apple, celery, lime zest, arugula

Perfect Pairings:

Schnitzel, roasted vegetables, Thai cuisine, Caesar salad, green curry

Cabernet Franc
RedGreen 1

Loire Valley, France

Medium-bodied red with distinctive herbaceous character. Often described as having "leafy" or "green" aromatics alongside red fruit.

Flavor Profile:

Raspberry, green bell pepper, violet, tobacco, herbs

Perfect Pairings:

Roasted red peppers, herb-crusted lamb, eggplant parmesan, pesto dishes

Verdejo
WhiteGreen 1

Rueda, Spain

Fresh and aromatic white wine with a distinctive fennel-like character and herbal notes, balanced by citrus brightness.

Flavor Profile:

Fennel, lime, fresh grass, grapefruit, herbs

Perfect Pairings:

Ceviche, green salads, grilled vegetables, white fish with herbs

Scenic vineyard landscape

From Vineyard to Glass

Each varietal expresses the unique terroir of its origin—the soil, climate, and winemaking traditions that make every bottle special.

Yellow Profile Wines

Bright, citrusy, and tropical—these wines showcase sunny fruit flavors and refreshing acidity

Chardonnay
WhiteYellow 1

Burgundy, France / California, USA

The world's most popular white wine grape. Can range from crisp and mineral (unoaked) to rich and buttery (oaked) with tropical fruit flavors.

Flavor Profile:

Apple, lemon, pineapple, butter, vanilla (when oaked)

Perfect Pairings:

Roasted chicken, lobster with butter, creamy pasta, grilled salmon

Albariño
WhiteYellow 1

Rías Baixas, Spain

Bright and zesty coastal white wine with stone fruit character and saline minerality. Perfect with seafood.

Flavor Profile:

Peach, apricot, lemon zest, honeysuckle, sea salt

Perfect Pairings:

Shellfish, ceviche, fish tacos, paella, citrus-glazed dishes

Viognier
WhiteYellow 2

Rhône Valley, France

Full-bodied white wine with lush tropical fruit and floral aromatics. Known for its oily texture and low acidity.

Flavor Profile:

Mango, apricot, honeysuckle, tangerine, peach

Perfect Pairings:

Coconut curry, mango salsa, tropical fruit dishes, rich seafood

Riesling
WhiteYellow 2-3

Germany / Alsace, France

Versatile aromatic white ranging from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Always features bright acidity and stone fruit flavors.

Flavor Profile:

Lime, green apple, apricot, honey, petrol (with age)

Perfect Pairings:

Spicy Asian cuisine, pork chops, duck, apple dishes, aged cheeses

Red Profile Wines

Bright red fruits and berries—these wines feature cherry, raspberry, and strawberry notes

Pinot Noir
RedRed 1

Burgundy, France / Oregon, USA

Elegant, light to medium-bodied red wine with silky tannins and bright red fruit character. The most delicate and transparent of reds.

Flavor Profile:

Cherry, raspberry, cranberry, mushroom, earth

Perfect Pairings:

Duck breast, salmon, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, charcuterie

Sangiovese
RedRed 1

Tuscany, Italy

Italy's most planted red grape. Medium-bodied with bright cherry fruit, high acidity, and savory notes. The base of Chianti.

Flavor Profile:

Sour cherry, tomato, dried herbs, leather, tea

Perfect Pairings:

Tomato-based pasta, pizza, grilled vegetables, aged Parmesan

Grenache/Garnacha
RedRed 2

Southern Rhône, France / Spain

Medium to full-bodied red with ripe red fruit and spicy notes. Often blended but increasingly bottled solo.

Flavor Profile:

Strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, herbs, cinnamon

Perfect Pairings:

Grilled lamb, Spanish tapas, barbecue, roasted red peppers

Gamay
RedRed 1

Beaujolais, France

Light-bodied, juicy red wine with bright acidity and minimal tannins. The grape of Beaujolais, meant to be enjoyed young and slightly chilled.

Flavor Profile:

Red berries, banana, bubblegum, violet, earth

Perfect Pairings:

Charcuterie, roasted chicken, salmon, mushrooms, light pasta

Orange Profile Wines

Spicy and earthy—these wines feature pepper, tobacco, mushroom, and warm spice notes

Syrah/Shiraz
RedOrange 1

Rhône Valley, France / Australia

Full-bodied red wine with bold dark fruit, peppery spice, and smoky notes. Called Syrah in France, Shiraz in Australia.

Flavor Profile:

Blackberry, black pepper, smoke, olive, dark chocolate

Perfect Pairings:

Grilled steak, lamb chops, barbecue, mushrooms, aged cheeses

Tempranillo
RedOrange 1

Rioja, Spain

Spain's noble red grape. Medium to full-bodied with earthy, leathery notes and red to dark fruit depending on oak aging.

Flavor Profile:

Cherry, plum, tobacco, leather, dill, vanilla

Perfect Pairings:

Tapas, chorizo, grilled meats, manchego cheese, paella

Zinfandel
RedOrange 2

California, USA

California's heritage grape. Full-bodied and fruit-forward with spicy notes and often high alcohol. Can be jammy and bold.

Flavor Profile:

Blackberry jam, black pepper, cinnamon, tobacco, plum

Perfect Pairings:

BBQ ribs, burgers, spicy sausage, smoked meats, grilled vegetables

Malbec
RedOrange 1

Mendoza, Argentina

Medium to full-bodied red with velvety tannins and ripe dark fruit. Argentina's signature grape, often grown at high altitudes.

Flavor Profile:

Blackberry, plum, cocoa, leather, violet

Perfect Pairings:

Grilled steak, empanadas, spiced lamb, dark chocolate desserts

Scenic vineyard landscape

The Art of Blending & Expression

While these varietals shine on their own, many of the world's greatest wines blend multiple grapes to create complexity and balance.

Blue Profile Wines

Floral and aromatic—these wines feature perfumed notes of flowers, rose, and exotic spices

Gewürztraminer
WhiteBlue 2

Alsace, France

Highly aromatic white wine with intense floral and exotic spice notes. Full-bodied with low acidity and often off-dry.

Flavor Profile:

Lychee, rose petal, ginger, honeysuckle, exotic spices

Perfect Pairings:

Asian cuisine, Thai curry, Moroccan tagine, soft cheeses, spicy dishes

Moscato d'Asti
White (Sweet)Blue 3

Piedmont, Italy

Sweet, lightly sparkling wine with delicate floral aromatics and low alcohol. Refreshing and approachable.

Flavor Profile:

Orange blossom, peach, honey, mandarin, jasmine

Perfect Pairings:

Fresh fruit, light desserts, brunch dishes, soft cheeses

Torrontés
WhiteBlue 1

Salta, Argentina

Argentina's aromatic white grape. Intensely floral with tropical notes but finishes dry, unlike its aromatic suggests.

Flavor Profile:

White flowers, peach, lemon zest, rose, geranium

Perfect Pairings:

Ceviche, spicy dishes, Asian fusion, light seafood, salads

Muscat/Moscato
WhiteBlue 2-3

Various

Ancient aromatic grape family with intensely floral character. Can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.

Flavor Profile:

Orange blossom, honeysuckle, mandarin, lychee, rose

Perfect Pairings:

Fruit desserts, soft cheeses, Middle Eastern cuisine, brunch

Classic & Notable Varietals

Essential wines that every wine lover should know—spanning multiple flavor profiles

Cabernet Sauvignon
RedMultiple profiles

Bordeaux, France / Napa Valley, USA

The king of red wines. Full-bodied with firm tannins, dark fruit, and excellent aging potential. Pairs with rich proteins.

Flavor Profile:

Blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, graphite, black cherry

Perfect Pairings:

Prime steak, lamb, hard cheeses, rich stews, dark chocolate

Merlot
RedRed/Orange

Bordeaux, France

Soft, fruity red wine with supple tannins. Often blended but also excellent solo. More approachable young than Cabernet.

Flavor Profile:

Plum, black cherry, chocolate, herbs, graphite

Perfect Pairings:

Roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, pasta with meat sauce, mushrooms

Champagne/Sparkling
SparklingYellow 1

Champagne, France / Various

Celebration in a bottle. True Champagne comes from France's Champagne region. High acidity and effervescence make it food-friendly.

Flavor Profile:

Green apple, brioche, almond, citrus, minerality

Perfect Pairings:

Oysters, caviar, fried foods, salty snacks, celebrations

Continue Your Wine Education

Explore more resources to deepen your understanding of wine pairing and varietals

Perfect Pairing System
Learn how our color-coded system makes pairing effortless and scientifically accurate.
Learn the System
Wine Resources
Access our curated collection of wine articles, guides, and pairing tips.
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