What is "Merlot"?
The most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, merlot, a red grape, is also grown in most of the same places as cabernet sauvignon. And in fact, the two are often blended. Because merlot in general has somewhat less tannin than cabernet sauvignon, it often feels softer on the palate. Its flavors often run to mocha and boysenberry.

What is "Pinot Noir"?
One of the most renowned red grapes in the world for its supple silky texture and mesmerizingly earthy flavors. Pinot noir, like riesling, requires a cold climate and in fact, its ancestral home is the cool Burgundy region of France. The grape, which is very difficult to grow and make into wine, is also grown in Oregon and California, but rarely elsewhere.

What is "Cabernet Sauvignon"?
Often called the "king" of red grapes, cabernet sauvignon is, along with merlot, the famous grape of Bordeaux, and is also grown in other renowned wine regions throughout the world including California, Washington state, Italy, Australia, and Chile. Cabernet sauvignon possesses what can be an impressive structure along with deep, rich cassis flavors.

What is "Shiraz"?
The leading grape of Australia and the classic red grape of the northern Rhone Valley of France (where it is known as syrah}. It is also grown throughout southern France. In the late 1980s and 1990s, California vintners also became increasingly fascinated by the grape which is now grown in many parts of California. The wine often has an unmistakable whiff of white pepper along with wild gamey, boysenberry flavors.

What is "Chardonnay"?
Chardonnay is one of the most popular white grape varieties in America and throughout North America, as well as the white grape of the Burgundy region of France. Very easy to enjoy thanks to its full, round body and buttery, appley flavors laced with toastiness (the latter comes from the oak barrels used in making most Chardonnays).

What is "Zinfandel"?
The much loved red grape of California, zinfandel is grown almost no place else in the world. In fact, its history is still a mystery, though scientists think that the grape may be related to a Croatian grape. Zinfandel has a mouthfilling, thick berryness that is sometimes described as being jammy or chewy. White zinfandel (not a separate grape variety) is made when zinfandel grapes are fermented without their dark purple skins.

What is "Pinot Grigio"?
Like pinot blanc, one of the white grapes of the pinot family, and like riesling and gew?rztraminer, pinot grigio loves cold climates. The most renowned pinot grigios come from the northernmost regions of Italy, especially those regions that border the Alps, as well as Alsace, where it is known as pinot gris or, confusingly, as "tokay." In the U.S., Oregon is emerging as the top state for delicious lively pinot gris' with light almond, lemon and vanilla flavors.

What is the difference between Zinfandel and White Zinfandel?
Both are made from the Zinfandel grape, a dark skinned grape. Zinfandel gets its red color from being fermented with the grape skins. White Zinfandel is not fermented with the grape skins, but has enough contact with the skins before fermentation to gain its pink color.

What is "Sauvignon Blanc"?
The famous white grape of the Sancerre region of France as well as New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc also grows in Bordeaux (where it is usually blended with semillon), South Africa, and in California and Washington state. Its wonderfully wild, untamed flavors are often reminiscent of grass, herbs, green tea and limes, often overlaid with a smokiness. In California, sauvignon blanc can also take on green fig and white melon flavors.

What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?
Only a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France can be called Champagne, even if it is made from the same type of grape as Champagne using the same production techniques. Sparkling wine in Spain is referred to as cava, in Germany it is called sekt, and in Italy it is called spumante. Sparkling wines made in the U.S. by the same method of production used in the Champagne district in France are sometimes labeled as 'methode Champenoise' wines.

Information referenced from www.wineanswers.com Images Courtesy of Wine Market Council