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Gewurztraminer is an aromatic wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates as it is an early budding and early ripening variety. It has high natural sugar and low acidity content. It is medium to full bodies giving it a rich texture.
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Grenache is a late ripening variety that prefers hot and dry climates. Given the right conditions this variety can produce a large crop that will need to be balanced in the vineyard for quality wine production. The wines produced from this variety usually show bright red fruit and subtle spice characteristics.
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Gruner Veltliner is a white wine grape variety that ripens mid to late October. The vine can be very fruitful and high yielding, and produce small yellowish-green berries.
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One of the six main Bordeaux varieties, Malbec, or Cot as it is called in France, is a great stand-alone variety but normally used as a blender. It is fairly productive and provides deep color. It is grown throughout the world including France, the U.S., Argentina and Chile. However, it is not very winter hardy, so it is not recommended for regions dipping below 20 degrees F.
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Another Bordeaux variety, Merlot is one of the most widely planted varieties in the world. It produces medium tannic wines with black fruit characteristics. It is consistently productive with loose clusters and large berries. It is suitable in hot and cooler climates and has good winter hardiness.
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Mourvedre is a meaty and full bodied red wine that can be high in alcohol and tannins. It can be a difficult variety to grow as it needs very warm weather and adequate irrigation. It thrives on well-drained, rocky or clay-limestone soils and is susceptible to mildews and low winter temperatures.
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This is the latest ripening variety of the Bordeaux family of grapes. It produces rich colored wines with high tannins. The clusters and berries are small. It is grown throughout the world in small quantities. But, it is not considered a winter hearty variety.
