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Building on our previous tip of the month, it is naturally helpful to discuss the different grape varieties. This list by all means is not complete but we will try give the reader the general information on helping selecting their favorite wine.

Red Grape Varietals

SANGIOVESE (SAN-gee-oh-VAY-SEE) Italy's most planted red grape. A versatile grape easily blended with other grapes particularly with Supertuscans and the base for Chianti. Cherry, raspberry, red plum, blackberry, vanilla, pepper, truffle, coffee, anise.

PRIMITIVO (PRI-mi-TEE-vo) In the late 1970's the international spotlight fell on this ancient grape variety. Through a DNA testing a similarity was noted with California's popular Zinfandel.

MALVASIA (MAL-va-ZEE-a) Dark-skinned, typically used as a blend producing full-bodied wines high in alcohol and sweetness. The flavors are chocolate blackberry, molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, anise, plum, black raspberry.

NEGROAMARA (NE-gro-A-mar-oh) The most planted red grape in southern Italy mainly in the Apulia region, it can produce wines of great intensity and alcohol. A flavorful taste of black raspberry, licorice, black pepper, cinnamon, toast, prune, violets.

MONTEPULICIANO (MON-te-pul-chi-A-no) Late harvest yielding well-ripened grapes, deep colored with good levels of alcohol and extract. Herbaceous and woody with a hint of licorice, black pepper, jasmine and truffle.

BRUNELLO (Brew-NEL-lo) This is a rare red wine from the district of Tuscany. Named for the Brunello grape, a clone of the Sangiovese grape. The flavors are sweet cherry with leather tones.

ZINFANDEL (ZIN-fan-del) Exotic black-skinned grape predominantly grown in California. The flavors are blackberry, raspberry, port, plum, chocolate, black pepper, spice.

SYRAH (see-RAH) The great grape of the northern Rhone a late budding yielding a deep dark, cluster vine. Flavors consist of blackberry, black raspberry, black plum, cinnamon, anise, oak, chocolate, black pepper, toast, violets.

White Grape Varietals

BOMBINO (BOM-bi-NO) The most important white grape in southern Italy. It ripens late, as late as October, avoiding most spring frost damage and is less acidic. A flavorful crispy taste of citrus, fruity, almonds, and honey.

PINTO GRIS/PINTO GRIGIO (PEE-noh-GREE) This pleasant and tasty grape offers good drinkability in Italy, where it is commonly referred to as Pinto Grigio, Germany and the New World, but reaches its heights in Alsace. It can taste of cream and apples and exists in well-made versions both sweet and dry.

TREBBIANO (TRE-bi-A-no) The most planted white grape in Italy. This amber-berried grape yields a light, white, crisp and fruity taste. The flavors can range from grassy to citrus and grapefruit.

RIESLING (REESe-ling) One of the world's greatest grapes. All of Germany's great wines are from Riesling. Alsace is another area that offers some of the finest Riesling outside of Germany. This grape is rich and crisp when young, but can age for ten to fifty years and beyond.

CHARDONNAY (SHAR-don-NAY) Probably one of the world's most recognizable name. With the high level of alcohol, it can often taste slightly sweet. Flavors consist of raspberries, vanilla, tropical fruits, peaches, tea, woody and rose petals.