Wine Fundamentals

Grape Varietals

Wine & Food Pairings

Wine

We at Highlander Wine & Spirits believe that knowing more about wine can increase your enjoyment. We also believe that learning about wine should be fun - something that is sure to happen as you experience new tastes and styles. That's why we keep our information concise and approachable, in an easy-to-understand language.


 

Grape Varietals - Red Wines

Barbera

  • Growing Regions: Piedmont
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Currant, smoke, cherry, blackberry, chocolate
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Full
  • Food Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, chicken, duck

Cabernet Franc

  • Growing Regions: Bordeaux, California, Loire Valley, Okanagan Valley, Ontario
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Currant, bell pepper, raspberry, black cherry, violet, cedar, floral and herbal notes
  • Acidity: Low
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Lasagna, chicken, Greek dishes

Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Growing Regions: Australia, Bordeaux, California, Chile, Tuscany, Okanagan Valley, Ontario, Washington
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Black currant, black cherry, cedar, spice, green pepper, herb, plum, olive, anise, tobacco, chocolate and mint
  • Acidity: Moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Grilled steak, leg of lamb, venison, cheddar and mild yellow cheeses

Carmenere

  • Growing Regions: Chile
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Blackberry, plum, chocolate, coffee, spice, herb, smoke
  • Acidity: Low
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Meat of vegetable lasagna, lamb, chicken, duck, baked ham, pork tenderloin

Dolcetto

  • Growing Regions: Piedmont
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Blackberry, blueberry, plum, almond, jam, cherry, anise
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Meat lasagna, vegetable pastas, veal, grilled vegetables, chicken, duck, ham, lamb, quail, steak

Gamay

  • Growing Regions: Beaujolais
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry and floral notes.
  • Acidity: Moderate
  • Body: Light
  • Food Pairings: Turkey, fried ham, roast, cheddar cheese, fish with rich sauce, lasagna, pork, chicken, veal

Grenache

  • Growing Regions: California, Rhone, Spain
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Raspberry, spice, blackberries, pepper and earth
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Pork, lamb chops

Malbec

  • Growing Regions: Argentina, Bordeaux, Chile
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Blackberry, plum, black currant, dried cherry, tobacco, spice, game
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Rare beef, chicken, spicy dishes, pasta

Merlot

  • Growing Regions: Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, California, Chile, Italy, Okanagan Valley, Washington, South Africa
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Plum, herb, spice, blueberry, cherry, chocolate, blackberry, currant
  • Acidity: Low
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Roast beef, Tenderloin, pork, quail, duck, pasta with meat sauce, hard cheeses

Mourvedre

  • Growing Regions: Australia, California, Rhone, Spain
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Game, pepper, blackberry, cherry, blackberry, leather, herb and spice
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Stew, roast beef, vegetable dishes

Nebbiolo

  • Growing Regions: Piedmont
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Earth, tar, raspberry, roses, violets, blackberry, wild cherry, plum, truffles
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Venison, Beef Wellington, lamb, ribs, cheddar cheese

Nero d'Avola

  • Growing Regions: Sicily
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Black currant, raspberry, cherry, plum, spice, pepper, smoke
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Full
  • Food Pairings: Roast, ribs, steak, seasoned cheese

Petite Syrah

  • Growing Regions: Australia, California, South Africa
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Currant, pepper, prunes, cassis, leather, plums, cherry and blackberry
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Steak, buffalo, pheasant, roast beef, venison, lamb, ribs, cheddar cheese

Pinotage

  • Growing Regions: California, New Zealand, South Africa
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Pepper, black fruit, wild berry, chocolate, smoke, spice, nut, game
  • Acidity: Moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Venison, ribs, sushi

Pinot Noir

  • Growing Regions: Australia, Burgundy, California, Chile, Tuscany, New Zealand, Okanagan Valley, Ontario, Oregon
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: >Green pepper, chocolate, mushroom, currant, truffle, black cherry, strawberry, spice, raspberry, herb
  • Acidity: Moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Roast beef, tenderloin, roast duck, goose, quail, ham, salmon, leg of lamb, grilled tuna, chicken, veal

Sangiovese

  • Growing Regions: Tuscany, California
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Cherry, raspberry, raisin, olives, earth, plum, spice and anise
  • Acidity: Moderate to high
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, pork, veal, roast, grilled tuna, lamb, chicken, vegetarian dishes

Syrah/Shiraz

  • Growing Regions: Australia, California, Chile, Okanagan Valley, Ontario, Rhone, South Africa, Washington
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Pepper, spice, leather, black cherry, blackberry, jam, spice, tar, smoke and nut
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Grilled steak, venison, lamb, cheddar cheese

Tempranillo

  • Growing Regions: Portugal, Spai
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Leather, spice, cherry, plum, raisin, cassis, vanilla, strawberry, black currant, tobacco and brown sugar
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Pork, lamb chops, chicken, halibut

Zinfandel

  • Growing Regions: California, Italy (Primitivo)
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Jam, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, and black pepper
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Lamb, venison, steak, ribs, fried ham, vegetarian dishes

Grape Varietals - White Wines

Chardonnay

  • Growing Regions: Argentina, Australia, Burgundy, California, Chile, New Zealand, Okanagan Valley, Ontario, Oregon, Washington, South Africa
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Apple, vanilla, peas, fig, peas, melon, pineapple, butterscotch, lemon, grapefruit, spice, peach, honey, pear, butter, hazelnut, mineral and chalk
  • Acidity: Moderate to high
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Chicken veal, sole, pork, turkey, quail, goose, spicy sausage, brie and cream cheeses, grilled halibut, pasta with white or seafood sauce, lobster

Chenin Blanc

  • Growing Regions: California, Loire Valley, South Afric
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Melon, peach, orange, spice, pine, citrus, honey, green apple, mineral and floral notes
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Seasoned chicken, sweet roast ham

Gewurztraminer

  • Growing Regions: Alsace, California, Germany, Okanagan Valley, Ontario
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Lychee nut, grapefruit, perfume and floral notes
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Ham, sausage, turkey, chicken, goose, vegetable lasagna, Asian dishes, lobster, scallops, grilled vegetables

Pinot Blanc

  • Growing Regions: Alsace, Burgundy, California, Germany, Italy
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Pear, apple, spice, citrus, almond, honey and mineral notes
  • Acidity: Moderate to high
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Duck, goose, clams, oysters, steamed vegetables

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris

  • Growing Regions: Alsace, California, Italy, Oregon
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Peach, pear, orange rind, pine, citrus, floral and mineral notes
  • Acidity: Moderate
  • Body: Light to medium
  • Food Pairings: Pasta with vegetables or white sauce, pork, green vegetables, sausage

Riesling

  • Growing Regions: Alsace, California, Germany, Okanagan Valley, Ontario
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Apricot, citrus, peach, honeysuckle, petrol, floral and mineral notes
  • Acidity: Moderate to high
  • Body: Light
  • Food Pairings: Seasoned chicken, lobster, shrimp, crab, sushi made with sole, steamed vegetables, sweet roast ham, sausage, Indian or Asian dishes with German Riesling

Sauvignon Blanc

  • Growing Regions: Australia, Bordeaux, California, Chile, Loire Valley, New Zealand, Okanagan Valley, Ontario, South Africa, Washington
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Apricot, citrus, peach, honeysuckle, petrol, floral and mineral notes
  • Acidity: High
  • Body: Medium
  • Food Pairings: Salmon, sole, cod, shrimp, sushi, green vegetables, brie, vegetable lasagna, duck, goose, fried chicken

Semillon

  • Growing Regions: Australia, Bordeaux, California
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Fig, honey, lemon, pear, gooseberry, vanilla, toast and grass
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Grilled seafood, shellfish, roasted chicken, quail, baked ham, pasta in cream sauce, brie

Viognier

  • Growing Regions: Australia, California, Rhone
  • Bouquet and Flavor Profile: Apricot, peach, honeysuckle, spice, wood perfume and floral notes
  • Acidity: Low to moderate
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Food Pairings: Duck, goose, roasted quail shellfish, smoked salmon, pasta with cream or seafood sauce

Wine & Food Pairing

Meat Dishes

  • Grilled Steak - Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir
  • Hamburger - Any inexpensive wine
  • Roast Beef - Pinot Noir, Merlot
  • Tenderloin - Pinot Noir, Merlot, Bordeaux red
  • Chicken - Most white wines are a good match
  • Duck/Goose - Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rhone red, Bordeaux red
  • Ham - Rose, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer
  • Lamb - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Spanish reds, Italian reds, St. Emilion red
  • Seasoned Lamb - Zinfandel, Rhone red
  • Pork - Chardonnay, Spanish or Italian reds, Merlot
  • Sausage - Gewurztraminer
  • Turkey - Most white wines are a good match, Rose, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
  • Veal - Chardonnay, Gavi, Vernaccia, Chianti, light Bordeaux red or white
  • Venison - Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Syrah, Zinfandel, Rhone red

Seafood Dishes

  • Crab - Riesling
  • Lobster - Dry Riesling, Burgundy white, Champagne
  • Oysters - Muscadet, Chablis, Champagne
  • Salmon - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
  • Shrimp - Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
  • Tuna - Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
  • White fish - Sauvignon Blanc, Soave, Chardonnay

Pasta Dishes

  • Red Sauce - Chianti
  • Vegetables - Pinot Grigio, Valpolicella, Beaujolais
  • White Sauce - Pinot Grigio, Gavi, Chardonnay

Vegetarian Dishes

  • Green Vegetables - Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
  • Bean & Cheese Dishes - Pinot Grigio, Valpolicella, Beaujolais

Asian Dishes

  • Riesling, Gewurztraminer, inexpensive Champagne

Snackfoods

  • Brie - Chardonnay, Semillon
  • Cheddar - Merlot, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Shiraz
  • Chocolate - Champagne