Wine Varietals

 As this is not a wine training website, I have been keeping the wine training to the basics of selling. With over 5000  wine grape varieties available throughout this great planet of ours I would only be able to begin to scratch the surface, so I have selected a handful of varieties that are most common in American restaurants and those most recognized by our guests. Listed you will find the varietal, its most common aromas, flavors and body style.

If you learn the basics you can maneuver around most standard wines lists and be able to keep your guests happy.

As stated in prior posts it is very important to learn your wine list and what you have to offer. Part of our job as professional waiters is continuing our education in all areas of our career field.

Wine Spectator offers a handful of free online, self study classes for members (less than $5 a month)  that you may find beneficial in furthering your career.  A small price to pay considering how much more you are going to earn selling wine. (unsolicited endorsement) Check out the main website for many great articles.

By clicking on the varietals listed below you will be taken to Wine Country Getaways for a more in depth explanation of each wine. (unsolicited endorsement)

Between Wine Spectator and Wine Country Getaways you should be able to start expanding your knowledge of wines.

White Wines	Aromas and Flavors	Body
Sparkling Wine	Apple, pear, yeast	Medium
Sauvignon Blanc (also Fume Blanc)	Herbaceous, grassy, hay, citrus, grape-fruity	Light to Medium
Chardonnay	Pear, apple, oak, buttery,creamy	Medium to Heavy
Viognier	Floral, peach, apricot, pear, fruity	Medium
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio	Crisp, pear, peach, apricot	Light
Pinot Blanc	Pear, apple, floral	Medium
Chenin Blanc	Peaches, fruity	Light
Gewurztraminer	Lychee nut, spices, rose petals	Medium
Riesling	Apple, lemon, floral, apricot, fruity	Light

Red Wines	Aromas and Flavors	Body
Pinot Noir	Strawberry, berries, cherry	Light – medium
Merlot	Blackberry, plum, current, chocolate, vanilla	Medium
Zinfandel	Berries, jammy, cherry, earthy	Medium to heavy
Cabernet Sauvignon	Blueberries, black current, cassis, raspberries, oaky	Heavy
Syrah	peppery, spice, blackberry, cinnamon	Medium to heavy
Petite Syrah	Blackberry, pepper, jammy	Heavy
Sangiovese	Cherry, fruity, spice	Light to medium
Cabernet Franc	Raspberry, casis, herbacious	Medium
Barbera	Berries, red fruit	Medium
Malbec	Cherry, strawberry, plum	Medium

Have an awesome day and make more money!

JD

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