U.S. and international labels
A comfortable place to start
Many U.S. wines are labeled by grape—Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and so on. Many European wines emphasize their place, with the permitted grapes shaped by local tradition and appellation rules. Learning a few connections can help you explore familiar grapes under unfamiliar labels.
Red Bordeaux may include Cabernet Sauvignon along with Merlot and other grapes. Red Burgundy is generally Pinot Noir, while white Burgundy—including Chablis and Meursault—is generally Chardonnay. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are commonly Sauvignon Blanc, and Northern Rhône reds such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage are based on Syrah. In Australia, Syrah is commonly called Shiraz.
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Place, climate, blends, appellation rules, and winemaking traditions create real differences. These connections are starting points for comparison, not promises that two bottles will taste alike.