The most important factor in the taste of the wine, is of course the types of grapes used in makig the wine. Other factors may affect the flavor as well, including the soil, climate, sunlight, how the grapes are handled, how the grapes are fermented, and whether the wine is aged in wooden barrels or other materials. These factors mean that the same type of wine produced in different wine growing regions can taste very different. In fact, the same type of wine from two different vineyards within any given wine region can taste quite different. Most of the fun of tasting wines, are the vast array of flavors available.

You may see the term ‘varietal’ in referring to wines. This simply refers to the type of grape used in making a particular wine. For example, Chardonnay grapes are used to make Chardonnay wines, Merlot grapes are used in Merlot, and so on. Many wine producing countries and states have regulations regarding the amount of a particular type of grape that must be present in that type of wine. In California and Washington, the wine must have 75% of a particular grape to be referred to by that name. For example, Chardonnay must have at least 75% of Chardonnay grapes. In Oregon, wines must have at least 90% of the named grape. Other regions, such as Alsace, require 100%.