Some Varietal Wines You May Not Have Heard About . . . but Should Try

Over 10,000 different varieties of wine grapes grow around the world. Winemakers commonly use only a tiny fraction of these. Some of the most well-known grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Other varieties of Vitis vinifera are so obscure or only locally produced that you may never see them available, like Dureza, Kangoun, and Nascetta. Then there’s great wine grapes producing flavorful, well balanced wines that are available when you order wine online, but that many people are not familiar with. 

Today, we’ll review some of them: Mencia, Godello, Pinotage, Torrontes, and Carmenere with recommended red and white wines for when you buy wine online.

Carmenère

These are approachable and easy to enjoy feautring soft tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Originally from Bordeaux, Carmenère is now associated distincitvely with Chile, where for a long time locals believed it was Merlot. It the 1990s, scientiststs realized the country had a wealth of ancient Carmenère vineyards. Carmenère wines are known for their deep color, medium to full body, and rich, smooth texture. They often display flavors of dark fruit such as blackberry and plum, along with notes of green bell pepper and tobacco; they can be a bit spicy. They pair well with a variety of foods, particularly grilled meats and some long-aged cheeses. “Carmenère” now says “Chile.” It has become one of the top distinct expressions of Chilean winemaking and showcases the country's ability to produce high-quality red wines from something other than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Try: The 2020 Calcu Gran Reserva Carmenere from the Colchagua Valley

Mencia 

Mencía is a red grape variety primarily found in Green Spain; that is, the northwestern region containing the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, and Valdeorras appellations. This grape produces wines with vibrant fruit flavors, lively acidity, and floral aromas. Mencía wines are often compared to Pinot Noir for their light to medium body and silky texture, but they also possess a distinctive earthy and mineral character that reflects regional terroir. These wines can range from fresh and fruity to more complex and age-worthy, depending on the winemaking style and vineyard location. Overall, Mencía wines offer a unique expression of distinctive Spanish vineyard terroirs. They are rapidly gaining recognition among wine experts for their value.

Try: The 2019 Virgen del Galir Pagos del Galir Mencia from Valdeorras. 

You will love what’s inside this red wine bottle if you like Pinot Noir!

Godello

Godello has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with winemakers increasingly recognizing its potential to produce high-quality, distinctive wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region. Godello is a white grape variety. Like Mencia (above) it’s primarily grown Green Spain, particularly in the Valdeorras, Bierzo, and Monterrei appellations. Godello wines are boast aromatic complexity, rich texture, and vibrant acidity. You will usually encounter notes of citrus, pear, and apricot, with hints of minerality and floral undertones. The grape's thick skins contribute to its ability to retain acidity even in warm climates, resulting in wines that are well-balanced and age-worthy. In many ways, it features a lot of similarity to Chardonnay.

Try: The 2019 Escalada Do Sil Blanco, also from Valdeorras, an amazing white wine bottle

Pinotage

Pinotage wines are known for their deep red color and bold flavors, with characteristic notes of dark fruit such as blackberry and plum; sometimes there are hints of banana and a distinctive smokiness, which will depend on the winemaking. Pinotage is a red grape variety mostly grown in South Africa, where South Africans’ proudly consider it their signature grape. That’s because it was created there by a scientists who experimented with grape breeding. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (also known as Hermitage), developed in 1925. The grape's thick skins contribute to its intense color and tannic structure, making Pinotage wines suitable for aging. While some styles of Pinotage can be quite robust and tannic, others are more elegant and fruit-driven, offering a range of expressions that appeal to different palates. Overall, Pinotage wines are unique and intriguing, reflecting the rich winemaking heritage of South Africa.

Try: The 2021 Simonsig Pinotage from Stellenbosch

Torrontés

Torrontés produces wines renowned for their floral aromas, often reminiscent of roses and jasmine, as well as vibrant fruit flavors, including notes of peach, apricot, citrus, and even pineapple. As a white wine grape variety, Torrontés is totally associated with Argentina. It reaches perfection in the high-altitude regions of Salta and La Rioja. Torrontés wines are typically light to medium-bodied, with crisp acidity and a refreshing finish. They are best enjoyed young to preserve their fresh and aromatic character, although some winemakers are experimenting with oak ageing. Torrontés is considered one of Argentina's signature white grape varieties, offering a unique and aromatic expression of the country's diverse wine regions.

Try: The 2023 Bodegas Colome Torrontes from Salta