TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Néo-Aquitain Grapes Types
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized and celebrated red wine grape varieties. Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, it has spread to virtually every major wine-producing country, becoming a key component of many of the world's finest wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned for its ability to produce full-bodied, robust red wines with a high level of tannins and significant aging potential. The grape itself is small and thick-skinned, which contributes to its deep color and rich tannic structure.
THE BEST Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Varieties
Malbec is a red wine grape variety that is most famously associated with Argentina, although it originally hails from the Bordeaux region of France. It is known for producing deeply colored, full-bodied red wines with strong fruit flavors and smooth tannins.
The grape has found its ideal growing conditions in Argentina, particularly in the Mendoza region, where it has become the country's flagship grape variety. Malbec wines are typically characterized by their dark, inky color and intense flavors of dark fruits such as blackberries, black cherries, and plums.
VARIATIONS OF Malbec
THE BEST Malbec Wine Varieties


Hoteles & Viñedos del Valle de Guadalupe
G&G By Ginasommelier Gran Reserva Malbec 2019
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or 2024

Merlot is one of the most widely planted and popular red wine grape varieties in the world. Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, Merlot is known for producing soft, elegant, and fruit-forward wines. It is often used both as a single varietal wine and as a blending grape, particularly in Bordeaux blends where it is typically paired with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet France.
Merlot wines are generally medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins and acidity. They are known for their smooth, velvety texture and approachable style. The flavor profile of Merlot often includes dark fruit notes such as black cherry, plum, and blackberry, along with hints of chocolate, vanilla, and spices.
THE BEST Merlot Wine Varieties
Cabernet Franc is a black grape variety that is one of the major red grape varieties worldwide. It is often overshadowed by its more famous offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon, but it has its own distinct characteristics and merits. Cabernet Franc is known for producing medium-bodied red wines with a high level of acidity and moderate tannins, making it a versatile grape that can be enjoyed both on its own and as part of a blend.
The grape is grown in many wine regions around the world, but it is most famously associated with the Loire Valley in France and the Bordeaux region. In the Loire Valley, it is the dominant grape in appellations such as Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny, where it produces wines that are lighter and more aromatic than those from Bordeaux.
THE BEST Cabernet Franc Wine Varieties

Villa Yambol
Vineyards Selection Tenevo Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot 2017
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or 2023


Fox Creek Wines
Fox Creek JSM Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc
Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2019
Sauvignon Blanc is a widely cultivated white grape variety known for producing crisp, aromatic, and refreshing wines. Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, Sauvignon Blanc is now grown in many wine regions worldwide, including New Zealand, California, Chile, South Africa, and Australia.
Sauvignon Blanc wines are typically light to medium-bodied and are renowned for their high acidity and vibrant flavor profile. The grape's aromatic qualities often lead to distinctive aromas of green apple, lime, gooseberry, and passion fruit, with herbal notes such as freshly cut grass, green bell pepper, and nettles.
VARIATIONS OF Sauvignon Blanc
THE BEST Sauvignon Blanc Wine Varieties



Spy Valley
Envoy Sauvignon Blanc
International Wine Challenge - International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy 2015
Sémillon is a dry white wine made from Sémillon grapes. Although native to Bordeaux, the grapes are widely grown in Australia in the Hunter Valley, and to a lesser extent in South Africa, Chile, California, Canada, and New Zealand.
After Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Sémillon is the 3rd most planted white wine variety in France. The wine is characterized by its fruity flavors of apple, lemon, green papaya, and pear. The flavor is also waxy, which is often described as lanolin.
THE BEST Semillon Wine Varieties

De Bortoli Wines
Morrisons The Best Botrytis Semillon
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2021 2021

De Bortoli Wines
Marks & Spencer Hermits Hill Botryitis Semillon
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2017 2017



Petit Verdot is a red wine grape variety known for its deep color, robust tannins, and rich flavors. Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, Petit Verdot is traditionally used as a blending grape in Bordeaux wines, particularly in the Médoc and Graves appellations.
Due to its late ripening, it was often challenging to fully mature in Bordeaux's cooler climate, leading to its limited use. However, it has gained popularity in other wine regions with warmer climates, such as California, Australia, and South America, where it can ripen more consistently.
THE BEST Petit Verdot Wine Varieties

Colombard is a white grape variety that is primarily grown in France but is also cultivated in other wine regions around the world, including California and South Africa. Known for its high acidity and fresh, fruity flavors, Colombard is often used in the production of both still and sparkling wines, as well as in the distillation of brandy, particularly in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France.
Colombard grapes produce wines that are typically light to medium-bodied, with a bright, zesty character. The flavor profile of Colombard wines often includes notes of green apple, citrus fruits like lemon and lime, pear, and sometimes tropical fruits such as pineapple and guava.
Petit Manseng is a white grape variety originating from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in southwestern France. It is renowned for its ability to produce high-quality wines, particularly sweet and late-harvest wines, though it is also used to make dry wines.
The grape is characterized by its small, thick-skinned berries, which are resistant to rot and can achieve high levels of sugar while maintaining good acidity. Petit Manseng wines are known for their aromatic intensity and complexity. They often exhibit flavors of tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango, along with citrus notes like lemon and grapefruit.
Arrufiac, also known as Arrufiat, is a white grape variety primarily grown in the Gascony region of Southwest France. It is one of the traditional grapes used in the production of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and other white wines in the region. Arrufiac grapes are known for producing wines with a distinct aromatic profile, often exhibiting floral and citrus notes, along with hints of stone fruit such as peach and apricot, and a characteristic hint of almond or marzipan in the aroma.
Wines made from Arrufiac tend to have good acidity, making them fresh and vibrant, which balances the aromatic richness and gives the wines a crisp and clean finish. The structure is typically medium-bodied, making it versatile for pairing with various foods.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.