If you find you’re always reaching for the same grape varieties and countries and want to switch it up without being disappointed, then read on below for my recommendations on variety substitutes!
When it comes to finding an alternative grape variety, you have to think about what makes you love it in the first place.
A typical Sauvignon Blanc – this variety has two distinctive characteristics which are:
1. It’s high acid content making those tropical fruity notes of melon, gooseberry and passionfruit taste brighter and causes your mouth to water.
2. A green quality of herbal (green pepper and grassy) flavours that set it apart from many aromatic wines.
If you’re a fan of the above characteristics in a wine, then give the following a taste:
1. Verdejo
a. Typically has some citrus blossom on the nose with zippy lime, grapefruit and some hints of fresh cut grass and fennel on the palate like those green qualities found in a Sauvignon Blanc.
2. Albariño (Spain) or Alvarinho (Portugal)
a. Typically has a riper flavour of peaches, oranges and melon but still retains that lovely high acidity like a Sauvignon Blanc.
Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape variety in the world and is found in a range of styles both sparkling and still. This variety has some variation in styles which are influenced by the climate (cool or warm) and whether they’re oaked or not.
Generally, cool climate Chardonnay will have:
1. Higher acid content with notes of lemon, apple and an undertone of melon on the palate. When oaked you can expect more texture and aromas of toasted almonds or baked apples.
Generally, warm climate Chardonnay will have:
1. Lower acid content with notes of apples and riper tropical fruits like pineapple, and when oaked adding a creaminess to the palate with aromas of vanilla, butter or baking spice.
Therefore, if you’re a fan of an Oaked Chardonnay, I would suggest you try:
1. Roussanne
a. Typically has notes of lemon, apricot, honey and white blossom and is usually full bodied with a creamy finish like that of an oaked Chardonnay.
2. Trebbiano Toscana (Italy) or Ugni Blanc (France)
a. Typically has aromas of apple, peach, lemon and melon with a good level of acidity like that of an oaked cool climate Chardonnay.
The Shiraz grape variety has some distinctive characteristics:
1. Typically has some juicy black fruit notes such as blackberry and blueberry and can also exhibit some red fruit flavours such as red cherry.
2. Will have balanced tannins with some smoky and spicy aromas such as pepper, cedar and tobacco.
If you’re a lover of the Shiraz then you should try:
1. Zinfandel (California) or Primitivo (Italy)
a. A rich, full bodied wine with blackberry, blueberry and cherry fruit notes. Accompanied with some black pepper spice and tobacco aromas like that of a fuller bodied Shiraz.
2. Grenache (France) or Garnacha (Spain)
a. A lighter bodied wine with a fruiter taste of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. However, can still have a spicy undertone of anise, cinnamon and tobacco like that of a Shiraz.
Cabernet Sauvignon is another firm favourite of many wine drinkers, but there are many different styles as this variety really adapts to the region that it grows in. Generally, you can categorise the different styles to Old and New World (with some exceptions of course).
1. Old World Cabernet Sauvignon will likely be blended provide power, structure and intense fruit flavours like blackberry, plum and black cherry. Oaked versions will develop bold characteristics of cedar, leather, tobacco and vanilla.
2. New World Cabernet Sauvignon will likely be a single varietal wine and tend to be riper and more fruit forward with less acidity than that of those from the Old World.
Potential substitute wines could be:
1. Tempranillo
a. Like the Cabernet Sauvignon this variety can also be expressed in a range of styles and is primarily found in Spain and Portugal. The fruitier styles (labelled as Joven or Crianza) will have notes of cherry, fig and plum. The bolder styles (labelled as Reserva or Gran Reserva) will have more exposure to oak and generally have a bolder flavour profile with leather, cedar and tobacco notes.
2. Tannat
a. A variety that packs a punch like Cabernet Sauvignon with power, structure and complexity. Full of black currant and plum notes, which are balanced in the palate with aromas of liquorice, smoke and spice.