Wine Guide — Varietal
Tempranillo (Tinta Fino, Tinta Roriz)
Made famous by Rioja, this dry, medium full body wine is full of cherry & savory dried fig flavors, as well as earthy flavors like tobacco & dill. While it does not get as rich as Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a very complex wine with layers start to finish.
Muscat
Moscato or Muscat Blanc is one of the oldest grape families, dating back to the times of Cleopatra. Runor has it that Muscat of Alexandria was Cleopatra's favorite drink. An ancient aromatic white originating from Greece, it is known mostly as a off dry wine with peach & orange blossom notes, but it can be made in a variety of styles.
Cabernet Franc
The "Godfather" grape. If you have a look at lineage, a lot of popular grapes today like Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot are the offspring of Cabernet Franc. It's unique flavor is a "green" note, often described as bell peppers, which can be more like roasted red peppers from warmer climates. It's a result of a compound called methoxypyrazines, which acts as a natural pest defense system.
