The ultimate A-Z of grapes. A is for...

Aglianico

Aglianico is a black grape grown in the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy. In its youth the wine is very tannic and concentrated, with need of a few years of aging before it can be approachable. As it ages the fruit becomes more pronounced and the tannins more balanced with the rest of the wine.

Agiorgitiko

The leading Greek red varietal. The red wine produced from the grape is characteristically spicy with notes of plum. It has low acidity but good fruitiness and coloring.

Airén

Airén is a white grape and is one of the most common planted in Spain, comprising 30% of all vines. Airén is most abundant in the Valdepeñas and La Mancha regions.

Albariño

Albariño or Alvarinho is a variety of white wine grape grown mainly in Galicia (northwest Spain) and northern Portugal, where it is used to make white wines.

Albariño is the Galician name for the grape. In Portugal it is commonly known as Alvarinho

Aleatico

Not to be confused with Athletico, Madrid's other football team, Aleatico is a red wine grape and is most notable for being the primary grape in the cult wine Aleatico di Portoferraio made in Elba. It is grown most commonly in the Apulia and Lazio region of Italy. In Chile it's known as Red Moscatel.

Alicanté Bouchet

Alicanté Bouchet is a cross between Grenache and Petit Bouschet. Alicante Bouschet is a rare grape which has red colored flesh as well as skin. Due to its red juice, it is used primarily as a blending grape for color and tannin. Originally from Spain, it has become a popularly planted grape in California, with the odd bottle from Burgundy appearing on the shelves of specialist wine shops.

Aligoté

Aligoté is Burgundy’s "second" white grape. It’s also used to make dry white wines with relatively significant plantings in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria, which we don't see a whole lot of in this part of the world.

Altesse

Altesse or Roussette is a variety of white grape found primarily in the Savoy wine region of France. It yields small harvests and ripens late and the wine has exotic aromas, often together with citrus and herbs, with good acidity. Altesse wines are the Anthony Quinn of the wine world. They do age rather well.

Aragones

A synonym for Garnacha or Grenache.

Arbois

Arbois is a variety of white grape occasionally grown in the Loire region of France. It is mainly found in the Jura region, in a town called Arbois. What are the chances?

Arneis

Arneis is a white wine grape variety originating from Piedmont in northwest Italy. The wine made from the Arneis grape tends to be dry and vibrant with aromas of pears and apricots.

Asyrtiko

Asyrtiko is often described as Greece’s best white wine grape. Indigenous to the island of Santorini, but is planted much further afield to make a variety of dry and sweet wines. At time of reading we probably don't stock this, but get in touch and we can source it if you want it.

Athiri

Athiri is a white Greek wine grape used to make Retsina in Rhodes. Noted for its lemon character. Elsewhere in Greece it is blended with Assyrtiko.

Auxerrois

Depending on location, Auxerrois is a synonym for a variety of grapes. “Auxerrois Blanc” is a white wine grape that is widely grown in Alsace, Germany and Luxembourg. In Cahors it’s the local name for Malbec. Same name, different grapes.