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

Bacchus

Bacchus is a white wine grape that was created by viticulturalist Peter Morio. It is a cross between Silvaner, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. In addition to Germany, it’s also planted in England where it produces wine of reasonable quality. Having been named after a Roman/Greek god, you'd expect a little bit more from this one.

Barbera

Barbera is a red wine grape extensively planted in Italy. It gives good yields and can impart deep colour, low tannins and (unusually for a warm-climate red grape) high levels of acid. The best known appellation is Barbera d’Asti. When young, the wines offer a very intense aroma of fresh red and black berries. In the lightest versions notes of cherries, raspberries and blueberries and with notes of blackberry.

Bastardo

Probably the grape that gets the loudest sniggger. Bastardo is an old variety of red wine grape. It is grown in small amounts in many parts of Western Europe but mainly used in Port, in Portugal. It makes deep cherry red wines with high alcohol and flavours of red berry fruits. Getting trendy nowadays with some funky labels to go along with the funky tasting wines

Bourboulenc

Plantings of Bourboulenc are mainly in the south of France, in Corbières and Minervois, and some in the southern Rhône Valley in the Tavel, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellations.

The white and rosé wines of the southern Rhône Valley constitute less than ten percent of total production, with white wines accounting for only two to three percent. These wines are almost always blended from a number of varieties. In addition to the prevalent Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc is often blended with Clairette, Bourboulenc, Rousanne and Marsanne, notably in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and all may play a minor role in the blend of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Blatina

Blatina is red wine grape variety indigenous to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a dark ruby red colour, particular and characteristic aroma, as well as a full and harmonious taste.

Blauer Portugieser

Blauer Portugieser is a red Austrian and German wine grape found primarily in the Rheinhessen, Pfalz and in the wine regions of Lower Austria.

It is also one of the permitted grapes in the Hungarian wine Egri Bikavér (Bull’s blood). It normally produces a simple light red wine, which is characterized by a fresh, tart and light body

Blaufränkisch

Blaufränkisch is a late-ripening black grape variety gives red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy, masculine character. The grape is grown across Central Europe. In Hungary the grape is called Kékfrankos and is a major ingredient in the famous red wine blend known as Bull’s Blood (Egri Bikavér). In Austria, it's similar in style to Pinot Noir and Aldi were selling bottles of it which weren't too shabby. 

Bobal

Bobal is a native to the Utiel-Requena region in Valencia, Spain. Bobal is the third most planted variety in Spain, which is quite a lot!.

The wines produced tend to be fruity, low in alcohol content and high in acidity.

Bondola

Bondola is a wine grape variety grown in the northern part of Ticino, Switzerland. It is mainly used in traditional wines, mainly by small or family wineries, and thus not very widespread in shops or restaurants. Needless to say, we don't stock it, but if you really want it, just ask!

Brachetto

Brachetto (Italian) or Braquet (French) is a grape variety found in Piedmont (Italy) and in Provence (France) which is used to make both red and rosé wines.

At Canelli, on the border between the hills of Asti and the Lange proper, the grape is known as Borgogna. There is also a Brachetto cultivated in Argentina.

Bual

Bual (or Boal) is a variety of grape used in the production of medium-rich fortified wines from Madeira Island.

So that's it for B, none too inspiring, but they all count.