Vinfolio Blog

Across the world’s many wine growing regions, there are numerous ways to identify the same grape. Some of the most prolific examples include Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, and Muscat, each of which has dozens of names. However, as a quick reference I have listed here only the most common synonyms. For a larger compilation, refer to the list done by Toni Paterson, MW, on Winediva.com.

White

Albariño

Alvarinho (Portugal)

Chardonnay

Morillon (Austria)
Pinot Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Pineau de la Loire
Pineau d'Anjou
Steen (South Africa)

Macabeo (Macabeu in Catalan) - traditionally blended with Xarel-lo and Parellada to make the Spanish sparkling wine Cava.

Viura (Rioja, Spain)

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains - used in Asti, Clairette de Die, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Muscat Frontignan
Moscato Bianco
Muscat de Frontignan
Muscat d'Alsace
Muskateller

Muscat of Alexandria – used for Sherry and liqueurs

Moscatel (Spain)
Hanepoot (South Africa)

Muscadelle

Tokay
Sauvignon Vert

Pinot Gris

Grauburgunder (Austria)
Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Ruländer (Germany)
Tokay d’Alsace
Pinot Auxerrois or Auxerrois Blanc (Alsace)

Pinot Blanc

Weissburgunder or Klevner (Austria)
Pinot Bianco (Spain and Italy)

Riesling

White Riesling
Johannisberg Riesling (named after Schloss Johannisberg)
Rhine Riesling

Trebbiano

Ugni Blanc

Verdelho

Gouveio

Red

Grenache

Garnacha (Spain)

Malbec

Cot (Cahors, France)
Auxerrois Rouge

Mourvedre

Monastrell (Spain)
Mataro (California and Australia)

Nebbiolo

Chiavennasca (Lombardy)
Spanna (Gattinara, Piedmont)

Petit Sirah    

Petit Syrah
Durif (California, Australia, France, and Israel)

Pinot Noir

Pinot Nero (Italy)
Blauburgunder (Austria)
Spatburgunder (Germany)

Sangiovese – has many clones in the Sangiovese Grosso or Sangiovese Piccolo categories. It is the primary component in Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Morellino di Scansanco as well as the star of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino.

Brunello
Morellino
Prugnolo Gentile

Syrah

Hermitage                
Shiraz

Tempranillo - has varying names depending on the region in Spain

Aragonez
Cencibel
Tinto di Toro
Tinto Fino
Tinto Pais
Tinto Roriz (Portugal)
Ojo de Liebre or Ull de Llebre (Catalan for "Eye of the Hare")
Valdepeñas (also used in California)

Common misunderstandings

1. Muscadet is not a grape, but rather a region in the Loire Valley. Muscadet is also a dry white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
2. Muscadelle is not Muscat. These are two different grapes.
3. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is made from Montepulciano grapes whereas Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo gentile).
4. Many grapes that incorporate the word Riesling into their names are not indeed true Riesling. These “false friends” include Welschriesling, Schwarzriesling (Black Riesling), Cape Riesling, and Gray Riesling.

Helpful References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_gris
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscat_(grape_and_wine)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempranillo
http://www.riojawine.com/