PICARDAN A minor red-wine grape grown in the southern Rhone region of France. Traditionally used in red wine blends, but of waning popularity.
PICPOULE A minor red-wine grape grown in the southern Rhone region of France. Primarily used for blending in regional reds.
PINEAU DE LA LOIRE Another name for Chenin Blanc.
PINENC A minor red-wine grape grown in the Pyrenees region of France. Blended with Bouchy, Courbu and Tannat to create the red wine blend Madiran. Also known as Fer, or Fer Servadou, and Brocol, or Braucol.
PINOT BIANCO An Italian clone of Pinot Blanc grown primarily in the Trentino and Fruili regions of Italy. Used to make fresh, fruity whites.
PINOT BLANC A mutation of the Pinot Gris vine grown in the Alsace and Burgundy regions of France, and Austria. Used to make dry, intense whites. In Austria, it is known as Weissburgunder. In California, it is used to make fruity, subtle whites reminiscent of simple Chardonnays, as well as good sparkling wines. Some so-called Pinot Blanc plantings in California are believed to be actually the Melon de Bourgogne, or Muscadet de Bourgogne, grape.
PINOT CHARDONNAY See Chardonnay.
PINOT GRIS A clone of Pinot Noir grown in western coastal regions of the United States. Also called the Malvoisie or Pinot Beurot in the Loire, and formerly in the Languedoc, regions of France. In Germany and Austria it is known as the Rulander or Grauer Burgunder, where it is used to make light white wines drunk young. Versions called Auxerrois Gris and Tokay d`Alsace are also grown in the Alsace.
PINOT MEUNIER A clone of Pinot Noir cepage widely grown in the Champagne (Aube) region of France. Blended with Pinot Chardonnay to make Champagne sparkling wine. Also called Meunier.
PINOT NERO Clone of Pinot Noir grown in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region of Italy. Used to make light red wines.
PINOT NOIR The premier red-wine grape cepage of the Burgundy region of France. Used to produce a red wine that is lighter in color than the Bordeaux reds (i.e., Cabernet and Merlot). Also grown in cooler regions of North America with some success. Characterized by cherry, mint, raspberry, and even truffle-like tones. See also Gamay.
PINOT ST. GEORGE A grape grown on small acreages in California and probably a clone of the Negrette of southern France.
PINOTAGE A red-wine grape crossing between a Pinot Noir clone and Cinsaut widely grown in South Africa. Used to make a popular, robust red wine takes several years to mature. Also widely grown in New Zealand and to a lesser extent in California.
PORTUGIESER A red-wine grape grown in Austria. Used to make a dark red, medium-bodied wine of average quality. Also known as Blau Portugieser.
PRIMITIVO DI GIOIA A minor red-wine grape grown primarily in the Apulia region of southern Italy. Its dried grapes are used to make a robust, portlike red wine. The ever-popular Zinfindel of California may be a clone that was erroneously renamed after importation in the 19th century.
PROSECCO A minor white-wine grape grown in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Primarily used to make both crisp, dry whites and also sweet, perfumy sparkling wines.
R
RAUSCHLING An ancient minor white wine grape still grown in the Alsace region of France. Occasionally blended with Knipperle, Chasselas, and Muller-Thurgau grapes in Vin d`Alsace generic wines.
RAVAT (VIGNOLES) A French-American hybrid white-wine grape related to Chardonnay widely grown in the cooler regions of North America. Used to make dry, late-harvest and ice-wines. Popular as a dessert wine.
RAVAT NOIR A French-American hybrid red-wine grape related to Pinot Noir grown in the eastern regions of the United States. Used to make a light, candy-flavored red wine.
REFOSCO An ancient red-wine grape native to and grown in the Friuli-Venezia-Giuia region of Italy. Used to make a robust, intense red wine. Wine from this grape is also purported to have been the favorite of Livia, the second wife of Augustus Caesar. Grown to a lesser extent in cooler, coastal regions of California. Mondeuse of the Savoie region of France may be a clone.
