CAPE RIESLING A white-wine grape sparsely grown in the Pyrenees region of France, and now called the Crouchen varietal; unrelated to the Riesling grape. Used to produce whites with good aging potential. Also called the South African, or Paarl Riesling.
CARIGNANE Semi-classic red-wine grape grown in southern France and Spain, Italy, and the Central Coast of California. Most often used for blends and vin de table. In California it is used in Rhone-style blends with Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah, in imitation of Chateauneuf du Pape. Called Carinena and Mazuelo in Spain, Gragnano in Italy.
CARINENA See Carignane.
CARLOS A Muscadine hybrid using native American species grape grown primarily in N. Carolina and Mississipi. Related to the Scuppernong grape.
CARMENERE A red-wine grape grown in very limited quantities in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France. Used in blends in the style of Petit Verdot.
CATARRATTO BIANCA A white-wine grape native to Sicily where it is found widely grown along the western coast.
CATAWBA A native American grape, vitis labrusca, widely grown in the Eastern United States and Canada. Used to produce sweet, foxy white, red and rosé wines. New York state wineries also use this grape extensively in sparkling wines, and an extremely sweet ice-wine.
CAYUGA (WHITE) A white-wine grape hybrid of Johannisberg Riesling and Seyval Blanc. Widely grown in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and other cool regions of North America. Used to produce a fruity, delicate white similar to wines produced from Aurore.
CESANESE A red-wine grape of ancient origin grown primarily in the Latium region of central Italy. Also known as Bonvino Nero.
CHAMBOURCIN (NOIR) A French-American hybrid red-wine grape grown primarily in the cooler regions of the Eastern United States and Canada, and to a lesser extent in Europe, where European Union rules prohibit its blending with traditional varieties. Used to make fruity, herbaceous reds.
CHANCELLOR (NOIR) A French-American hybrid red-wine grape native to the Rhone Valley of France; was once widely grown in France, but is now being replaced with European Union approved varieties. Also grown in the cooler regions of the Eastern United States and Canada. Used to produce high quality reds and rosés.
CHARBONO A red-wine grape grown on small acreages in California. Possibly a clone of the Douce Noir grape found in the Savoie region of France, better known as the Dolcetto grape widely grown in northern Italy.
CHARDONNAY A noble white-wine grape grown in France, widely planted in the Burgundy, Chablis and Champagne regions of France, the Pacific Northwest, Australia and New Zealand. In the Champagne region it is known as the Pinot Chardonnay grape. Used to produce fruity whites of varying dryness that are often aged in small oak barrels for enhanced flavor and bouquet.
CHASSELAS A minor white-wine grape widely grown in Switzerland, the Loire and Savoy regions of France, and New Zealand. Also known as Perlan in the Mandement canton of Switzerland. Most often used to make a full, dry and fruity white, although in New Sealand it is used for making a sweet white. In the Loire it is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make Pouilly-sur-Loire.
CHELOIS A French-American hybrid red-wine grape grown primarily in the cooler regions of the Northern U.S. and Canada. Used to produce robust, fruity reds with a dry finish similar to Cabernet.
CHENIN BLANC An acidic white-wine grape most widely grown in the Anjou region of France. Also known as Steen in South Africa, and Pineau de la Loire in the Loire region of France. Used to produce a variety of whites from dry to sweet; Anjou is known for its fine sweet wines that may take ten years to mature. In the United States it is typically used in generic jug wines as an acidity enhancer.
Chewy Especially full-bodied or tannic, eliciting the need to almost chew before swallowing.
CINSAULT A semi-classic red-wine grape widely grown in southern France, Lebanon, and South Africa. Used as component in some Côtes du Rhone blends. In South Africa, it is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
CLAIRETTE A minor red-wine grape grown in the south of France. Blended with the Muscat grape to create a sparkling red.
Clean Having a fresh balance of aroma, appearance and flavor.
