Top 10 Favorite Wines

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“Wine makes every meal an occasion”, they say. Most people from across the world will agree. Though there are thousands of wines available throughout the world, here is our selection of the top 10 wines consumed across the globe.

Sauvignon Blanc

Named the UK’s favorite wine this year, the Sauvignon Blanc is a classic wine with its origins in France. It is a dry wine with berry or citrus flavors such as lime, green apple, White Peach and Kiwi. It’s a very earthy wine with flavors like green bell pepper, basil, celery, vanilla, and lemongrass.

Wine Color: White

Top Regions:

  • France: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley

  • Spain: Central Spain

  • New Zealand: Marlborough, Gisbourne, Martinborough, and Hawkes Bay

  • USA: Napa Valley

  • Australia: South Australia, and Victoria

  • Also grown in: Italy, Chile, Romania, South Africa, and Moldova

Best Paired With:

  • Meat – Chicken, Pork Chops, Sea Bass, Trout, Halibut

  • Herbs – Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Dill, Chives, Basil

  • Cheese – Soft cheese like Goat Cheese

Chardonnay

One of the most versatile white wines, the Chardonnay that is also a global favorite and may either be light and unoaked or buttery, creamy, oaked and full-bodied. The unoaked one is green with flavors of green apple or peaches (though not quite as full of green flavors as Sauvignon Blanc) while the oaked Chardonnay may be full of mango or pineapple flavor.

Wine Color: White

Top Regions:

Unoaked Chardonnay

  • USA: Sonoma Coast, California

  • Australia: Western Australia

  • France: Loire and Chablis

  • Chile

Oaked Chardonnay

  • USA: Napa Valley, California

  • Australia: South Australia

  • France: Burgundy

  • Argentina

  • Italy

Best Paired With:

  • Meat – Turkey Breast, Pork Loin, Chicken Breast, Cod, Atlantic Salmon, Shrimp

  • Herbs – Rosemary, Lemon Zest, Thyme, White Pepper, Shallots

  • Cheese – Soft or Semi Soft Cow or Goat Cheese

Merlot

With light tannin and medium acidity, this very popular red wine goes well with many meat dishes and is thus well loved the world over. Black cherry and plum flavors dominate this wine made primarily from black grapes.

Wine Color: Red

Best Paired With:

  • Meat – Dishes like Beef Wellington, Roast Duck, Roast Turkey, Rack of Lamb. Does not go well with light fishes, creamy pastas, roast vegetables, chocolates

  • Herbs – Chervil, Mushrooms, Chives

  • Cheese – Sheep’s milk cheeses such as Istara, rind cheeses like Pont l’Eveque. Pairs very well with Gouda

Top Regions:

  • France: Bordeaux, Languedoc-Roussillon

  • Italy: Tuscany, Campania

  • United States: Napa Valley, California

  • Australia: South Australia

  • Also grown in: Chile, Argentina

 

Pinot Noir

Pale red, translucent, subtle Pinot Noir is another international favorite with light cranberry, raspberry and cherry flavors. Vanilla, licorice, cola and caramel flavors are part of its allure. Pinot Noir’s ability to hold light fishes and complex meats at the same time makes it a host’s best friend at parties and restaurants.

Wine Color: Red

Top Regions:

  • France

  • United States

  • Germany

  • New Zealand

  • Italy

  • Australia

  • Chile

  • Argentina

  • South Africa

Best Paired With:

Meat – Grilled Trout, Spiced Duck, Lobster

Herbs – Mushroom Risotto, Wild Mushrooms and Grilled Cheese

Cheese- White Pizza, Comte, French Chevre, and Gruyere Cheese

Champagne

Best known for its initial effervescence (bubbly texture) and as a sparkling celebration wine, the Champagne is originally from France but is now a favorite across the world. While the grapes used to make the Champagne – the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay are available in many parts of the world – appellation rules prohibit the use of this name for wines from outside the Champagne region in France. Through the early years, Champagne became associated with royalty and elite and special celebrations. Today, a number of sparkling wines are referred to by the generic name – Champagne.

Wine Color: Sparkling White/Golden

Top Regions:

France: Champagne region

Best Paired With:

Champagne is a very versatile wine and pairs easily with a number of fruits such as guavas, apples, pears, peaches and strawberries, meats such as light fishes, clams, lightly roasted vegetables, pumpkin, asparagus, avocado dips, sweet salads, herbs such as fennel, and a number of curd-based or candied desserts.

Cheese – Brie, Beaufort, Cheddar, Chevre Cheese

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon varies in flavor and texture depending on the place of its origin and yet it is uniformly loved across the world. Full-bodied yet fragrant, this wine is often blended with other red wines to give them a better structure.

Wine Color: Bright red

Top Regions:

  • France

  • USA

  • Chile

  • Australia

  • South Africa

  • Italy

Best Paired With:

The rich bold flavors of the Cabernet make it a good wine to pair with traditional dishes like beef stew, pork shanks, and black bean rice cakes, barbecued ribs, vegetable tarts, and hamburgers.

Cheese – Cheddar, Chalosse, Comte, Danish Blue, Aged Gouda, Tome de Couserans

Shiraz

The dry, red Shiraz is made from the dark skinned Syrah grapes, originally found in the Rhone Valley of France. Shiraz is a full-bodied high tannin wine that goes well with hearty, high fat preparations. Its ability to go well with rich spicy food makes it a favorite in India and other Asian countries.

Wine Color: Dark Red

Top Regions:

  • France: Cornas, St. Joseph, Côte-Rôtie

  • Australia: Barossa

  • Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Chile

  • USA: Santa Barbara, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley

  • Italy: Tuscany, Sicily

Best Paired With:

It is best paired with high flavor Asian spices such as cumin, black pepper, cinnamon etc. Plum sauces and heavy meals deserve a Syrah/Shiraz.

Meat- Beef, Pork, and Cured Meats

Cheese – Feta, Edam, Gouda, White Cheddar, and Manchego

Pinot Grigio

The light bodied Pinot Grigio is a fresh, crisp, wine with spice, fruit, and floral aromas. This Italian style wine is much loved for its lightness and its ability to go with a picnic or seaside lunch. Most versions of the Pinot Grigio are dry with the exception of the Alsace Pinot Gris made in France.

Wine Color: Light White

Top Regions:

  • Italy

  • USA

  • Germany

  • France

  • Australia

  • New Zealand

Best Paired With:

Pinot Grigo is easily paired with sea food – bass, halibut, squid, shrimp, crab, light salads, and light risottos

Cheese – Gruyere, Muenster, Grana Padano

 

Riesling

Dry, sweet Riesling is a delightful wine with delightful aromas of apple, pear, apricot, and lemon. Its sweetness and versatility makes it an easy choice for hosts. Made from some of the most aromatic grapes in the world, the Riesling is sweet-smelling and may range from a light lime to a full bodied apricot wine.

Wine Color: White

Top Regions:

  • France: Alsace

  • Germany: Pfalz, Mosel, Rheinhessen

  • USA: California, Washington

  • Also Grown In: New Zealand, Australia

Best Paired With:

Riesling is an extremely versatile wine that goes extremely well with different cuisines and dishes. It can be easily paired with most Indian curries and seafood, with Sushi, Vietnamese food, salads, sausages, grilled fruits and vegetables, and veal

Cheese – Parmigiano Reggiano, Humboldt Fog, St. Pete’s Blue, Blue Brie

Grenache

While a typical Grenache looks a lot lighter than the Syrah (Shiraz) it may be full-bodied yet lighter on tannins. With flavors of orange and cinnamon and candies, a Grenache is an all-time favorite red wine, one that will please without overwhelming you.

Wine Color: Red, Translucent

Top Regions:

  • France: Rhone Valley

  • Spain

  • Italy: Sardinia, Sicily

  • USA:  California, Washington

  • Australia:  South Australia

Best Paired With:

  • Meat- Guinea fowl, Turkey Breasts, Pheasant, Pigeon, Sausage, Shepard’s Pie, Rabbit

  • Vegetables – Roasted/caramelized vegetables including potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beets

  • Cheese- Swiss Eye Cheese, Feta, Cream Cheese, Mozzarella, Haloumi

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