The world's great wine grape varieties
The top 3 according to 20 votes from people: Cabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Tempranillo. (Updated Sep 12, 2026.)
The grape varieties behind the world's great wines, roughly in order of vineyard area (OIV data via Sommy, Forbes and Decántalo), plus the noble grapes that punch above their acreage.
Top 15
-
1
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most planted wine grape: Bordeaux's Left Bank, Napa, Chile; blackcurrant and firm tannins.
-
2
Merlot
Soft, plummy red; France's most planted variety, star of Pomerol.
-
3
Tempranillo
Spain's red: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro.
-
4
Chardonnay
The most planted white of note: Burgundy, Champagne and the New World.
-
5
Syrah / Shiraz
Northern Rhône and Barossa, peppery and dark.
-
6
Pinot Noir
Burgundy's delicate red, also in Champagne and Oregon.
-
7
Grenache / Garnacha
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Priorat and Spanish rosados.
-
8
Riesling
Germany's noble white, from bone dry to sweet.
-
9
Sangiovese
Italy's most planted red: Chianti and Brunello.
-
10
Airén
Spanish white that long covered more vineyard area than any other.
-
11
Nebbiolo
Barolo and Barbaresco's tannic, rose-scented red.
-
12
Malbec
Argentina's flagship red, from Cahors originally.
-
13
Pinot Grigio / Gris
Light Italian whites and richer Alsace versions.
-
14
Chenin Blanc
Loire whites from Vouvray to Savennières, and South Africa's workhorse.
-
15
Sauvignon Blanc
Zesty white of Sancerre and Marlborough.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (13)
Pinot Noir should be higher, the most elegant red grape.
Riesling is the most underrated white.
Cabernet Sauvignon at #1 because it's planted everywhere, makes sense.
Sangiovese for Chianti and Brunello.
Tempranillo in the top 3, ¡viva Rioja! 🇪🇸
Where's Chenin Blanc?
Grenache deserves more love.
Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough changed the game.
Malbec, thank you Argentina.
Nebbiolo makes the best wines in the world, Barolo and Barbaresco.
Great primer for beginners.
Nebbiolo is the most underrated grape on this list.
Grenache/Garnacha is having a moment.