The Big Ten
Out of habit, everyone (myself included) keeps referring to the big 6 grape varieties - Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon – but the list seems a little outdated. Where’s the Syrah? Where’s the Zin? Where’s the Sangiovese?
Winemetrics published this list last week based on wine lists in over 10,000 USA restaurants:
Top varieties Consumed:
VARIETY and % DISTRIBUTION
Cabernet Sauvignon 16.2%
Chardonnay 14.9%
Pinot Noir 9.6%
Merlot 9.0%
Cabernet Sauvignon Blends 8.0%
Syrah/Shiraz 5.2%
Sauvignon Blanc 4.5%
Zinfandel/Primitivo 3.9%
Sangiovese 3.4%
Pinot Grigio/Gris 2.8%
Riesling 2.2%
Other 20.2%
Not counting Bordeaux/Cab. Sauv. blends that's 10. It seems like a good time for a revamp.
How about the big 10?
Winemetrics has a great deal more information for wine stats lovers on their site as well. Thanks to Vinography.com for mentioning them.
If you would like to expand your horizons beyond the big 10, please take a look at this month's Wine Blogging Wednesday - Go native! indigenous grape varieties moderated by Dr. Vino.
Comments
from Italy, where Sangioves rulez, is always interesting to look at this tables.
Unfortunately by now we don’t have similar updated info on our habits at dinner for wine consumption. When I will find some, I will forward them to you! Thanks for the post!
[…] …sugli altri vitigni, nella classifica americana pubblicata da Steve di De Long Wine. Mi pare sia sempre tratta dallo studio di WineMetrics sui consumi americani a tavola addirittura su un campione di 10000 ristoranti (fate conto che in una guida gambero ce ne sono sui 3000 quindi vi fate una idea del campione direi abbastanza rappresentativo). Sinceramente pensavo il Sangiovese un pò più in alto dato che mi pare sia la decima varietà al mondo come coltivazione, e invece siamo “ancora” al nono posto. Certo, però che in effetti si può dire che almeno negli USA , Italia = sangiovese! E come altra nota, pensavo che i vitigni spagnoli avessero già colonizzato la ristorazione americana, sarà questione di tempo… Ecco la classifica: […]
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for the comment. I can imagine that Italians are healthily not as statistics obsessed as Americans!
Also interesting to note that Zinfandel is the same as Primitivo, so two Italian varieties are in the top 10!
Restaurant wine is one thing. I heard a ridiculously high majority of all white wine retail purchases in North America is White Zinfandel! That’s sure to skew things a touch.
Yes, supermarket wine is a completely different animal. The good thing about restaurant lists is that they are more likely to be selected by people who appreciate wine even if tempered by popular tastes.
Steve,
This list seems accurate with regards to popularity in the US of varieties. But that is what it represents. Quality is different of course. I remember years ago learning the four noble grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. I had never had a Riesling and was shocked it was not on the list. In terms of “Great” grapes, at quick glance Nebbiolo, Grenache and Tempranillo would certainly need to be added.
Hi Eric,
Yes, Nebbiolo, Grenache and Tempranillo definitely need to be included in the great category. I was surprised that Riesling made it into the top 10 in popularity!
The list could quickly be expanded to 20 great/popular grapes (in no order):
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Chardonnay
3. Pinot Noir
4. Merlot
5. Syrah/Shiraz
6. Sauvignon Blanc
7. Zinfandel/Primitivo
8. Sangiovese
9. Pinot Grigio/Gris
10. Riesling
11. Nebbiolo
12. Tempranillo
13. Grenache
14. Gamay
15. Garganaga (the Soave Grape)
16. Pinot Blanc
17. Cabernet Franc
18. Gewurtztraminer
19. Muscat Blanc
20. Chenin Blanc
And I’ve left off Mourvedre, Albarino, Touriga Nacional, Palamino, Trebbiano, Vernaccia, Verdicchio, Fiano, Greco . . .
YOU FORGET AGIORGITIKO
21. Agiorgitiko
Restaurant wine is one thing. I heard a ridiculously high majority of all white wine retail purchases in North America is White Zinfandel! That's sure to skew things a touch.