Sangiovese grapes are common in the Tuscany, are the most planted red grape variety in Italy, and are popular for the production of Chianti wines. Sangiovese flavors and aromas are strong in fruit, especially tart cherries, with floral notes.

Other characteristics of wines made from Sangiovese grapes include firm tannins and high acidity. The exact flavors and aromas of any particular Sangiovese wine depends heavily on where the grapes are grown and how the wine maker creates the wine.

Zinfandel is a red grape which produces red wines with strong flavors and aromas of berries. The berry flavor and aroma of Zinfandel wine can be so strong that some consider it 'jammy' in character Many are familiar primarily with White Zinfandel which is a blush version of Zinfandel, not a true white wine. Other characteristics of Zinfandel grapes include high alcohol content, strong tannins, and slightly spicy flavors.

Pinot Grigio grape skins are usually greyish-blue and darker than those of other white wine grapes, giving the appearance more common to red grapes. These grapes are frequently called Pinot Gris — "Pinot" means pine cone and "gris" means "grey" in French. Pinot Grigio wines tend to have deeper colors than other white wines. Pinot Grigio flavors and aromas include fruit rinds, orange peel, and pear skins. Other Pinot Grigio characteristics include deep, dark colors and low acidity.