Cabernet Franc is a blue-black grape that is grown around the world, mostly for blending with other red wine grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also for its own varietal wines. Cabernet Franc is also commonly used for ice wines in North America. The varietal wines created from Cabernet Franc grapes is bright red because of the light color of the grapes.

On the one hand the aromas of Torrontés are reminiscent of Gewürztraminer or Muscat; on the other hand, the texture and flavor are reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. Torrontés needs to be served well-chilled and protected from oxygen — too much warmth and/or too much exposure to oxygen will quickly eliminate its characteristic aromas. Torrontés is also best young because its flavors and aromas don't survive forever in the bottle.

You can get Torrontés wines from other regions, like New Zealand, but Argentinian Torrontés is the place to start. The word torrontés is Spanish for "torrent," a very appropriate label considering its potent flavors and aromas. According to marketing researchers, the primary consumes of Torrontes today are young female wine drinkers.

Viognier is traditionally grown in France's northern Rhone valley, but it has also been doing well in the New World, for example California. Viognier wines from France's northern Rhone valley tend towards strong floral aromas; Viognier wines from Languedoc in the south of France tend to be drier, more acidic, lighter in texture, and have more citrus flavors. Wines made with Viognier grapes should generally be drunk young (before 18 months or so) and well-chilled.

Gamay grapes grow especially well in the Beaujolais district of France where they are used to produce Beaujolais wines. Although the Gamay grape itself has lots of tannins, the resulting Gamay wines are characterized by fairly low tannins. Wines made from Gamay grapes have fresh, fruity flavors like strawberry and raspberry and aromas of pears.

Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile white grape variety that create white wines ranging in flavor from grassy to mineraly to fruity. Other Sauvignon Blanc flavors and aromas include apples, melons, peppers, and smoke. Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more grassy when picked early, more fruity when picked late. Sauvignon Blanc flavors also depend heavily on where the grapes are grown. The most famous wines made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from Bordeaux and the Loire valley in France.