Noble grapes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Noble grapes is the classical term used to describe the eight grapes used to create the highest quality wines. There are two qualifications for a grape in order for it to be called "Noble."
1. It has to be able to make top quality wine by itself without any additions or modifications.
2. It has to be grown in different regions of the world, not just in its native region.
Seven of the eight noble grape varieties originated in France. Riesling is the only variety that originated in Germany.
The term is not as commonly used today, partly because of the proliferation of hybrid varieties, and partly because the term originated in France, and some people feel that the term unfairly slights varieties grown in other regions. Still, the term remains useful in understanding the history of wine.
