Either because you like to eat it, or because you like the world of wine, you are interested in knowing how many types of grapes there are in the world. However, this answer may overwhelm you. Or maybe pose a challenge for your life.
In fact, there is even a club with more than 1,300 members who pride themselves on having tasted at least 100 grape varieties (there will be those who have tasted more and are on the verge of entering the select club). But, compared to all there is, there may not be many. Let’s find out!
How many types of grapes are there in the world
If right now you are wondering how many different types of grapes there are, the answer may catch your attention because, according to experts, there are about 10,000 different varieties.
This means that there is a wide variety of them, and surely hybrids or others that, for now, are not official, are not taken into account.
Note that all these types of grapes are for eating (the so-called table grapes), for wine, for raisins… that is, they have several uses, although many of them can also be used for various purposes .
How many types of grapes are there in Spain?
10,000 is the number of grape varieties in the world. But of this number, some of them come from Spain. How much? A small part, a total of 235 varieties, although there were apparently another 300 that were being identified, and 210 of them were unknown and had no name (we are talking about 2015). For what the figure in Spain could reach 535.
Without knowing what happened (because we have not found any information on this), so far Italy and Portugal have overtaken Spain with 400 and 300 varieties respectively.
The most planted and well-known grape varieties in the world
Now that you have a better idea of the types of grapes that exist in the world, you will come to the conclusion that not all are eaten equally. Some are more popular than others. Actually, if we looked at the production classification, we would see that the same types are almost always marketed, which makes it very difficult for minorities to reach the palaces and try them.
But, among the most produced, what are the varieties? In the world, the most important to date are:
- Cabernet Sauvignon. It originates from the French Médoc although it is already found in practically the whole world. This variety is fashionable and is one of the most consumed. In Spain it can be found, especially in Catalonia, the Ribera del Duero and Navarre, but little by little more and more cities are being encouraged to cultivate it.
- Sultana. This variety is one of those that you may like the most, since we are talking about a seedless variety. It is the best known, the most famous and the most commercialized in the world. And yes, it’s white grapes.
- Merlot. It is a red grape variety which is mainly used for the production of aromatic wines. Its origin is from Bordeaux and its production is similar to that of Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Tempranillo. It is a red grape variety, also very present in Spain.
- Airen. It is a white grape variety, and it is the most present in Spain.
- Kyoho. The latter is cultivated in very few countries. Where else, in China. It is a table grape (that is, for eating it) which is characterized by being very juicy and sweet.
The most famous Spanish grape varieties
If we focus on the specific case of Spain, there are different types of grapes known and cultivated. These are:
- Airen. Until 2020 it was the most abundant grape production in Spain. However, it was first surpassed by the Tempranillo variety. This is characterized by very large bunches and very tightly packed grapes. It is produced mainly in Ciudad Real, Madrid, Toledo, Murcia and Albacete.
- Tempranillo. It is a very aromatic red grape with a very thin skin. Of all the grapes in Spain, this is perhaps the most valued and important. It is grown in many places in Spain, not only in Castilla La Mancha and Madrid, but also in La Rioja, Calatayud, Cuenca…
- Garnacha Tintorera. You may have never seen this before, or maybe you have. It is a red grape variety which has the particularity of also having a colored pulp (there is only one other which has the same characteristics, Alicante Bouché).
- brunal. It is a red grape grown mainly in Castilla y León and which gives small bunches and also very small hard-skinned grapes. His skin is between blue and black.
- Maccabee. If you’ve ever wondered which grape variety is used for cavas, here’s the answer (in fact it’s a trio, with parellada and Xarel·Lo or Xarello). It is a white grape variety.
- Muscat. The muscat grape variety in Spain is very famous. But also very rich. It is aromatic and eaten as a table grape, although it can also be used in wines. However, keep in mind that it has a high sugar content (it’s one of the biggest killers for diabetics).
- Pierre Jimenez. Another of the high sugar white grapes. It is present mainly in the south of Spain.
- Verdejo. White grape variety appreciated above all for the production of aromatic, unctuous and full-bodied wines. This variety is the one that characterizes the DO Rueda.
Which variety is the sweetest grape
If you are one of those who love sweets and would like to eat the sweetest grape possible, then you must choose muscat grapes. These are very popular in Spain, but they are not easy to get and they are not cheap either.
And the most acidic grapes?
Now, if you are on the other extreme, you like more acidic grapes, then you have to go for more viniferous wines like Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon or Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc or Gruner Veltliner.
As you can see, there are many types of grapes in the world, and trying them all is practically a challenge that only the wealthiest could overcome, as there are surely varieties that are impossible to obtain easily. Now we ask you, How many different grapes did you eat or drink?