In theory, any fruits with high sugar content can be fermented other than grapes. However, only ripe grapes have wild yeasts living on their skins and are full of natural sugars. Therefore, grapes are an ideal fruit to be selected as a main material for wine production.
The differences between wine grapes and table grapes are that wine grapes have thicker skin, more tannin, more seed, and smaller size than those of table grapes. There are many varieties of native grapes and hybrid grapes but only some popular grape varieties can be used to make 90 percent of the world’s wine production capacity. In which, the top five are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a variety created by the accidental hybridization between Cabernet Franc red grape and Sauvignon Blanc white grape.
Cabernet Sauvignon typically has deep red color with thick skin and contains lots of tannins. Its distinctive flavors and aromas are black cherry, black currant, cedar, grilled spices, and a faint smell of graphite.

Shiraz
Shiraz has a strong aroma of tobacco with a hint of black plum. When enjoying Shiraz wine, you can feel the sourness of blueberries and black plums mixed with a slightly sweet and mild taste of milk chocolate. Specially, the spicy aftertaste on the tip of the tongue is said to be the reason why many people fall in love with Shiraz.

Merlot
Grown in Bordeaux, France, Merlot grapes have flavors of cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, vanilla, rose, mint basil, black pepper, spices, butter candies, and others.
Used to be popular in the 90s of the last century, Merlot wines have a tender softness with aromas of plum, cherry, and raspberry, offering an unforgettable taste.

Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the only white grape variety among three classic grapes used in the production of champagne in northern France.
Wine made from Chardonnay has a distinct flavor upon the place where the grapes are grown. However, Chardonnay grape variety usually has unique flavors of fresh yellow apples, sweet and sour star fruits, and juicy pineapples. When enjoying Chardonnay wines, you can feel the slight acidity of tropical fruits, the sweetness of vanilla and the faint scent of butter.

Sauvignon Blanc
In the late twentieth century, the Marlborough area at the northern tip of South New Zealand Island made the reputation of Sauvignon Blanc. The rapid development of this grape variety in Marlborough has been considered as one of the most impressive events of the wine world.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes will have herb flavors namely wormwood vinegar and thyme in combination with notes of green bell pepper and minerals. The typical vineyard regions having these flavors are France, Chile, and New Zealand.