Idaho Wine Commission
Idaho’s Top Wine Varietals
Idaho’s near-perfect latitude and variable altitude allow many grape varieties to thrive here.
The Snake River Valley and Eagle Foothills wine appellations in the southern part of the state are considered high elevation wine regions on a latitude comparable to the Rhone region in France and Spain’s Rioja region. The high-desert climate features a shorter growing season with warm, sunny days and cool nights, perfect for balancing sugar and acid.
To the north in Idaho’s Lewis-Clark Valley, lower elevation at the inland seaport of Lewiston allows for a longer growing season. Canyons here surround several of our state’s iconic rivers and create the ideal slope and aspect for sunlight, drainage, and protection from frost and wind.
With this diverse and well-suited geography, it’s no wonder we’ve got the classics covered and lesser known grape varieties flourish here, too.
Idaho’s White Wine Varietals
Riesling
Riesling is one of Idaho’s most prolific grapes with 105 acres devoted to it. This grape from the mountains of Germany does well here despite Idaho’s hot summers because temperatures drop 20 to 30 degrees at night. Idaho Riesling has aromas of rose and honeysuckle and peach and lime on the palate. Some late harvest Rieslings are turned into spectacular, award-winning ice wines.
Pair with: Spicy fish tacos, baked brie and apricot chutney, spicy candied bacon, soy and honey glazed salmon—or serve ice wine alone as a dessert.
Chardonnay
Idaho Chardonnay loves the sunny slopes of the Snake River Valley, making it the fourth-most-planted grape variety overall in the state. Due to Idaho’s warm summers, Chardonnay wines here have flavors of citrus, peach, and melon. Idaho also makes a selection of sparkling wines from this versatile variety.
Pair with: Roasted turkey, parmesan crusted halibut, or baked brie topped with honey.
Viognier
Viognier requires a long, warm growing season, but not so hot that it ripens too quickly. Idaho’s climate provides that perfect balance, giving Viognier a lush, soft character. Known as the red-wine-drinker’s white wine because of its powerful flavors and considerable mouthfeel, some have called this variety, the “Queen of the White Wines” in the Snake River Valley.
Pair with: Apricot glazed grilled pork chops, coconut shrimp with mango dipping sauce, pad thai, vegetable samosas with apricot chutney.
Idaho’s Red Wine Varietals
Merlot
Merlot is the most planted red grape variety in Idaho, with over 90 acres. This red wine cultivar is late maturing and less cold hardy, but thrives in the microclimates of Idaho’s Snake River Valley and Lewis-Clark Valley AVAs. Merlot is a juicy, elegant, and versatile red grape with aromas of black cherry and flavors of cedar and vanilla.
Pair with: Smoked baby back ribs, portobello mushroom ravioli, or blackberry cobbler.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This Bordeaux variety is right at home in Idaho’s wine-growing regions. As Idaho’s fifth-most-planted red grape variety, it is popular as a stand-alone varietal and in Idaho red blends. Idaho “Cab Sauv” tends to be full-bodied with high tannins and acidity that contributes to the wine’s aging potential.
Pair with: Peppercorn topped ribeye, smoked portobello mushroom burgers, or cherry-glazed baby back ribs.
Cabernet Franc
Idaho Cabernet Franc is a brighter, paler red wine that lives up to its namesake—free, open-hearted, and generous. It is often used in Idaho red blends, and, depending on the style of wine, aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, bell pepper, cassis, and violets. Approximately 41 acres of Idaho vineyards are devoted to this grape.
Pair with: Roast chicken with creme fraiche, herb-crusted rack of lamb, roasted asparagus.
Syrah
Syrah grapes thrive in Idaho’s warm summers, similar to the Northern Rhone region in France where they originated. Due to high minerality in the soil, Idaho Syrah can be wonderfully savory with notes of black pepper and violets. Syrah is Idaho’s third-most-planted red grape variety.
Pair with: Teriyaki-glazed chicken skewers, Greek lamb gyros, butternut squash risotto, braised lamb shank.
Malbec
Sun-loving Malbec basks in Idaho’s ample sunshine along the Snake River Valley and on the hilly slopes of the Eagle Foothills. It ripens mid-season and brings deep color, ample tannin, and plum-like flavors to Idaho wines. This deep purple wine is dynamite with Idaho-raised beef and lamb.
Pair with: Smoked brisket, balsamic glazed flank steak, lamb stew, or bruschetta with mushrooms and roasted peppers.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is well-suited to Idaho’s hot, dry, high-elevation vineyards of the Snake River Valley. Idaho happens to have the largest Basque population in the world outside of Spain, so it’s no wonder “Spain’s noble grape” is popular here with 32 vineyard acres planted. Idaho Tempranillo is full-bodied, with notes of vanilla, plum, and strawberry.
Pair with: Basque burger (charred beef topped with serrano ham, pimenton cheese and aioli), or roast pork with cranberry chutney, spinach and bechamel lasagne.
3 AVAs | 6 unique wine regions
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