University of California grape experts have reached back into their archives and found a gem — or perhaps a series of gems.

“Variety Focus” was a UC-Davis Extension symposium that was given over seven years, beginning in 2005, with each year focusing on a different variety. The lectures were by various speakers, including UC faculty and farm advisors, California growers and winemakers, as well as guests from the focus variety’s country of origin.

Many of the lectures were videotaped, and the UC-Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has picked out five such lectures and assembled them on a one-stop website for those who wish to learn more about some of the state’s most popular or interesting varieties. Here’s what’s available:

Grapes of the Rhone varieties — This May 25, 2006 seminar examined the origin of Rhone varieties, their role in the regional wines of the area, and their history in France and the New World. They explained the importance, development, and selection of clones and the role of terroir — or natural environment — in the performance of the vines.

The lecturers discussed well-known Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Mourvedre, and Grenache Noir, as well as more minor varieties such as Cinsault, Picardin, Clairette, and Mucardin.

Speakers included Wayne Farquhar, executive officer of South Australia Vine Improvement Incorporated; Francois Perrin of Tablas Creek Vineyard and Chateau de Beaucastel; and Remington Norman, author of “The Finest Rhone and Rhone Style Wines from France and the New World”.

Zinfandel — Lectures on May 31, 2007 examined this unique variety, with experienced Zinfandel winegrowers discussing their use of the grape. The workshop included talks on the variety’s origin and the importance, development, and selection of clones.

The speakers included Ivan Pejic and Edi Maletic of the University of Zagreb in Croatia, a nation that is now believed to be the home of Zinfandel. The talks aimed to increase awareness of the variety’s potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon — The one-day course on May 15, 2008, was the next in the series of workshops to focus on the viticultural side of select wine grape varieties. Lecturers examined Cabernet Sauvignon, which experts say is renowned for its use in red winemaking worldwide.

Talks covered the variety’s origin and the role of clones, and featured Cabernet winegrowers who discussed their experiences. Guest speakers from France, the home of Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux varieties, included Christophe Sereno of ENTAV-ITV. Other speakers included Charles Sullivan, a leading expert on the history of California wine.

Grapes of Iberia — The May 14, 2009 symposium centered on the viticulture side of grape varieties from the Iberian Peninsula, which is present-day Spain and Portugal in Southwest Europe.

Lectures covered the varieties’ origins, their role in the regional wines of the area, the challenging issue of naming conventions and synonyms of the varieties, and their history in both Europe and the New World. Other talks discussed clone selection and the role of terroir in vine performance.

Speakers included Jorge Boehm of Viveiros Plansel in Portugal; Jesus Yuste of Instituto Tecnologico Agrario de Castillo y Leon in Valladolid, Spain; and Earl Jones of Abacela Vineyards and Winery in Roseburg, Ore.

Sauvignon Blanc — The May 6, 2010 installment focused on the aromatic variety from the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions of France. The region produces some of the world’s most distinctive dry white wines.

Topics included the role of Sauvignon blanc in the wines of France and regional wines from other areas, particularly California. Lecturers included Jean-Michel Boursiquot of Montpellier SupAgro-IFV, France; and Mike Trought, a senior scientist at the New Zealand Instituet for Plant and Food Research.

Links to all of the presentations can be found at http://fps.ucdavis.edu/VarietyFocus.cfm