print this pageSelect 101 - White Wines
As we have different kinds of apples and potatoes, there are many types of grapes. Wine grape varieties represent only a small portion of all existing kind of grapes. Only a few grapes that offer the right combination of characteristics su ch as color, size, skin thickness, acidity, yield and flavors have found their way into the world's wines.
The type of grapes used determines a large part of the character of a wine.The characteristics of the most common grape varieties are presented below.
However, note that not all Chardonnays or Cabernet Sauvignon taste the same. The environmemt in which it is grow (climate, terroir,..), wine making, aging and other men intervention make it unique.
Varietals
Chardonnay
Characteristics
Delicate fruit flavours, vary greatly depending on where it is grown and from winemeking techniques.
Green fruit (apple, pear), high natural acidity, dry (in cool climate) – citrus & stone fruits (peach), medium/high acifity, dry (in moderate climate ) – tropical fruit (pineapple, melon, banana), medium acidity, dry (in hot climate)
Other: oak, butter, hazelnut, vanilla, mineral
Classic Regions
France: Burgundy (Chablis, Côte de Beaune, Macônnais)
Other Premium Regions
Australia (Adelaide Hills, Margaret River)
California (Sonoma, Coastal Region)
Chile (Casablanca, Central)
Argentina (Mendoza)
France (Vin de Pays d’Oc)
Food Pairing
New World: grilled vegetables, soft cheese, turkey and chicken
Old World: creamy cheeses, seafood & shellfish, asparagus
Also Blended With
Pair with Semillon
Chenin blanc
Characteristics
One of the most versatile grape. Dry to off-dry. Floral, honeyed character,zesty acidity
Other: cantaloupe, vanilla, smoke
Classic Regions
France (Loire)
Other Premium Regions
California
Food Pairing
An aperitif on its own. Bbq chicken, fish in creamy sauces, mussels, fruit based desserts
Gewürztraminer
Characteristics
Intensely perfumed, full-bodied, high alcohol – floral perfume (rose, orange blossom), tropical and stone fruit (lycheee, peach, grape)
Other: musky sweet spices (ginger, cinamon), meat, honey, nut
Can be dry, off-dry, medium and sweet
Classic Regions
France: Alsace
Other Premium Regions
Germany
Food Pairing
Herbs & strong cheese, chicken stir-fry, Tandoori flavoured dishes, chinese, pasta, onion tart, exotic fruit salad
Pinot Blanc
Characteristics
Light aroma & body. Fruit (apple, peach, melon), nut.
Classic Regions
France (Alsace)
Other Premium Regions
Italy (Veneto)
Food Pairing
Spicy, Meaty Tomato-Based Sauces, Asian Styled Noodles, quiche, mussels
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
Characteristics
Dry (most of the time), medium /light body, high acidity, usually unoaked, delicate citrus (lemon), green fruits (green apple)
Pinot Gris: fullier-bodied, crisp, spicy tropical fruits (ginger, banana, melon)
Other: hints of melon, honey
Classic Regions
Italy: Trentino, Veneto, Fiuli)
Other Premium Regions
France: Alsace
Oregon
California
Food Pairing
Perfect apperitif sipper. Chinese, Indian, and Thai dishes, Tex-Mex, smoked salmon, tuna, pork, potato salad
Riesling
Characteristics
Pronounced aromatic character with the ability to express the nuances of the individual vineyard sites whatever the style (dry, medium, sweet). Green fruit (green apple, grape), hint of citrus (lemon), high acid (cool climate) – citrus (fresh lime)and stone fruit (white peach), high acid, usually dry (moderate climate )
Other: honey, tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), mineral, smoky petrol-like, botrytis
Classic Regions
Germany: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz
Other Premium Regions
France: Alsace
Australia:Clare Valley, Eden Valley
Food Pairing
Poached trout/sole, Southeast Asia & Indian Curry sauce, grilled or sautéed sausage, pumpkin pie
Also Blended With
Riesling is almost never blended. Potentially with other aromatic vareties
Sauvignon Blanc
Characteristics
Generally light, crisp, aromatic and almost always dry.
Pungent vegetal and green fruit (asparagus, green bell pepper, gooseberry), high acid (cool climate) – less pungent, stone fruit, medium/high acid (moderate climate)
Other: green fruit, grass, mineral
Classic Regions
France: Loire (Sancerre, pouilly fume), Bordeaux b (Pessac-Leognan, Graves and Sauternes)
Other Premium Regions
New Zealand: Marlborough
California: Napa (Fume blanc)
Chile: Casablanca, Central Valley
France: Vins de Pays d’Oc
Food Pairing
an aperitif on its own.. marinated chicken, oysters, seafood risotto, sushi, guacamole, Swiss cheese, cobb salad
Also Blended With
Semillon (most Bordeaux white is a blend Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, often with Semillon dominating)
Sémillon
Characteristics
Soft, round. Dry to semi-dry. Subtle fruit (fig, lemon, pear), spice (saffron).
Other: cream, toast, vanilla, botrytis (honey, quice, candy)
Classic Regions
France: Bordeaux
Other Premium Regions
California
Australia
Food Pairing
Shellfish, cheesecake
New world: roast chicken, fish & chips, caesar salad
Also Blended With
With Sauvignon Blanc, premium Bordeaux and dessert wines
Viognier
Characteristics
Usually very deep color and low acidity. Fragrant and complex. Floral (orange blossom, accacia, violet), fruit (apricot, mango, kiwi)
Other: cream, vanilla, smoke, tobacco,
Classic Regions
France (Rhône)
Other Premium Regions
France: Languedoc, Vin de Pays d’Oc
California
Australia
Food Pairing
Spicy dishes, spicy oriental stir-frys , coconut curry, grilled fish or chicken with orange sauce or fruit salsa, pumpkin dishes
Also Blended With
Sometimes used To add fragrance and to soften and lighten the Syrah
Also blended to Chardonnays, Chenin Blancs, Colombards
