We discussed some wine vocabulary, and we gave out some information on red wines. But this unit would not be complete without a discussion of the white wines. Like red wines, white wines are made from grape juice and/or pulp of grapes which may have white or black skin. White wines may be treated to maintain the straw-yellow, yellow-green, or yellow-gold color characteristic of this type of wine. In contrast to the heavy reds, white wines are lighter in style and taste and are typically consumed with lighter meals and with white meats (poultry, pork, seafood). Some common types of white wines are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc. We’ll discuss each in detail.
an example of a Chardonnay
Chardonnay: Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety that originated in France, but now can be found wherever wine is produced. Chardonnay are the #1 selling white wine in America. Chardonnay is also an important component of many sparkling wines (i.e. champagne). The Chardonnay grape is very neutral and typically takes on the impression given to it by the winemaker. Below are some common examples of Chardonnays.
– fruity styles – apple, pear, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors
– buttery/woody styles – butter or butterscotch flavors with wood/vanilla notes
Chardonnays pairs well with a diverse spectrum of food, depending on its characteristics. Chardonnays are most commonly paired with with seafood, chicken, pork, sauces with heavy cream or butter base, and earthy dishes like mushroom soup and aged cheese.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio/Gris: This grape is a white wine variety grape thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot noir grape (comic book geeks, I did just use mutant and clone in a sentence — light your cigarettes). The grape has a grayish-blue fruit (gris is the French word for gray). Pinot gris is known in Italy as Pinot grigio, and it is the most popular white wine in Italy. The wine from these grapes are characterized as fairly simple, light-bodied, dry, with very smooth silk-like overtones and crisp acidity. These wines vary in color from yellow to copper. There are some Pinot gris that have a mix of tropical fruit, citrus, and juicy fruit gum flavors. These wines are most commonly paired with seafood and light pastas.
A Reisling
Riesling: Reisling is a white wine grape variety that originated in Germany. Reisling is the wine world’s new sweetheart. Reisling wines are “terrior-expressive” which means the wine takes on characters based on the region which it originated. Reislings can be characterized as light to full-bodied. They are very aromatic and acidic, and can produce wines that vary in degree of sweetness. Common Reislings have characteristics of apple, peach, and pear mixed with delicate floral undertones and honey and spice. Reislings are compatible with a wide range of foods — appetizers (hard cheeses, dried fruit), pork, poultry, shellfish, and as a dessert wine.
Chenin blanc grapes
Chenin Blanc: This grape is a white wine grape variety from the Loire valley of France. Chenin blanc grapes have a high acidity, which make them ideal for making everything from sparkling wines to dessert wines. Taste can range from dry to very sweet depending on time of harvest. Common characteristics of these wines are apple, melon, lime and pear with hints of vanilla and honey. Chenin blanc can be very versatile when it comes to food pairings, so the wide range in wine styles needs to be considered. Lighter, dry styles are ideally paired with sushi, seafood, and white meats, while sweeter variants go well with the spicy heat of some Asian and Hispanic cuisines.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originated from the Bordeaux region of France. These wines are often described as light to medium-bodied, crisp, tart, acidic, and dry. Depending on the climate, the flavor of these wines can vary from grassy to sweetly tropical (notes of tropical and citrus fruits such as banana, passion fruit, grapefruit, pineapple, and mango). It is not uncommon for this wine to be bottled with a screw cap, as it is usually consumed young and does not traditionally benefit from aging. This wine pairs well with cheese, seafood, chicken, and sushi.
grubgraders 