The world of white wine is a vast one. White wines of course are not white at all, but golden clear with a yellowish tint to them. The seven major varietals of white wine are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Semillon and Moscato. Chardonnay being the number one best selling white wine varietal, I will start by discussing it.
Chardonney is the number one white wine varietal in the United States. The Chardonnay grape is a low-maintenance and easy to grow. It adapts well in a variety of climates resulting in mass quantity. Low demand means low cost.
The Chardonnay grape has an impressive range of flavors. Mostly malolactic fermented, the classic buttered and oak overtones to the fresh fruity flavors of melon, citrus, tropical, apple, and pear all work in sync to impress the palate. Chardonnay will pair well with any poultry dishes, seafood, pork and other cream and buttery based recipes. Chardonnays not made with oak barrels can go well with little garlic based recipes, salads, grilled shrimp, shellfish and other curry dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc originated in France and thrives in New Zealand’s cool regions. This white wine produces a zippy overtone with tropical and berry based flavors. This wine is often seen blended with Semillon, but also comes in many varietal forms.
The flavor is crisp and holds a refreshing acidity. It delivers an herbal sensation with a wide range of veggie flavors such as grass, hay and other mineral tones. Citrus and tropical mixtures are common in Sauvignon Blanc.
This wine pairs well with an assortment of different foods. It pairs well with appetizers, veggie dips, garlic and Italian seasonings in creamy sauces. Flavorful salads such as the Caesar, Greek, or garden salad pair great with this friendly white.
Riesling is one of the wine worlds new “sweethearts.” It originated in Germany’s Rhein and Mosel river valleys. This wine can span across a wide range of styles from dry and sweet, to light and full bodied. Highly aromatic with pear, apple, peach an other floral undertones. It also poses hints of limestone and slate from its native soils in Germany. On the nose, it often has a honey spice aroma.
It is a perfect wine to pair with a versatile foods which hold challenging flavors and spicy foods. It can also be paired well with a range of desserts, appetizers, shellfish, etc.
Pinot Grigio is an Italian name for Pinot Gris. This white wine is closely related to Pinot Noir grape. This is a medium- full bodied wine which is dominated by pear, lemon, apple, and melon. Foods with a higher acidity bring out the best in a Pinot Gris. Dishes with nuts like a pecan topped baked Halibut. The best Pinot Grigio will come from the Alto Adige region.
Gewurztraminer -Grown predominately in France, Germany, and the United States, the Gewurztraminer grape thrives in cooler regions. This wine, like the Riesling can be made in both dry and sweet varieties and tastes best when enjoyed at a young age. Flavors most prevalent include: honey, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apricot, pear, and other floral tones. Foods to pair this wine with include Asian food, BBQ and chicken wings.
Semillon can be made in both a dry and sweet wine. It has a reputation for making some stunning wines. Its oily texture makes a perfect wine to pare with a tart and sweet style of dessert. It can also make well with shellfish and other fish dishes.
Moscato is often sweet and always fruity, with a characteristic grapefruit and musky aromas, this wine is best enjoyed alone or with different types of desserts.
Overall, the world of white wine can be learned over the course of years. But or the everyday server, this general information will boost check averages ten-fold. Wine knowledge is a highly valuable in the world of food and beverage.
Very informative. I prefer a good Sauvignon Blanc.
ReplyDelete