White Grape Profiles Flashcards
Oaked Chardonnay:
Rich and lush texture with flavors ranging from citrus to tropical fruits accompanied by butter and honey as well as toast and vanilla imparted by the oak.
Body: Full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Age: Most are best drunk young (especially those from hot regions), but better quality wines need up to five years and the finest require up to ten.
Albariño:
Floral and fruity aromas with delicate flavors of apples, apricots, lemons, peaches and grapefruit along with a mineral edge.
Body: Light (some from Spain can be more medium bodied)
Dry/Sweet: Generally dry but those for export can be off-dry.
Acidity: High
Age: Drink while young and fresh.
Aka: Also known as Alvarhinho in Portugal.
Unoaked Chardonnay:
Pure and crisp with subtle flavors ranging from citrus fruits in cooler regions to tropical fruits in warmer regions, along with mineral notes.
Body: Light to medium
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium to high
Age: Most are best drunk young, but better quality wines need a few years and the finest quality require several years to fully develop.
Chenin Blanc (Dry):
Aroma of flowers, straw, honey and pepper with flavors of apples, grapes, lemons and apricots accompanied by mineral, nutty and smoky notes.
Body: Medium to full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: High
Age: Generally require a few years of bottle age, while the best need a decade to fully mature.
Other: Makes an interesting alternative to Sauvignon Blanc (Unoaked)
Chenin Blanc (medium dry):
Floral aromas with apple, citrus and tropical fruit flavors of lemon, honeydew melon, quince and pineapple together with a flinty minerality.
Body: Medium
Dry/Sweet: Medium-dry (sweet to taste).
Acidity: High
Age: Has great aging potential. Most wines require several years of bottle aging to soften their acidity and add richness and complexity.
Fiano:
Aromatic fragrance of wild flowers, honey and spice with subtle flavors of apricot, peach, lemon, herbs and nuts as well as mineral notes.
Body: Medium to full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium to high
Age: Best wines have good aging potential, otherwise drink while young and fresh.
Gewürztraminer:
Intense and complex perfume of rose petals, lavender, lychees and Turkish delight with a musky spiciness.
Body: Full with high alcohol.
Dry/Sweet: Dry, off-dry, medium-dry or sweet (if in doubt ask supplier).
Acidity: Low
Age: Best drunk when young.
Grenache Blanc:
Luscious texture with aromas of apple, stone fruits and white flowers, followed by flavors of green apple, honeydew melon, lemon, white peach, apricot and herbs, together with a delicate spiciness and subtle mineral notes. Can be creamy if aged on lees and may display oak flavors.
Body: Full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Generally medium
Age: Best enjoyed young due to its tendency to oxidise.
Aka: Also known as Garnacha Blanca in Spain and as Garnatxa Blanca within Spain’s Cataluña region. Sometimes referred to as White Grenache.
Other: Tends to be high in alcohol.
Marsanne:
Rich texture with aromas of hedgerow flowers and flavors of melon, peach and apricot. Oak adds additional honey and spice flavors as the wine matures.
Body: Full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Low - medium
Age: Drink within a few years of release.
Marsanne/Roussanne blend:
Floral aromas and a complex structure with delicate flavors of peach, pear, nuts and spice along with mineral notes.
Body: Full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Age: May be drunk within the first few years but the best wines need about ten years to fully develop and those from Hermitage may need up to 20 years.
Pinot Grigio:
Mild floral aromas combine with subtle fruit flavors of apple, lemon and pear as well as a touch of spice. Crisp and fresh, but uncomplicated. Body: Light to medium Dry/Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink while young and fresh.
Pinot Gris:
Aroma of flowers (honeysuckle) and dried fruits with tropical fruit flavors of banana, mango, melon and peach along with hints of honey and spice.
Body: Full with a rich texture.
Dry/Sweet: Dry to medium-dry
Acidity: Low
Age: Drink while young
Aka: Also know as Grauburgunder in Germany and often labeled as Ruländer when made as a sweet wine in the same country.
Other: An interesting alternative to Chardonnay.
Riesling (Dry):
Crisp and dry with a wide range of green and citrus fruits as well as mineral and earthy flavors which reflect where it is grown. Age adds complexity.
Body: Light
Dry/Sweet: Dry (see note below if this is not stated on the bottle)
Acidity: High
Age: Needs a few years of bottle age.
Sauvignon Blanc (Oaked):
Soft, but still crisp, green fruit flavors of classic Sauvignon Blanc (Unoaked) with the addition of toast, vanilla and the spiciness of oak.
Body: Full
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium to high
Age: Most can be drunk young but the best wines age well.
Sauvignon Blanc (Unoaked):
Crisp and fresh displaying wonderful aromas of cut-grass and nettles with green fruit flavors of gooseberry, green apples, limes, asparagus and green pepper, together with a mineral or flinty edge. Body: Light to medium Dry/Sweet: Very dry Acidity: High Age: Drink while young and fresh.
