White grape varieties Flashcards
Sauvignon blanc
Fumè Blanc (California)
Aromatic grape variety
Pale colour.
High acidity, medium alcohol, medium body
Citrus and Tropical fruit, herbal.
Cool: lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, elderflower, grass, asparagus, chalky, wet stone
Moderate: lemon, passion fruit, dill, grass, apple blossom, wet stones
Early ripening
Origin:
Bordeaux and the Loire valley
Other top producing areas:
New Zealand and California
Growing Conditions:
Cool climate
Aging regime:
Either stainless steel or oak (very few)
Chardonnay
Morillon (Austria)
Non-aromatic grape variety
Gold colour
Medium to high acidity, high alcohol, medium to full body.
Citrus and green fruit, creamy
Cold: Lemon, apple, pear, mineral
Moderate: lemon, peach, melon
Hot: banana, pineapple, mango
From the Oak: vanilla, toast, coconut
MLF: butter, cream
Bottle age: Honey, almond, acorn
Early budding, grows in a range of climates
Origin:
Burgundy
Growing condition:
Any, best in cool climate
Aging regime:
Produces wine with potential ageing
From good to outstanding wines
Riesling
Aromatic grape variety
Lemon colour.
High acidity, medium alcohol, medium to full body.
Floral, citrus and stone fruit
Primary
Cool: Blossom, white apple, lemon peel, nectarine,
Moderate: Chamomile, white apple, apricot, peach, mango, pineapple
Secondary:
lees: bread, biscuit
Tertiary
Bottle age: dried fruit, petrol, honey, nutty, ginger
Late budding, tolerant of cold
Origin
Europe: Germany, Alsace, France, Austria
Outside of Europe:
California (cooler parts), Washington State, New York State, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
Growing Conditions:
Does best in cool to cold climates
Aging Regime:
Stainless Steel
Varietal Characteristics: Changes characteristics based on where it is grown but mainly Petrol
Pinot gris / Pinot Grigio
Rülander (Germany, Austria)
Pale to golden colour
Medium acidity, low alcohol, light body.
Citrus, green fruit
Pinot Grigio:
Lime, lemon, green apple, pear, jasmine
Pinot Gris:
Ritcher,
Medium acidity, high alcohol, full body.
Melon, ginger
Bottle age: honey, almonds
Early budding, early ripening, skins can have a deep
colour which can give golden colour to wines
Origin:
Burgundy
Top Producing area:
Italy, Alsace, Germany, Oregon, California
Growing conditions: Cool climate
Aging regime:
Pinot grigio usually in stainless steel
Pinot gris usually in oak barrels
Chenin blanc
Steen (South Africa)
Non aromatic grape variety.
Lemon to gold colour.
High acidity, medium to high alcohol and medium to full body.
Primary
Blossom, chamomile, honeysuckle, apple, pear, peach, apricot, melon, wet stones
Secondary
Lees: brioche, bread dough.
Tertiary:
Dried fruit
Uneven ripening grape variety. Unripe grape can lead to herbaceous aroma.
Origin:
Loire Valley
Top producing area:
Vouvray and Savennières
South Africa
Aging regime:
aged in oak, can age well.
Dry to sweet wines, depending on vintage variation
Viognier
Aromatic
Low acidity, high alcohol, full body.
Peach, apricot and honey, violet, jasmine, blossom.
Aromas develop late in season when grapes have high
levels of sugar
Origin:
Rhone valley (Condrieu)
Note: must be picked ripe and late to achieve its full flavour ripeness
Off dry style can be made
Grüner Veltliner
Aromatic
High acidity, medium to full body.
Blossom, lemon, grapefruit, apple, pear, nectarine, melon, white pepper, wet sones
Secondary
Lees: Brioche, bread dough
Albariño
Alvarinho (Portugal)
Pale colour.
High acidity and alcohol, medium to full body.
Stone fruit, floral
Lime/lemon, green melon, nectarine/peach, saline, jasmine
Thick skin
Origin:
Northwestern Spain (Rias baixas)
Torrontès
Aromatic
Pale colour.
Medium acidity and alcohol, medium body.
Peach, melon, blossom
Origin:
Argentina
Verdejo
Pale colour.
Medium - high acidity and alcohol, medium body.
Citrus, stone fruit, herbal
Lime, grapefruit, green melon, peach, fennel
Susceptible to oxidation
Muscadet or Melon blanc
Early ripening.
Pale colour.
High acidity, low to medium alcohol, medium body.
Green fruit, citrus fruit, vegetable and herbal.
Lemon, Green apple, pear, lemon, jasmine, elderflower, fennel
Semillon
Gold colour.
Citrus, stone fruit, floral
Medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium body
Cool: lemon, apple, peach, chamomile,
Warm: lemon curd, apple, peach, chamomile
Bottle age: petrol, honey wax
Gewurztraminer
Lemon to gold colour.
Stone and tropical fruit. Floral, baking spice.
Low acidity, high alcohol, full body.
Blossom, honeysuckle, rose, apple, pear, lemon, peach, apricot, banana, melon, lychee, pineapple, white pepper, raisin
Tertiary:
Dried fruit, honey, cinnamon, ginger
Dry to sweet wines
Origin:
Northern Italy
Top producing area:
Germany, Alsace
The name refers to “spicy” grape German
