White Wines Flashcards
Cool Climate Chardonnay
- high acidity
- green fruit (apple, pear)
- citrus fruit (lemon)
- vegetal (cucumber)
Moderate Climate Chardonnay
- citrus fruit
- stone fruit (peach)
- tropical fruit (melon)
Hot Climate Chardonnay
- tropical fruit (banana, pineapple, peach, mango, fig)
Key Facts for Chardonnay
- can grown in a range of soils and climates
- produces a wide range of styles
- characteristics and acidity varies with climate
- winemaking techniques influence characteristics
- bland grape variety
Chardonnay Regions
Burgundy (Bourgogne, Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé), Pays d’Oc IPG
California (Sonoma Country, Carneros)
Chile (Casablanca Valley, Central Valley)
Argentina (Mendoza)
South Africa (Walker Bay)
South Eastern Australia (Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, Margaret River)
New Zealand (Marlborough)
Key Facts for Sauvignon Blanc
- cool or moderate climates
- high in acidity
- aromatic grape variety
- generally best drunk young
- most have no oak
Effect of Sauvignon Blanc Ripeness on Style and Flavour
From least to most ripe
- herbaceous (grass)
- vegetable (green pepper, asparagus)
- floral (elderflower)
- citrus fruit (lemon, lime)
- green fruit (gooseberry)
- stone fruit (peach)
- tropical fruit (passion fruit)
Sauvignon Blanc Regions
Loire Valley (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Val de Loire IPG) Bordeaux (Bordeaux Blanc), Pays d'Oc IGP
USA: California (Nappa Valley)
New Zealand: Marlborough
South Africa: Elgin, Constantia
Chile: Casablanca Valley, Central Valley
Key Facts of Reisling
- cool or moderate climate
- aromatic grape variety
- high acidity
- made in a range of styles
- can age well
Cool Climate Reisling
- floral
- green fruit (green apple, grape)
- citrus fruit (lemon, lime)
Moderate Climate Reisling
- citrus fruit
- stone fruit (white peach, apricot)
- tropical fruit (pineapple, mango)
Maturity in Reisling
- petrol-like aromas
- toast
- honey
- smoke
Riesling Regions
Germany: Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz
France: Alsace
Austria
Australia: South Eastern Australia (Clare Valley, Eden Valley)
Pinot Gris
Alsace, France
- full-bodied
- dry, off-dry, medium and sweet wines
- tropical fruit (banana, melon), sweet spice (ginger), honey
- New Zealand: variety of styles (dry to sweet)
Pinot Grigio
Italy
- dry
- medium to high acidity
- medium to light-bodied
- neutral character (green and citrus fruit)
- refreshing and zesty
Verdicchio
Italian
- dry, high acidity, medium-bodied
- citrus (lemon), herbal (fennel), bitter almond
- very nice with pasta
Trebbiano
Italian
- dry, high acidity, light-bodied
- neutral, inexpensive wines
- made throughout Italy
- not a varietal, used in blends to increase acidity
Gavi DOCG
Italian Grape: Cortese Region: Piemonte - dry, light-bodied, high acidity - green fruit (green apple), citrus
Soave and Soave Classico DOC
Italian Grape: Garganega Region: Veneto - medium-bodied, high acidity - floral (chamomile), green fruit (pear, red apple), spice (white pepper) - unoaked
Chenin Blanc
- cool to hot climate
- range of styles
- medium to high acidity
- susceptible to noble rot
- acid lasts longer in the grape on the vine
- can be picked early or late.
Vouvray AC
Loire Valley, France
- cool climate
- medium sweet, high acidity, medium-bodied, unoaked
- citrus (lemon), green fruit (apple), tropical (pineapple), herbaceous (leaf)
- unoaked
South Africa Whites
- large-volume inexpensive wines
- dry/off-dry, medium it high acidity
- medium-bodied
- citrus, tropical fruit
- oak
- blended with Chardonnay
Melon Blanc
Muscadet AC (Loire Valley, France)
- dry, high acidity, light to medium-bodied, unoaked
- neutral fruit
- sir lie (dead yeast cells) - body, complexity, texture
- only single variety
- max alcohol 12%
- close to sparkling water, tastes like nothing - mineral, stoney, citrus
Viognier
- best examples in Northern Rhône
- hot climate
- soft, full-bodied, aromatic wines
- low acidity, high alcohol
- delicate fruit and floral flavours (peach, pear, apricot, violet), spicy notes
- textural, syrupy, rich, dense, high alcohol
- also found in Southern France, Chile, Argentina, Australia and California
Albariño
Rias Baixas (Spain)
- dry, light to medium bodied, refreshingly high acidity
- green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruit (grapefruit), floral
- unoaked
- waxy, rich texture
- also found in Portugal
Sémillon
Bordeaux (France)
- blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make dry sweet wines (Sauternes)
- adds lightness and finess
- high acid
Gewürztraminer
Alsace (France)
- low acidity, high alcohol, full-bodied
- intensely perfumed and aromatic
- variety of styles (dry, off-dry and medium)
- floral (Rose, orange blossom), stone fruit (peach), tropical fruit (lychee), green fruit (grape), sweet spice (ginger)
- best consumed young and fresh
- maturity (honey, nut)
- New Zealand also produces premium Gewürztraminer
Torrontés
Cafayate (Salta, Argentina)
- aromatic variety
- dry, medium acidity, medium-bodied, high-alcohol
- pronounced floral flavours (perfume), green fruit (grapes), stone fruit (peach)
Semillon
Hunter Valley (Australia)
- single varietal
- dry, light-bodied, low alcohol, high acidity
- youth: neutral with delicate citrus flavours
- maturity (toast, nuts, honey)
- iconic style, ages well, picked early
