More white wines
Adding to the last article’s top five white wines, we add five more fabulous white wines that will titillate your palate.
Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer is a white, aromatic grape variety that is named for a German-speaking province of Italy. However, the traditional home of Gewurztraminer is Alsace, the French wine region located along the German border.
In addition to Alsace, Gewurztraminer can be found across Europe in Germany, Austria, Italy and Eastern Europe.
Gewurztraminer wines are known for having aromas of lychee, roses, passion fruit and flowers.
Viognier
Viognier is a white grape variety that is most commonly grown in France, California and Australia.
The traditional home of Viognier is the Rhone wine region of France. Over the past two decades, however, California’s Central Coast has emerged as an important new producer of Viognier wines.
Viognier is intensely aromatic, and when perfectly ripened, smells of apricots, peaches, and citrus rind.
White wines made from the Viognier grape tend to be full-bodied, with a lush, soft character.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a white grape variety most closely associated with the Loire Valley of France. In the 21st century, however, South Africa has surpassed the Loire Valley as the world’s top producer of Chenin Blanc wines.
King of grapes in South Africa, Chenin Blanc is versatile and can produce dry, off-dry, sparkling and sweet dessert wines.
Within France’s Loire Valley, the best examples of Chenin Blanc come from Anjou, where it produces dry white wines with notes of apple and quince, and Vouvray, where it produces off-dry white wines with floral notes and honey-like flavours.
Torrontes
Torrontes is a white grape variety that is grown almost exclusively in Argentina, where it is used to create fresh, aromatic wines with moderate to high acidity and a very smooth texture.
Aromas from the best Torrontes wines include peach and apricot.
In terms of drinkability, Torrontes wines are most similar to those made from Muscat grapes.
Pinot Blanc
Similar to Chardonnay, but lighter and more elegant, Pinot Blanc has never acquired the reputation of its big brother Pinot Grigio.
The traditional home of Pinot Blanc is the northeast of France, in the Alsace wine-growing region. In addition, Pinot Blanc is grown in France’s famed Burgundy wine region.
Outside of France, Pinot Blanc is also popular in the Baden and Palatinate wine regions of Germany (where it is known as Weissburgunder), in Austria (where it is known as Klevner), and in Spain and Italy (where it is known as Pinot Bianco).
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