This might surprise you, but there are plenty of white wine styles out there! They all have varying flavour profiles that pair fantastically with certain foods—even red meat such as beef and lamb.
Having a basic knowledge of wine is a good skill to have. It’ll also arm you with the confidence to tell a sommelier what exactly you enjoy. This allows him or her to zero in on a label that best suits you. Besides, ladies dig a man who’s decisive and know what they like.
To help you become more confident around wine in future, here is our basic guide on 6 popular white wine varieties that will give you a good idea of what you’re drinking and how to drink it.
Chardonnay
Perhaps one of the world’s most popular white wine variety, Chardonnay is grown in France, USA, Australia, Italy, South Africa, Moldavia, Chile and Argentina.
The wine is often wider bodied, boasting rich citrusy flavours. Certain varieties undergo an additional fermentation in oak barrels which imbue it with a buttery, toffee-like tone.
Food Pairing: Whitefish, oily fish (salmon, trout, eel), chicken.
Pronunciation: Shard-nay
Pinot Grigio
A dry and crisp wine that has a broad flavour profile spanning apple, pear and peach to melon, banana and tropical fruit, Pinot Grigio are your safest bet because it pairs well with many types of food.
The nuance of tropical fruit and its crisp finish makes it especially good for oriental cuisines such as Thai or Chinese cuisine, even working well with spicy foods.
Food Pairing: Versatile.
Pronunciation: Pino-gree-gio
Riesling
A German-style of white wine, the profile of Riesling varies between dry and sweet—depending on where the grapes are from. Rieslings from popular regions are generally made slightly sweet with a strong body and a steely acidity for balance however there are some, such as those that come from Alsace, that is dryer with a stronger acidic quality.
Rieslings display a bright, fruitiness and sharp acidity that cuts through the fat of certain meats such as pork, chicken and fish such as tuna and eel.
Food Pairings: Fish, chicken, pork, foie gras.
Pronunciation: Reese-ling
Sauvignon Blanc
It’s hard to go wrong with a sauvignon blanc because of its sheer versatility with different types of food and overall drinkability. This wine is a blend of the golden-skinned sémillion and grapes native to the Bordeaux region of France.
Sauvignon Blancs typically taste better when grown in cool temperate climates resulting in delicate nuances of sour fruit along with a crisp finish.
Food Pairings: Seafood, poultry, vegetables, cured meats.
Pronunciation: Saw-vi-nyon blanc
Moscato
Derived from grapes belonging to the Muscat family, this varietal is sweeter, fruitier and considerably more approachable. A favourite among ladies and novice wine drinkers, Moscato is known to be sweet, refreshing and light without the bite of bitter tannins.
Food Pairings: Desserts, fresh summer fruit.
Pronunciation: Mos-kah-to
Read Uncover Asia’s guide to red wine.
No Comments