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They say variety is the
spice of life, and it's definitely a
great thing when it comes to wine varieties as
well. Drinking the same Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Blanc and Pinot Grigio day in day out gets to
be pretty dull. While these three white wine
types are far and away the most prevalent
you'll find, why not broaden your horizons to
include some of the less 'common'
varieties?
Here's our five picks for uncommon white wines
you'll want to get to know:
#1
- Albariño
This white wine grape is also
called "Alvarinho" when grown in Portugal,
where it is frequently used in the stylish,
fresh Vinho Verde wine (see below). One of
this variety's main charms is its
ebullient aroma, reminiscent of peach and
apricot, as well as its delicacy. Light,
crisp and fresh - this is a wine you'll
want in your fridge well before Summer
arrives.
Our Albariño Pick:
2008 Burgans Albariño, Rias Baixas
($14)
#2
- Vinho Verde
This Portugese white
wine can be made from Albariño although a
number of other grape varieties can be used,
such as Trajadura, Azal, and Arinto. The name
literally translates to 'green wine' which
reflects the wine's fresh, almost underripe
style. This wine has a bracing freshness and
light body that make it an excellent food wine,
as well as just plain
refreshing.
Our Vinho
Verde Pick:
NV Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde
($7)
#3 - Chenin
Blanc
From the picturesque Loire Valley
region of France, Chenin Blanc is typically
bottled as 'Vouvray', the region where it is
grown. In South Africa it can also
be called 'Steen'. High in acidity, this
grape is used in a variety of styles, from
sparkling to still wines, as well as
off-dry and dessert versions. More clean than
fruity, this restrained wine has
a distinctive mineral aroma.
Our Chenin Blanc
Pick:
2008 Ken Forrester "Petit" Chenin Blanc
($9)
#4 -
Torrontes
Although the grape originated
somewhere in the Mediterranean, today it is
considered the classic white wine grape of
Argentina and is grown very little elsewhere.
The aroma is bright and fresh with
characteristic peach and orange zest
notes, followed by a light,
crisp character on the palate. Make this
your 'hot tub' / 'porch' / 'pool'
wine!
Our Torrontes
Pick:
2009 Crios de Susana Balbo
Torrontes ($15)
#5 -
Cassis
This French appellation sits on
the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and
Bandol. Permitted grape varieties include
Clairette, Marsanne (also a major white grape
in the Rhône), Ugni Blanc and the more
conventional Sauvignon Blanc. Fuller bodied
without the butteriness of many Chardonnays,
this wine comes to life with seafood.
Our Cassis
Pick:
2007 Marquis de Fesques Cassis, Domaine du
Bagnol ($24)
Next Article:
About Chilean Wines
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