There are many different types of white wine, but by knowing the aroma and taste, you will be able to choose your favorite white wine. Introducing white wine flavors that are useful to know at the supermarket, wine shop, and restaurant.
white wine scent
The aromas of white wine include:
Smell of flower
You can feel the scent of flowers. Young white wines have hints of white flowers such as jasmine , orange blossom, and white roses . White wines that have been aged in bottles for long periods of time, or white wines that have been aged in barrels during the winemaking process, have yellow floral nuances like osmanthus.
Citrus fruit scent
Scents of citrus fruits such as bergamot , citron , lime , lemon , tangerine, and grapefruit .
stone fruit aroma
Aromas include apricot , peach , apple (green apple, golden delicious), and pear . Young white wines have aromas of fresh fruit, while ripe white wines have syrupy notes.
tropical fruit scent
A scent of tropical fruits such as pineapple , banana , lychee , mango , and papaya .
green scent
You can feel the scent of green grass, green seaweed, and green vegetables such as asparagus.
herbal scent
It has a fresh, herbal, pungent aroma, with herbs such as sage , rosemary , bay leaf, basil , fennel , lavender , oregano , mint , parsley , thyme , and marjoram .
Mineral scent
It smells like flint. This is a scent derived from the soil, and wines made from mineral-rich soil will have mineral nuances. It also smells like ink and gunpowder. A kerosene-like scent called petrol incense can also be included in this group.
spice incense
The aroma of spices comes from aging in barrels. Many white wines are not aged in barrels, so they do not often have a spicy aroma. These include vanilla , saffron , white pepper, ginger, and coriander.
smoked incense
It literally has a smoky smell, like it's been smoked.
scent of honey
It has a scent of honey such as acacia and nectar. When it comes to ripe white wine, you can also feel the aroma of chestnut honey.
aromatic scent
The grapes themselves have a scent, and those that have the scent of the grape variety are called aromatic varieties.
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- Chenin Blanc
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- moscato
is an aromatic grape variety. Aromatic grapes have a consistent aroma depending on the grape variety.
white wine types
Once you have a sense of what it smells like, it's time to taste it.
Body: Can be divided into light-bodied, light-drinking, medium-bodied, and full-bodied. Wines with a smooth texture, like cream or oil, can be said to be full-bodied and heavy.
Residual sugar content: Classified according to how much sugar content is perceived, such as dry, slightly dry, slightly sweet, or sweet.
Acidity: Some have a strong sourness, while others have a mild sourness.
Bitterness: Some foods have a bitter aftertaste.
Main flavors of white wine by variety
The aroma and taste of white wine is determined to some extent by the variety. By keeping in mind the main aromas and flavors of each variety, you can drink wine that suits your tastes and occasion.
Chardonnay: A grape variety that originates from Burgundy, France, and is produced all over the world. You can feel the scent of tropical fruits. Chardonnay grown in cool regions produces wines with aromas of lime, lemon, and apple. Those grown in warmer regions have a stronger tropical fruit aroma. French Chablis has a particularly mineral feel. Aged in oak barrels, it has a creamy, smooth taste.
Sauvignon Blanc: A grape variety native to the Bordeaux and Loire regions of France. It is also widely cultivated in New World countries such as New Zealand, Australia, America, and Chile. It has a grass-like fresh feel. You can also feel the minerality, citrus fruit, and smoked aroma. In cooler climates, it has a stronger acidity, while in warmer climates, it has a stronger passion fruit aroma.
Semillon: A grape variety native to Bordeaux. It has aromas of pear and honey, high sugar content, mild acidity, and an oily texture. It is also a raw material for sweet wine.
Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio): It is a mutant grape variety of the black grape Pinot Noir, and the skin is pink to gray in color, so "gris" = "gray". ” is called. It is cultivated in France, Italy, Germany, as well as the United States and New Zealand. It has a rich aroma of apricot, and you can also feel grapefruit and pineapple. The acidity is gentle and the wine has a rich body.
Viognier:A grape variety native to the Rhône region of France. It has a sweet scent like apricot and white peach. You can also feel the flowery nuances like jasmine, the acidity is calm, and the sweet taste is gorgeous. It has an oily texture and is thick.
Chenin Blanc:A grape variety native to the Loire region of France. It is also produced in South Africa. Rich in acid, it produces not only dry wine but also sparkling wine and sweet wine. It is floral, with fruits such as apple and plum, and has a mineral feel, and as it ages, it develops a honey-like scent.
Riesling: Germany's representative grape variety, produced from dry to sweet. It has aromas of honey, with hints of white flowers and pear. It has a sweet aroma, but the taste has a strong acidity. It has a concentrated and elegant taste.
Gewurztraminer: A grape variety that originated in northern Italy and is said to have first been cultivated in the Alsace region of France. Germany is also a famous production area. It has a distinctive lychee scent. There are also aromas of roses and tropical fruits. There are dry and sweet flavors, and the dry flavor has typical aromas of lychee and rose, while the sweet flavor has aromas of white peach, honey, and spices such as coriander.
Moscato: A grape variety native to Greece, Muscat in English. In France it is called Muscat and in Spain it is called Moscatel. It has a sweet aroma of Muscat itself, and aromas of tropical fruits and honey. It is grown all over Italy, and its representative wine is the sweet Asti Spumante. Moscato Bianco is a sweet wine with a distinctive rose-like aroma. Muscat from France's Alsace region produces a dry wine with refreshing acidity and aromas of white flowers, white peach, and pear. On the other hand, sweet wine is produced in the Roussillon region of southern France. In Spain, it is used to make sherry, a fortified wine. This grape variety has a variety of names and a variety of flavors.
Vermentino: A grape variety mainly produced on the French island of Corsica and the Italian island of Sardinia. You can feel white flowers, citrus fruits such as lime and lemon, yellow peach, and herbs. It has a bitter taste and a light texture.
summary
A white wine with a variety of flavors. Being able to find wine with the taste you like will expand your enjoyment of wine. Please try different white wines.
