[Wine] Enchanting with its enchanting aroma ~ Aromatic varieties ~

Have you ever heard the term "aromatic varieties"?

Aromatic varieties refer to white grape varieties with a bright and strong aroma. Aromatic white wines are characterized by their captivating aromas, such as floral aromas reminiscent of white flowers and sweet fruit aromas. In addition, aromatic wines pair very well with sweet and sour-flavored dishes, and have the effect of softening the pungent taste of spicy sauces. there is. Therefore, it is easy to pair with ethnic dishes, so it can be enjoyed not only on its own, but also as a drink with meals. The fragrant and floral aroma is sure to appeal to women, making it a perfect wine for a girls' night out. This time we will introduce you to the world of such fascinating and gorgeous aromatic varieties.

The identity of white flower aroma: monoterpene

The white flower aroma, which is the most distinctive feature of aromatic varieties, comes from fragrant substances called monoterpenes. To date, more than a dozen types of monoterpenes have been discovered in wine. This aromatic substance is mainly contained in the skin of grapes, and its amount increases as the grapes ripen. However, the perceived aroma of monoterpenes changes depending on factors such as the acidity of the wine, so even if the wine contains the same amount of monoterpenes, the strength of the aroma will vary depending on the wine.

Representative aromatic varieties

Gewurztraminer

This is a white grape variety with a particularly strong aroma impact among aromatic varieties. The strong aroma of lychee and rose is impressive, and the fruit has a very strong sense of volume, so even dry style wines can feel the sweetness of the fruit. It's a feature. The acidity is mild, but the alcohol content is high, with some having an alcohol content of over 14%. It is said to be a variety that is easy to guess even in blind tastings (tasting wine without looking at the wine brand or variety), as it is a variety that easily shows its individuality in the taste. It is widely cultivated in the Alsace region of France, where a wide variety of wines are produced, from gorgeous yet clean and dry styles to extremely sweet wines made from late-harvested grapes and noble rot grapes.

Recommended wines from Gewurztraminer

Konosul/Reserva Series/Gewurztraminer Reserva 750ml/White Wine

Conosul is a Chilean winemaker that is well-known in Japan as a winery that produces high-quality wine at low prices. Relatively many wines made from Gewurztraminer are in the mid-price range or higher, but Konosul's Gewurztraminer is a low-priced, authentic wine in the low 1,000 yen range. It is a wine with excellent cost performance that allows you to enjoy the taste of Gewurztraminer. This is a highly recommended bottle that allows you to fully enjoy the lychee and rose scent, which is the most distinctive feature of Gewurztraminer, at a low price.

Muscat Blanc (Muscat)

Muscat Blanc is a white grape variety characterized by strong aromas of rose, orange blossom, and white peach. In France, it is called ``Muscat''. Many wines are produced in this style, with low acidity, strong fruit flavors, and sweetness. Due to its low acidity, it is not suitable for long-term aging, so it is recommended to drink the wine while it is young and fresh. Famous wines made from Muscat Blanc include Asti Spumante, a low-alcohol sparkling wine produced in the Piedmont region of Italy, and Moscato d'Asti, a slightly sparkling sweet wine. This is a wine with an approachable taste that is easy to recommend for wine beginners and those who don't like alcohol.

Recommended wines of Muscat Blanc (Muscat)

Santero/Tenshi no Asti [NV] 750ml/white foam wine sweet

A sweet sparkling wine made from 100% Moscato Bianco in the Asti region of Piedmont, Italy. "Muscat Blanc" is called "Moscato Bianco" in Italy. The producer Santero exports wine all over the world, and it is very popular in Japan, and has been the best-selling wine in Japan for five years in a row. We have a track record of being selected as one of Italy's sparkling wine producers.

The gorgeous and rich aroma of Muscat matches the sweet and sour refreshing acidity, making it a pleasant drink. Cute angel labels are especially popular among women. This is a bottle that I would recommend even to wine beginners who don't usually drink wine.

Viognier

It has rich aromas of apricot, peach, and white flowers, with a strong fruit flavor and high alcohol content. Viognier also has a mild acidity and is generally not suitable for long-term aging, so it is recommended to drink the wine while it is still young and has a bright aroma. Viognier made in the northern Rhone region of France, especially Condrieu, is famous, and a sweet type made from dried grapes is also produced in small quantities. It is also widely cultivated in Australia and California.

Recommended wines for Viognier

Golan Heights Winery/Yalden Viognier [2019] 750ml White Wine

Golan Heights Winery is one of Israel's leading wineries and has a high reputation internationally. “Yalden” is the flagship brand representing Golan Heights Winery, and is known as one of the most popular Israeli wines in Japan. Masu. Yarden Viognier, made from 100% Viognier, is a white wine that allows you to enjoy the complexity of aromatic aromas such as white orange blossom, peach and apricot. It is characterized by an elegant taste with a pleasant balance of aromatic impression and crisp acidity. It is also recommended to drink it with mild flavored curry.

Riesling

Compared to Gewürztraminer and Muscat, the monoterpene content is less than 1/10th, so it is less aromatic, but it has gorgeous aromas and rich aromas such as green apple, pear, nectarine, and jasmine. A grape variety with a fruity taste. Due to its strong acidity, it is suitable for long-term aging. Dry to sweet style Rieslings made in Germany, one of the best Riesling producing regions in the world, and dry Rieslings made in France's Alsace region are particularly popular. Sweet Riesling goes well with spicy Indian and Thai dishes that use a lot of spices.

Recommended Riesling wines

Trinbach/ Riesling [2021] 750ml

Trimbac is a winery that is popular worldwide as one of the leading producers in the Alsace region of France. Based on our policy of ``wines that can be enjoyed with meals,'' we produce dry-style Rieslings that are easy to pair with meals, and are also used in many Michelin three-star restaurants. This is a talented winery that has been adopted. In addition, the dry Riesling produced by Trinbach is a food-friendly white wine that goes well with Japanese food. A fresh and aromatic Riesling with a refreshing citrus aroma and aromas of fragrant fruits such as pear and apricot. It has an elegant taste with beautiful acidity and minerality, making it a bottle that can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes.

Other highly popular aromatic varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontes, and Albariño. Why not be intoxicated by the scent of wine made from aromatic varieties that have a gorgeous and attractive impression?