When your bored with Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Chardonnay what can you do? Try these other great whites.
Chardonnay is the undisputed king of white wines. It is the most popular grape varietal in the world. This light to medium bodied wine is produced in styles from the fruity and syrupy, to dry framed in oak. Sometimes though, it's just a little bit boring. What other white wines can you drink when want something different? Here is a look at a few different choices.
Sauvingon Blanc
This medium bodied wine brings with it the aromas and flavors of cut grass, herbs and lemon. It has a higher acidity level than Chardonnay. This acidity makes it great for pairing with seafood.
An alternative style is Fumé Blanc. This style was created in California during the 1960s by Robert Mondavi. It was styled after the Poully Fumé of the Loire region. Some wine experts will say that there is no difference between a Sauvingon Blanc and a Fumé Blanc. This is sometimes true. But, when done correctly the Fumé Blanc has a richer, fuller style. This makes it perfect for pairing with chicken, veal, and pasta dishes.
When beginning your journeys into Sauvingon Blanc try the zesty offering from Canyon Road. It is affordable at about $10. When trying a Fumé Blanc I recommend going to the source. Splurge and buy the Robert Mondavi for about $18. This will give you a great starting point for understanding the differences between Sauvignon and Fumé Blanc.
Pinot Blanc
This is a medium to full bodied wine with a moderate to high acidity level. There is a clean structure, with simple subtle flavors and aromas. Expect to find hints of almonds and apples.
This wine is known as Pinot Bianco in Italy. It is often used with other grapes to produce premium sparkling wines in California. The Alsace region of France produces quality, value priced wines with the Pinot Blanc grape. The uncomplicated nature of this wine means that it can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes.
It was originally cultivated in ancient Burgundy, along side Chardonnay. Some vinification styles resemble Chardonnay. It is best when served with food.
An excellent beginning is a Pinot Bianco from the Alto adige region of Italy. The Alois Lageder is a great buy for about $10 and a rich offering for this varietal. It has received scores in the high 80s from reviewers. The Hugel Pinot Blanc Les Amours is an excellent wine from the Alsace. This Pinot Blanc is a bolder example with concentrated with apple and lemon aromas and lively and crisp grape flavors. It might just be the perfect summer wine. Expect to pay about $11.
We will be exploring other great whites in the next weeks.
Read about More White Wines
