W3 Wine School

Principal White Grapes

GrapeOrigin
Chardonnay Bourgogne France
Sauvignon Blanc Loire France
Riesling Mosel/Rhein Germany
Pinot Grigio North East Italy
Pinot Blanc Bourgogne France

Chardonnay

Chardonnay
Citrus
Citrus
Apple
Apple
Peach
Peach
Pineapple
Pineapple
Vanilla
Vanilla
Butter
Butter
Toast
Toast
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts

Chardonnay is the most popular white wine grape in the world and the name comes from a village in South Burgundy.

Chardonnay is a grape with a limited (not very aromatic) taste. It produces neutral wines that need help to become interesting.

This can be done in several ways. One common way is to ferment or store the wine in oak barrels.

Chardonnay also easily absorbs the taste of the soil (terroir), and this is consciously used to complement Chardonnay's taste profile in Europe.

Quality Chardonnay wines always have a round character, a great length, and a rich after-taste, but Chardonnay shows a multitude of styles all over the world, from totally uninteresting, strong alcoholic wines with artificial fruit aromas, to the world's most sublime, perfect balanced wines.

In cool climates, Chardonnay can have a light body with noticeable acidity and flavors of citrus, green apple, and pear.

In warmer locations the flavors are more yellow apple, peach, melon, and tropical fruit such as pinapple.


Riesling

Riesling
Apple
Apple
Lemon
Lemon
Nectarine
Nectarine
Flowers
Flowers

The Riesling grape is super aromatic.

It displays strong flowers, citrus and tree-fruit notes (green to yellow apples) and high acidity.

Warmer climates can add more peach and orange notes.

Riesling produces dry, semi-dry, sweet, sparkling, and dessert wines.

Dry Riesling is primarily a food wine. Alone, the wines may seem a bit acidic.

Citrus, Apple, and white Fruit flavors are typical for Riesling, with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and Steely Minerals.


Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc
Apple
Apple
Grapefruit
Grapefruit
Peach
Peach
Passion Fruit
Passion
Gooseberry
Gooseberry
Grass
Cut Grass
Bell Pepper
Green Pepper
Asparagus
Asparagus

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular grapes in the world.

Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France are the regions where it originated.

The name Sauvignon Blanc means "Wild White".

The grape is very aromatic and depending on climate and terroir the aromas can change from grassy to tropical.

However, the herbal green character is a common denominator wherever it is grown.


Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio
Lemon
Lemon
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Mineral
Flint

Pinot Grigio originates from Burgundy (Pinot Gris), but its most famous expressions come from Italy and in Alsace (France).

It also grows in Germany and Austria under the name of Grauburgunder.

The Italians prefer their Pinot Grigio fresh and light. Therefore, they harvest the grape earlier than is common in Alsace.

Two distinctive style differences occur: fresh and light Italian Pinot Grigio, and rich and powerfull Pinot Gris.

To retain the fruity and citrusy aromas, Pinot Grigio is fermented in Steel Tanks (not in oak).

Crispy Lemon, Apple, and Pear flavors are typical for Pinot Grigio, with hints of Minerals.


Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc
Lime
Lime
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Almonds
Almonds

Pinot Blanc is produced under different names in various European wine regions.

  • Pinot Blanc - France
  • Pinot Bianco - Italy
  • Weisburgunder - Germany/Austria

The grape is used to produce full bodied wines, light dry wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.

Citrus and Green Fruit flavors are typical for Pinot Blanc, with hints of Nuts, and Minerals.


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