With all the bottles of wine on the market, it’s no wonder people often have no idea what they like and what they don’t like. On many an occasion in the past, I have found myself loving a bottle of wine only to have no idea what sort of white wine, it was. With so many grapes being used in wine, it is easy to confuse. Hopefully this will help put some confusion at bay when it comes to knowing the difference between various white grape varieties.
Sémillon
Definitely a medium to full-bodied grape, Sémillon is a native to the Bordeaux region in France, even though today the region that holds the title for having the most success with this grape is none other than the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales in Australia. While it can be often be said (and rightly so) that wines that are dominated by Sémillon lack youthful aroma, they always tend to have a fairly full body and be low in acidity. It is for this reason that Sémillon makes a wonderful “second” grape in blending of wines, producing some wonderful flavors. Sémillon even works well when blended with the well-known loner, Chardonnay, giving richness and weight without sacrificing the aromatic delicacy. That is not to say that a Sémillon alone won’t make for good wine. Sémillon on general are a variety that is best drunk after a few years.
Chen in Blanc
Origins in the Loire Valley of France, Chen in Blanc grapes have a natural high acidity as well as an uncanny ability to get along with the botrytized mold that likes to suck the water out of grapes. It is because of both of these features that Chen in Blanc grapes are so versatile and used in all sorts of wines ranging from fizzy, sweet and dry. Flavors are similar to that of an Avignon Blanc; herbs, green apples and gooseberry. A little known fact to some people who believe that white wines must be consumed within the first couple years of the vintage would be surprised to know that Chen in Blanc tastes best around ten to fifteen years.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc tends to be one of those grapes that you either love or hate. A crisp and mineral tasting wine that has its origins in France; the aromas of this grape have conjured a variety of adjectives. Such descriptions range from passion fruit, mint and basil to asparagus and even freshly cut grass. Being that these wines are crisp and very refreshing and somewhat uncomplicated, its ability to be paired with foods is incredible. Foods ranging from shellfish to goat’s cheese are all great matches with Sauvignon Blanc.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay comes in all different sizes and shapes and is grown all over the world. While some complain that this variety of grape is rather boring, there is a reason it is the most widely consumed grape variety in the world. Because this grape very readily will sink its roots in almost any soil, the flavors and aromas vary greatly. In the Southern Hemisphere, the aromas range from peaches and pears to mango, pineapple or even banana. Northern Hemisphere grapes, however, are much different, ranging from delicate citrus to full flavored citrus, sweet spices and nuts.
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