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White Wine and its great combination with food
Every wine lover knows about the elegant fragrance and color of White Wine. We all know most wines are made out of grape juice that is being fermented. After fermentation, the resulting wine is clear in color. This clear wine is called white wine. White wines are made from the grape juice and grape skin of green, gold or yellowish colored grapes or from just the juice (not the skin) of select red grapes (as in some Champagnes). There are many varieties of white wine available in the market. White wine is especially known for it's use in so many food recipes that provides a fabulous aroma and taste to the food.
Types of White Wine:
Chardonnay: In America, Chardonnay is the most well loved and fastest selling white wine. White wines are produced all over the world but the most famous are probably those made from the Chardonnay grape in France. Chardonnay grape is low maintenance and can grow in almost any climate, thus resulting in a big harvests worldwide.
Chennin Blanc: Made from a versatile grape from France's Loire Valley, also grown with much success in South Africa and California. This white wine can range from dry to very sweet depending on the time of harvest. It provides different flavors, from apple, melon, lime and pear with hints of vanilla and honey.
Gewurztraminer: A white grape grown predominantly in France, Germany, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Gewurztraminer can be made in dry or sweet varieties and are generally best if enjoyed sooner rather than later post-bottling. It is available in varieties of flavor that includes, honey, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apricot, pear, and rose. "Gewurz," meaning "spicy" in German is an suitable indication of the wine's character and zest.
Pinot Blanc: It is a medium dry to dry white wine produced from Alsace, France. Pinot Blanc is a lighter flavored white wine with citrus, melon, pear, apricot and perhaps smokey or mineral undertones combined with characteristic high acidity.
Pinot Grigio: This is Italy's most popular white wine produced from the Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris grape variety. This wine has the flavor of melon and pear. That is a subtle fruity taste and often has an undertone of honey. Pinot Grigio is typically a pale, straw-like yellow coloured wine with some golden shades. It has very smooth, almost silk-like overtonse that leave an impression on the palate.
Riesling: Riesling wines originated in Germany's Rhein and Mosel river valleys. A Riesling can span a broad range of styles, being produced in both dry and sweet variations. True Riesling wines have two dominant names, Johannisberg Riesling and White Riesling both of which refer to the authentic Riesling made from the Riesling grape. Rieslings tend to pick up flavoring from the mineral content in the soils they are grown in. Aromas lean towards the fruity-side with apple, peach and pear standing at the forefront mixed with delicate floral undertones.
Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Loire Valley of France. However, New Zealand has taken this grape to new heights in the cool Marlborough region, producing fantastic wines. This wine is widely available as a single type or as a blend with Semillon. Sauvignon Blanc is usually a dry white wine with distinctive herbaceous qualities. Sauvignon Blanc offers a fairly wide range of flavors. From herbal taste sensations to veggie, and from flavors of grass, hay and mineral tones to a citrus and tropical flavor mix. Sauvignon Blanc is a light to medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing white wine with notable acidity.
For more information on sweet wine, check out my other post, one is about the process of wine making, and the other talks about sweet wines, yummy!
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Pairing of white wine with food:
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Gewurztraminer: It is a good wine to pair with Asian dishes, barbecue or chicken wings. It's intense, exotic aromas and flavours seem ideally suited to spicy cuisines from China to Thailand to India, and it stands up equally well to the fruitiest salsas and smokiest grilled and barbecued flavors of contemporary North American cuisine.
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Pinot Blanc: Its light flavor with citrus undertones combined with high acidity makes it perfect for seafood, light-flavored meats and mild flavored cheeses.
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Pinot Grigio: This is very adaptable with the structure to stand up to Asian, Oriental and Latin flavors. A perfect anytime choice. Its smooth taste makes it a perfect drink to pair with pastas and cheese crackers. It should not pair with food with high acid content, such as citrus fruits or tomatoes, because the wine is already acidic.
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Riesling: Riesling maintains an attractive balance of fruit and acidity, making it an exciting match with dishes incorporating sweet and tart elements. The most fruit-driven examples take well to barbecued or smoked foods and a wide variety of fruity and subtle spicy flavors. Appetizers to desserts, pork, poultry or fish. Rieslings are also able to handle the spice and zest of favored Asian foods.
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Chardonnay: Chardonnay's rich elegance finds its match in foods that are equally stylish. Chardonnay goes well with poultry dishes, pork, sea food or dishes with heavy cream. It goes well especially with strongly herbed dishes, while more restrained versions shine in the company of luxurious cream and butter sauces and mellow, earthy flavors such as mustard and mushrooms.
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Chennin Blanc: Ideal food pairings include: Salads, mild to spicy rice dishes, sushi, seafood and white meats.
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Sauvignon Blanc: This is a crisp, refreshing, high-acid wine for summer drinking, on its own, or as a drink with an entree. It is excellent with shellfish or light, subtle dishes or, in its oak-aged versions, with richer fare. Sauvignon Blanc is a very food-friendly wine and terrific for appetizers such as artichoke dip, veggie dishes or dips, garlic or Italian seasonings in creamy sauces, fragrant salads - like Greek, Caesar or Garden, Thai food, fish (sushi), poultry and the list goes on.
So next time when you want to enhance the taste and flavor of your food use white wine and enjoy the experience fully. Cheers!
(Sources: winebc.com, wine.about.com,ezinearticles.com, wineonline.ie)
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