While chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, there is a much broader universe of flavours and aromas that white wines can offer. Maybe Sauvignon Blanc, another popular white strain that is usually drunk on hot summer days, quickly came to your mind. However, here we want to invite you to open your senses by presenting you more alternatives to serve in your glass. These are some of the other white varieties that you shouldn’t miss trying:

• Pinot Grigio

Did you know that it is the most popular white variety in Italy and that its real name is Pinot Gris? Very popular in Europe, this “white” wine grape is characterized by its refreshing flavours of lime, lemon, nectarine and green apple, making it a natural ally for fish and seafood dishes. We say that its skin is “white” because it has a greyish-blue hue, as a result of a mutation of the red grape Pinot Noir. Thanks to its crispy acidity and simplicity, Pinot Grigio is ideal to beat the heat by serving it very cold. We invite you to put a bottle of Frontera Pinot Grigio in your fridge and try it by yourself.

• Viognier

If you are a fan of Chardonnay but have thought about trying something new, then Viognier could be your wine. Viognier and Chardonnay share certain qualities, for example both are the main full-bodied white wines. Since they are usually oak-aged, both have a creamy texture too. However, they vary in their aromas. While Chardonnay has a citrus notes range such as lemon and  green fruit notes such as apple, in Viognier the aromas of flowers such as blossom predominate, and then  stone fruits such as apricot. While some of the best Viognier come from the Rhone area in France, there are excellent wines in the New World as well. An example is Casillero del Diablo Viognier, with a fresh and intense flavour, notes of apricot and custard apple, it’s oily texture makes it the ideal companion for spiced dishes, meats like pork or seafood such as lobster.

• Pedro Jiménez

This white grape variety, which has nothing to do with the Pedro Ximénez grown in Spain for the production of Jerez, has traditionally been recognized in Chile for its use in the production of Pisco. However, in recent years some Chilean wineries decided to try Pedro Jiménez (from the Limarí and Choapa valleys) to produce wines that stand out for their great freshness and simplicity. From Limarí, for example, is Casillero del Diablo Pedro Jiménez 2020, a gentle fresh wine, very easy to drink, fruity and floral. With a smooth entry and a juicy finish on the palate, this wine is perfect to accompany fish and seafood, salads and appetizers.

• Riesling

A common first reaction to Riesling is to love or hate. Let’s say that this German wine grape is characterized by its “strong” character. Basically, because its aromas escape the aromas that we commonly recognize in white wines and, in addition, because it is usually vinified leaving a some residual sugar which makes it a little bit sweeter. Although there are also dry Rieslings. Among its aromas it is usual to find some citrus notes, honey, petrol and floral aromas such as Jasmine. And depending on its style, whether it is sweet or dry, it will pair very well with spiced foods or with fish and seafood.

As you can see, when it comes to drinking white wine the options are very varied. Sometimes we just have to open ourselves to new possibilities and experiment.