While Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the most popular white wines in the world, there is a much broader universe of flavors and aromas offered by white wines. We invite you to open your senses with these white wine alternatives.
Pinot Grigio
Did you know it is the most popular white wine in Italy and its real name is Pinot Gris? This “white” wine is known for its refreshing lime, lemon, nectarine, and green apple flavors, making it a natural pairing for fish and seafood dishes. Its skin is said to be “white,” but it is actually a greyish blue, thanks to a mutation of the Pinot Noir red grape that gave life to this variety. Thanks to its crunchy acidity and simplicity, a cold glass of Pinot Grigio is the perfect solution for a hot day.
Viognier
If you love Chardonnay but have been wanting to try something new, then Viognier might be just the wine for you. The two varietals share certain qualities and are characterized as fuller body white wines, often barrel-aged, with a creamy texture. But their aromas differ. While Chardonnay has citrus aromas such as lemon and green apple, Viognier is dominated by floral aromas and fruits such as peach or apricot. While some of the best Viognier wines come from the Rhône Valley in France, there are also some excellent options from the New World. One of those is Casillero del Diablo Viognier, both fresh and intense, with notes of apricot and custard apple, whose oily texture makes it the perfect pairing for spiced dishes, white meats such as pork, and lobster.
Pedro Jiménez
This white wine variety, which has no relation to the Pedro Ximénez grapes grown in Spain to make sherry, has traditionally been recognized in Chile for its use in pisco production. However, some Chilean wineries have recently decided to try using Pedro Jiménez (from the Limari and Choapa valleys) to make wines that stand out for their freshness and simplicity. For example, Casillero del Diablo Pedro Jiménez 2020 from Limari is a fresh, friendly wine that is easy to drink and marked by fruity and floral tones. With its initial smoothness and juicy finish on the palate, this wine pairs perfectly with fish and seafood, salads, and hors d’oeuvres.
Riesling
A common initial reaction to Riesling is one of love or hate, as this German-origin grape variety is known for its “strong” character. This is essentially because its aromas deviate from those commonly recognized in white wines and because it is often produced with a bit of residual sugar, making it a somewhat sweeter wine. Its aromas usually include some citrus, as well as notes of honey, petroleum, and flowers like jasmine. This wine pairs well with spicy foods or fish and seafood dishes.
As you can see, when it comes to drinking white wine, there is quite a variety of options. Sometimes, we just need to open ourselves up to new possibilities and explore new flavors.
