White Grape Varietals
Sauvignon Blanc
Light and tangy, fresh and crisp. Light to medium acidity. Sour to tropical fruits with grassy overtones. Legendary in NZ! Loire, Bordeaux, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, South Africa.
Chardonnay
Has a plethora of styles however the most popular are rich and full bodied. Described as buttery and creamy, hints of citrus and stone fruits. Chablis, Burgundy, popular across the globe.
Viognier
A grape that almost went extinct. Complex, medium body, low to medium acidity. Apricots, peaches, spice. Floral aroma, often Jasmine. Rhone, Languedoc, Australia, USA, Chile, South Africa.
Riesling
Some are sweet but many are light, crisp, dry and fruity. Very fragrant wine with flavours of lime cordial and, with age, kerosene. German origins. Alsace, Australia, NZ, USA, Chile.
Semillon
Waxy, blossomy, rounded in texture, relatively neutral in taste. Toasty with age. Often blended to balance its strong grassiness. Bordeaux, Chile, Argentina, Australia, USA.
Chenin Blanc
High acidity produces dry and sweet wines that gain complexity with age. Light and fruity, some say woolly, stewed apples, baked quince and honey. Loire, South Africa, USA, Australia, NZ
Gewurz-Traminer
A bold and crisp wine high in acidity; intense and aromatic. Exotic flavours of Turkish delight, spicy ginger, tropical lychees. Can be very sweet or dry. Alsace, Germany, Italy, Chile, Australia.
Pinot Blanc
Often confused with Chardonnay, although it is crisper and lighter in style. Fruity, citrus flavours and aromas, high acidity. Best drunk young. Alsace, Germany, Italy.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Gris in France. Light bodied, crisp and fresh. Heady stone fruit and floral aromas. Pinot Gris is slightly fuller bodied and spicier than Pinot Blanc. Italy, Germany, Australia, USA.
Moscato
Famous for its sweet flavours of peaches, orange blossom and musk. Often made into sweet dessert wines and fortified wines. Alsace, Languedoc, Austria, Italy, USA, Australia.