Perhaps the world's most popular white grape; grown in nearly every
wine producing country. In France its spiritual home is Burgundy
; producing uniquely styled wines from the crisp, mineral-edged wines
of Chablis through to the richly textured and buttery wines of Meursault
or the hazelnut infused wines of Chassagne-Montrachet.
Chardonnay is grown throughout the Languedoc (of variable quality),
the Loire and is also one of the principal grapes used in the production
of Champagne .
Chardonnay - Found in Burgundy, Champagne, Loire & Languedoc
Sauvignon Blanc
Found as a single varietal in the famous whites of the Loire – Sancerre
and Pouilly Fumé (plus Quincy , Reuilly and Menetou-Salon) the highly
aromatic Sauvignon Blanc also forms part of the white blends of Bordeaux.
The wines are noted for their piercing acidity and aromas of gooseberries
and cut grass. The grape also used in the sweet wines of Bordeaux,
often softened with the use of Semillon.
Sauvignon Blanc - Found in Loire, Bordeaux , South West France
Sémillon
Along with Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, is the key ingredient in
the white wines of Bordeaux both dry and sweet including the famous
wines of Sauternes and Graves. Semillon is also grown elsewhere in
the South West most impressively for the sweet wines of Saussignac,
Monbazillac, Cadillac, Loupiac and Barsac.
Semillon Found in Bordeaux and South West France
Riesling
One of the world's great grape varieties but, in France , only
seen in the region of Alsace , where it is classed as the regions
noblest variety. Riesling from Alsace is generally dry and of higher
alcohol than its German counterparts.
Riesling - Found in Alsace .
Pinot Blanc
One of several off-shoots from the Pinot Noir family and closely
related to Pinot Gris. Mainly found in Alsace the grape produces
high quality wines, perhaps lacking in perfume, but with a rich,
full-bodied style that is very food-friendly.
Pinot Blanc - Found in Alsace
Pinot Gris
Also known as Pinot Beurot or Malvoisie, this is a mutation of
Pinot Noir and closely related to Pinot Blanc. The most famous Pinot
Gris wines emanate from Alsace ; were traditionally it was known
as Tokay Pinot Gris. Not too dissimilar to its Blanc cousin the Pinot
Gris wines of Alsace are not generally blessed with powerful aromas
but the delicious richness of the palate makes for superb food-partnering
wines.
Pinot Gris - found in Alsace
Muscadelle
This is the third grape along with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc,
that produces the white wines of Bordeaux . The grape is planted
right across the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux producing plenty
of often lacklustre dry whites and in
Cadillac, Loupiac and Ste Croix-du-Mont for sweet wines in the style
of Sauternes. Muscadelle is also seen in neighbouring Bergerac again
both for dry white wines and in the sweet styles of Monbazillac.
It is seldom seen outside of Bordeaux and its environs.
Muscadelle - found in Bordeaux and South West France
