The world of winter white wine

If you don’t want to observe (practice? participate in?) Dry January and opt for the “wet” edition, here are some white wines that will stand up to hearty winter fare without cutting back on booze.

eastern europe

Count Karori Gruner Veltliner 2021, Hungary. This neighboring bottling, usually offered from Austria, is a medium-bodied, dry white wine from the Panon region of Hungary. It tastes like a hybrid of Chardonnay and Riesling, with flavors of roasted pear fruit, green apple, tangerine and clementine. Mild on the palate, it’s easy, comforting, and versatile with cheese, roasted chicken, butternut squash, and risotto.

Stone Castle Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay Reserve 2018, Rahovetsi Valley, Kosovo. surprised! He is the largest producer in Kosovo and one of the largest producers in the Balkans, making his tropical fruit Chardonnay. It has aromas of apple and pear, some pineapple, and a hint of honey, with a round and creamy taste thanks to the long aging in barrels and lees. It’s delicious, interesting, and a worthwhile detour off the usual Chardonnay path.

France

Chateau des Aduses “Le Tigres” Faugeres 2022 Languedoc, southeastern France. Vermentino, also known as Roll, is medium bodied with lemon/lime notes. Experience the true South of France by blending Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. A sparkling lemon gold that is refreshing and flavorful.

Domaine Passy Le Crew Chablis 1^Erm Cru Beauroy 2017, Chablis. A classic Old World Chardonnay with golden color and tart notes of green apple and quince. A nice interplay between tart apples and richer, riper fruit. It has a mellow, rich, slightly lactic flavor, probably due to being left on the lees. This is by a young winemaking team that is trying to wake up the region. When it comes to pairings, the simpler the better, such as creamy risotto, roasted white meat, and soft cheese.

Gustave Lorenz Pinot Blanc Reserve 2022, Alsace. A wine that expresses the richness of white from the Alsace region in northeastern France. This shows tart yellow plums and apples, fennel and mouth-watering acidity. It’s the perfect midweek wine to pair with creamy pasta, but it’s also great for weekend dinners with friends.

Pascal Granger Beaujolais Village Blanc “La Jaccarde” 2021. Shimmering light gold color, medium body, beeswaxy glycerol. Appetizing acidity, but not racy. This is a great democratic wine. It’s not too simple or complex, making it a great culinary partner for a variety of flavors and textures. Pull up a bistro chair for this one.

Portugal

Herdade de San Miguel “Colheita Selectionada” Blanco 2020, Alentenjo. A blend of native Portuguese grapes in collaboration with Vedelho and Viognier, this wine is a medium-bodied, lemony, smoky/flint, white and yellow tropical fruit wine that is perfect for fall and winter cooking. It goes well with The hearty chicken noodle soup and smoked Gouda cheese go perfectly together.

Quinta de Chocapalha Arinto 2020, Vinho Region, Lisbon. Made 100% from Arinto, one of Portugal’s wonderfully versatile heirloom white grapes, this wine is a medium-bodied wine with fresh, citrusy, tropical aromas, a hint of minerality, and leans towards the stone fruit spectrum. is.

southern hemisphere

capensis 2020 Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa. A 100% indigenous wine, blended from multiple vineyards, this wine is chard lightly modified by the winemaker. For example, the fruit shines and intervention is minimal, or at least the winemaker showed careful skill. The quite toasty brioche flavor and salty undertones hint at Chablis, but the tropical fruit puts this in a new world. Beautiful Chard convinces Chard’s deserters to come back.

Matthi Coralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Valle de San Antonio, Chile. A medium to full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc, without the typical robust green notes of New World SB. On the nose, there are notes of boxwood that give way to a juicy wine with tropical fruits of grapefruit, papaya, and mango. Actually, I’m not a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc, but dear reader, I drank it all!

Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2022, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Trusted performers by Legacy Family (1688) producers. Yellow apples, not very waxy. Although it is a Loire version, it has a flavor similar to wines from warmer regions of the region. A touch of lanolin and a pleasantly flavorful glycerol mouthfeel slip into the tropical fruits of pear, melon, passion fruit and pear.

Spain

Bodegas La Val finca arantei Albarino 2021, Rias Baixas. Creamy lemon compote, herbal aromas, yellow fruits and white flowers smooth out the palate for a very satisfying palate. Despite this wine’s plush weight, it has a zesty, slightly salty hue that provides a luxurious experience. Single vineyard, estate bottled.

Ramon Bilbao Verdejo 2022, Rueda DO, Spain. Aromas of buttercream and lactic acid give this medium-bodied yellow fruit wine. Quite sour. Lemon compote pairs well with yellow plums, cherries and tarragon. Perfect for roasted white meats and root vegetables.

South Italy

Feud Makkari Family & Friends Grillo 2021, Terre Siciliane IGP. A full-bodied, flavorful, fresh white wine, packed with anise and herbs, tart yellow fruits and white cherries. Amazing shocker.

Masseria Ri Veli “Verdeca” 2020, Salento IGT. The heels of the boots give off a golden color with a hint of honey, accompanied by hints of lemon zest and a bit of petrol. In the mouth, it’s full-bodied, with more lemon flavor and a cooked compote. Luxurious and rich while maintaining a tart fruit profile. It goes great with omelettes and other egg dishes, but it also goes great with green vegetables like kale.

American side

Dutchman Family Winery Roussanne 2020, Oswald Vineyards, Texas. There’s a bit of oak spice on the nose, with some herbal overtones, followed by yellow fruits on the palate: yellow plum, lemon compote, and a bit of apple. Richer, fuller-bodied and a solid performer in the growing discipline of successful Mediterranean grape varieties in Texas.

tank “La Loba” 2021 El Dorado County, California A Chenin-driven carbonated white blend with the help of Petit Manseng, Bianchetta Trevigan, and a little Orange Muscat. Full-bodied, luxurious, beeswax-polished apricot. I’m happy that it’s unexpected. One of his series of quirky and fun wines with eye-catching labels.