Last week I tried to describe the character of the most common red grape varieties; party by listing the typical aromas and flavours you often detect, and partly by comparing them to someone famous. This week it’s the turn of white grapes. If you’ve got any to add, stick them in the comments box below…

 

Chardonnay        

Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, citrus fruits, pineapple, dairy.

Rich, gorgeous and popular, beauty and brains combined. Wins the cheerleading finals and the spelling bee at the same time. Annoyingly talented. On a good day, Chardonnay is Farrah Fawcett, Beyonce, Scarlett Johansson, Leonardo DiCaprio.

 

Sauvignon Blanc 

Gooseberry, kiwi, elderflower, asparagus, cut grass.

Tall and slim, often elegant and fun. Can get a bit irritating if you’re not in the mood. Like Cameron Diaz, Lisa Kudrow, and Jim Carrey.

 

Chenin Blanc

Quince, lemon, wet dog, honey.

Unassuming but multitalented. Tricky one this. But Chenin is  Jamie Oliver, Ellen DeGeneres and Carole Vorderman.

 

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Apple, pear, melon, Turkish delight.

From shy, retiring, and perhaps a bit dull Pinot Grigio, to self-assured and confident Pinot Gris. Pinot Grigio would be an anonymous commuter on your way to work. Pinot Gris would be JK Rowling or Naomi Klein.

 

Semillon    

Lime, satsuma, wax.

Bit plain in youth, but takes on interest with age. Hard to warm to, but can be impressive. Semillon is Tilda Swinton and Uma Thurman.

 

Marsanne  

Celery, apricot, peach, rhubarb, mango.

Strongly individual, unusual but characterful and capable of greatness. Great young, great old. Vivienne Westwood and Xena, Warrior Princess.

 

Viognier     

White peach, apricot, floral.

Pretty, curvy and potentially amazing on many levels. Viognier is Beth Ditto and Marilyn Monroe.

 

Riesling     

Lemon and lime, petrol, satsuma, jasmine.

Individual, smart and razor-sharp, Riesing doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Mary Portas,  Catwoman or the White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

Gewürztraminer 

Turkish delight, rose, lychee, cinnamon, soap.

Girly and dolled up to the max with layers of makeup and stilettos. Gewürz is Barbie, Britney Spears or Dolly Parton.

 

Torrontés  

Apricot, peach, green grapes, faintly spicy.

Spicy and voluptuous, Torrontés is a crowd pleaser and getting increasing famous. Like Penelope Cruz.

 

Albariño    

Green apple, honeysuckle, lemon, jasmine.

On the fringes but deserves to be better known. Everyone that gets to know Albariño seems to love it. It is Javier Bardem and Emiliana Torrini.

 

If you’ve got any to add, or if you agree or disagree, leave your thoughts in the box below…