White wine does not have to be Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio!
If there are two white wines which seem to dominate restaurant and, certainly pub, wine lists, they are Sauvignon Blanc (often from New Zealand) and Pinot Grigio. But there are many good alternatives and this article picks out a few to try.
Sauvignon Blanc
So if you like Sauvignon Blanc what else could I suggest? Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic, fruity and has what the experts call “racy” (high) acidity. In cooler climates, especially in New Zealand, it’s often elderflower and gooseberry notes that predominate while in warmer places melon and passion fruit may be more typical. To get an idea of the range of Sauvignon Blancs try a wine from Touraine in the Loire. Normally more restrained in flavour but refreshing and great value. Or if your budget stretches further, try a flinty, refined Sancerre. You can find a Touraine at Majestic and they also have a good Sancerre in their Definition range.
Or maybe think Spanish and go for a Verdejo, a grape which combines aromatics with great acidity and apple, pear and peach flavours. Try the Marqués de Riscal Verdejo from Rueda, also at Majestic.
Albariño or Alvarinho in Portugal would also be a great option. You might think old-style Vinho Verde here – bubbles and little taste – but good modern examples show much more concentrated flavours. You have the aromatics – in this case white flowers – plus crispy acidity, citrus and stone fruits and maybe a touch of saltiness on the finish. The Wine Society has a good, modern Vinho Verde in its Society range and also a single varietal Albariño in its premium, Exhibition, selection.
Finally you might opt for a Vermentino, Sardinia’s signature white grape. This has strong acidity and good aromatics (acacia so they say) although it’s a little less fruity than Sauvignon Blanc. Here you’ll find citrus, peach and even melon in riper examples and a slightly bitter finish. Again Majestic has a number of options at decent prices.
Pinot Grigio
Sadly much Pinot Grigio, typically from the Veneto region in Northern Italy, is produced in great bulk. The aim is volume not quality and unsurprisingly it’s often a lacking in aroma and flavour and, owing to the summer heat in this low-lying region, sometimes over-ripe. It normally has medium acidity at best, light floral aromas, and typically flavours of stone fruit – peach, apricots and nectarines.
As an alternative, perhaps try a Grillo from Sardinia. This has the fuller body of Pinot Grigio and generally stronger floral aromas with lemon, white peach and apricots the main flavours. It has high acidity which gives it a good balance with the fruit. Grillo is the main component of the Wine Society’s Sicilian Organic White and Majestic also has an organic example.
A wine that was very popular back in the 1980s in UK was Verdicchio and it’s well worth re-visiting as the quality has improved decisively in recent years. It’s a very refreshing wine with high acidity, light notes of white flowers and tastes of green and yellow apple, sometimes with a nutty, almond flavour and a slightly bitter finish. Verdicchio’s offer fantastic value in my book. Try the Wine Society’s Verdicchio Classico or one of the offerings from Majestic.
A final option could be Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc region in southern France. This is a great marketing story and it’s become a favourite wine in the UK where some 65% of production is sold. Despite being produced on a large scale, I think many Picpouls are great value and offer a bit more than an average Pinot Grigio. Expect a lightly floral wine with predominantly citrus – lemon and lime flavours. It’s very refreshing owing to its acidity – “lip stinger” in the French – and a great summer wine. Majestic has various examples.
I hope you have time to enjoy a few of these this summer.
