Now that summer is approaching, I drink more white wines. I love white wines with appetizers or fish. They also pair well with all types of meat and pasta dishes. There are many great white wine grape varieties you can try.
One of the most versatile white wine grape varieties is Riesling. B.C. produces great Riesling wines which are often sweeter than other table wines. Most B.C. Rieslings are considered off-dry (sweeter than most table wines, but not as sweet as dessert wines). The sweetness and acidity of Rieslings are great for beginner wine drinkers, as Rieslings are a good transition if you are used to drinking soft drinks with meals. Soft drinks coat your tongue with sugar so everything tastes sweet. Rieslings are nice as they have some sweetness, but also have the dryness of an alcoholic drink and the acidity that makes you salivate for food.
If you don’t like sweeter wines, then try a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It will not be as sweet as a Riesling, but will have great acidity and fruity citrus flavours. It is wonderful with food or by itself.
If you want a heavier wine, then try an American Chardonnay. Chardonnay is a very popular grape variety as it is often aged in oak and many people enjoy oak and vanilla aromas. It will also have some citrus elements, but not as prominently as Sauvignon Blanc. It won’t be as fruity as a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, so it provides a great contrast to these wines. It will seem much heavier and have more intense flavours. I love Chardonnay with meat dishes and heavier seafood dishes.
Ready for some Old World wines? Remember that Old World wines are labelled by the region, not the grape variety. I love Italian white wines as they are made with many interesting and unique grape varieties not normally found in New World white wines.
Soave is an Italian white wine that I love. Firstly, I love the word “Soave” (pronounced “swa vey”) -- it just sounds like a fun and refreshing wine. Soave is a region in Northeastern Italy near Venice. The wine is made with a blend of grapes mostly consisting of the Garganega grape, which is found almost exclusively in Italy. It is fairly inexpensive and in terms of heaviness, it is more like a Sauvignon Blanc than a Chardonnay. You will get more almond, nutty flavours with a little oiliness (so it is a different texture and slightly heavier than a Sauvignon Blanc). This would be the white wine for people who don’t like fruity wines.
Here are the names of a few bottles that you can currently find in B.C. Liquor Stores:
B.C. Riesling – Wild Goose Vineyards makes, in my opinion, some of B.C.’s best white wines at affordable prices. Their 2017 Riesling is priced at $17.99 and it is spectacular.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – for under $20, try Babich Sauvignon Blanc. It’s on sale for $17.49 until June 6, 2020. If you want to splurge, one of the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs is made by Dog Point, which is priced at $32.49.
U.S. Chardonnay – for a good value wine, I suggest Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay from Washington. It’s on sale for $19.99 until June 6, 2020.
Soave – let’s go with Bolla Soave Classico at $13.49. This will give you idea of what Soave tastes like but there are also more expensive Soaves available that are very good.
Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is the Richmond News' new columnist. Lawyer by day, food and wine lover by night, Kwan is an epicurean who writes about wine, food and enjoying all that life has to offer.
