White wine grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are likely the first that come to mind. If you’re really into wine, wine grape varieties like Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, or the Austrian wine, Grüner Veltliner, may come to mind. These all hail from traditional European growing regions from the Loire Valley in France, or even to the wine regions of South Africa or New Zealand. But what about Missouri? Idaho? Minnesota? Texas?
We’re used to wine lists featuring wines by style: sparkling, rosé, white, or red. We’ve been trained to look for a specific variety to pair with our food. We’re accustomed to selecting the same grape variety every time we shop our local wine store. But how adventurous are you willing to be? Can you put your favorite French wines back on the shelf and pick something you have never tried, or even heard of? Do it! Right now! Edit your tried and true wine selections and seek out one of these beauties instead!
Check out these white wine grapes!
TRAMINETTE: Born in 1965, this hybrid has Gewurztraminer as one of its parents. Being cold-hardy, it has continued to increase in popularity from New York to Illinois. With the ability to make aromatic dry wines to luscious, honeyed sweet wines, winemakers rank this variety near the top of the rank for hybrid wine grapes. If you like aromatic Gewürztraminer, you’ll want to try Traminette.
Here are two delicious Traminette wines to try:
> 2021 TerraVox 2021 TRAMINETTE
VIGNOLES: Hailing from France, this hybrid has found it’s home in Missouri as well as the New York Finger Lakes. While not confirmed, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir may be in this grape’s family tree. It maintains bright and crisp acidity whether made in a dry style, or a dessert-style wine. Ripe tropical fruit, like pineapple, is balanced with tart citrus to create delicious and complex wines. The acidity allows it to age for a few years bringing spiced ginger notes. Vignoles ability to perfect dry to sweet wines make it the perfect alternative to Riesling.
A few of my favorites from Missouri include:
> Röbbler Vineyard Reserve Vignoles
> Les Bourgeois Vineyards 2022 Vignoles
FRONTENAC BLANC: With Noir, Gris and Blanc, Frontenac competes with Pinot for the most styles! If you’ve followed my other blog posts featuring this grape, you already know it was “bred” at the University of Minnesota by Peter Hemstad. His winery, St. Croix Vineyards produces a wine highlighting the grape’s pear and pineapple flavors with a bit of heft and full mouth feel. If you like Viognier, you’ll love Frontenac Blanc!
> St. Croix Vineyards Frontenac Blanc
Don’t stop now, here are a few more!
SEYVAL BLANC: This French hybrid has been around for a century and a half and is being re-discovered from it’s heydey pre-Prohibition. Unfortunately, Seyval is not allowed in “quality” wines in most of Europe even though it has its roots there. However, the Brits find this grape a true superstar for sparking and still whites! In the good ole U.S. of A., Seyval can shine in any state! Bright and lively acidity make it a great citrus-driven dry wine. But, this also gives it the backbone for richer, creamier styles having gone through malolactic fermentation. Think Chardonnay from crisp Chablis to rich Napa Valley. A true chameleon!
> Breaky Bottom WineryCuvée Jack Pike Seyval Blanc Brut
VIDAL: Does Vidal make white wine outside it’s famed Icewine? Yes, and you should find some today! Making waves in Canada and in the U.S., Vidal is for Chardonnay lovers. As with several others mentioned, this wine’s high acidity allows winemakers to pick it early for crisp, dry whites, or leave it hanging on the vine to freeze for icewine. It’s truly that versatile. Citrus, honey, and apricot layers create a complex wine even though it is pale in color.
> Inniskillin Gold Label Oak Aged Vidal Icewine
> Röbbler Vineyards Reserve Vidal
> Johnson Estate 2020 Vidal Blanc
That’s not all folks…
There are so many more varieties that create beautiful dry wines and sweet wines. Some off-dry to sweet wines have such low residual sugar you almost don’t notice they’re sweet! In Texas, Blanc de Bois is the most planted white grape and produces wines with citrus flavors like grapefruit, ripe pear, peach and pineapple. They can be super crisp and dry or honeyed and off-dry. With its typically low alcohol and fresh palate, Blanc de Bois is the perfect pairing in Texas summers. Additionally, it is a sturdy vine that can withstand growing in Texas heat.
Italy is another wine region with numerous white wine varieties from Cortese to Garganeca, Greco to Malvasia. You can find new ones in every wine region, some are even local to single villages. The possibilities are endless! If I’ve piqued your interest, check out Somm Women Talk Wine’s podcast on Italian White Wines and discover your next favorite!
Don’t forget to check out my previous posts on some fun new wines to try and take your summer adventures to a whole new wine level!
Cheers!
