European White Wine

Rhone Valley White Wines

These wines are unique and thus misunderstood. For that reason, there are many lists that do not represent whites from the Rhone Valley . Those who are curious enough to try the wines from this region are rewarded with the discovery of a beverage that is well suited to food. We offer a selection of white wines from the North, Hermitage Blanc, St. Joseph and Condrieu, and the south with Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

The Condrieu, made from the difficult Viognier, is reminiscent of the broad flavors of soft tree fruit like peach, pear, and apricot. In the hands a producer like Cuilleron, it can seem more like an elixir or potion than a wine.

Hermitage Blanc, on the other hand, is more solid and firm, and has the ability to age well, becoming nutty and honeyed over time. In its youth it has more of a citrus and mineral character.

The whites of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are lighter and firmer than one would expect from a region that produces heavy and hearty red wines. These wines have spicy, herbal notes and firm, but not crisp, acidity. The Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, made principally from the Roussane grape, opens up after about fifteen minutes of air, in the same manner as a young Burgundy .

To enjoy wine… what is needed is a sense of smell, a sense of taste and an eye for colour.

All else is experience and personal preference.

Cyril Ray from "Ray on Wine"

White Bordeaux

Bordeaux Superieur, Graves and Pessac-Leognan are light, supple oak aged wines from the Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. In some the Sauvignon Banc is used exclusively and the wines are very dry. In all cases, they are unlike wines made from these varieties from different provenance.

White Burgundy

The white wines of Burgundy at their finest are among the most refined of all white wines on earth. While other Chardonnay can equal or surpass even the most robust white Burgundy in power, none can rival them in finesse and length, complexity and fascination.

From the northern zones of Burgundy , the steely, mineral driven wines of Chablis entice with their astonishing length and longevity. They are not round, robust and voluptuous like some of their New World counterparts. These are intellectual Chardonnays, focused and lean, with a razor's edge of acidity, definitely worthy of reflection.

In the Cote de Beaune we find the silken chardonnay that inspired imitation all around the world. The style here varies from the full, broad palate of Corton-Charlemagne, to the hazelnut of Meursault. Traveling further south, one encounters wines with vanilla and honey character, and with citrus and chamomile notes, in Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet respectively. These wines give the impression of richness without being heavy or over done.

The fuller wines from these appellations can accompany richer dishes composed of fowl or lobster, and the leaner styles will amplify the flavors of seafood preparations.

…no critic should forget, as he dallies with epithets, sipping his oak-fermented Chardonnay, or rates one precious bottle half a point behind another, that wine is one of the miracles of nature, and that its

10,000 years of partnership with man has not removed that element of mystery, that independent life that alone among all our foods has made men think of it as divine.

Hugh Johnson, "Wine"

White Loire

The Loire Valley spans an impressive distance while running along its namesake, France 's longest river. Beginning in the Atlantic and journeying upstream towards the Cevennes Mountains , we stop first in the coastal region of Pays Nantes where light, almost transparent and pleasingly grapey wines are made from Muscadet. Next, the middle Loire around the towns of Angers and Tours , boasts two appellations; Anjou-Saumur and the Touraine , where the Chenin Blanc grape achieves greatness in a stunning array of styles. Finally, in the well liked upper Loire , known as the Central Vineyards, Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre express the racy, smoky, citrus fruit character of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

Alsace

Alsace stands alone as the region in France where grape variety, rather than regional traditions, determines the type of wine that is made. There are four noble varieties: the massively floral and spicy Gewurztraminer, which is evocative of lychees and rose petals; the intense stone fruit of Riesling; the nutty and creamy-textured Pinot Gris; and Muscat , with its notes of orange rind and lemon. Elsewhere in the World these grapes often are made into sweet wines, here they are most frequently expressed in elegantly dry and complex versions. In warmer vintages, these wines display an exotic richness and ripeness that cannot be found in any other region.

Though Alsace is given to varietal definition of the wines, it does not exclude location entirely from the equation. There has been a demarcation of Grand Cru vineyard sites over recent years. We have been careful to select wines from unique, important vineyards such as Josmeyer's Hengst or Zind-Humbrecht's Brand and Goldert. We also explore wines from Marcel Deiss who goes against the grain and often does not list varietal, but specific vineyard sites. These wines are usually blends of the great varieties of Alsace , with the intent to express the terroir rather than varietal character.

The vineyard and wine are great mysteries. Alone in the vegetable kingdom, the vine gives us a true understanding of the savor of the earth. And how faithfully it is translated. Through it we realize that even flint can be living, yielding, nourishing. Even the unemotional chalk weeps, in wine, golden tears.

Gabrielle Sidonie Colette, "Prisons et Paradis"

Austrian Wine

The Gruner Veltliner is the most widely planted variety throughout and has an enticing mix of spice, herbs, olives, minerals and a citric zing on the palate. Riesling is also produced in a fashion unique to Austria , rich and fleshy these dry styles are exceedingly food friendly. In the Wachau, it truly is all about the vineyard site being expressed through the wine. Production is largely Riesling and Gruner Veltliner, and these intensely complex wines deign for cosmic recognition.

Later in this list, and in your dining experience, we encourage you to explore the sweet dessert wines from the Neusiedlersee of Burgenland. These are rich, thrilling and intense!

German Wine

The wines of Germany are steeped in tradition, with many regional aspects creating vine stressing conditions, and treacherous farming situations.

German wines, as we know them, began to be produced in the late 18 th century, and are among the worlds greatest. They are known for their refinement and innate ability to express a vineyard's characteristics. The backbone here is acid and they have plenty, which adds nothing if not life and longevity.

Here, Riesling is King. Whether it is a drier, or t rocken, style, or a kabinett, spatlese or auslese with respectively increasing sweetness, Riesling is undeniably the most versatile white grape when pairing with food. Play with the light, crisp wines from the Mosel , the richer wines from Rheingau, or the enticing spice notes of the Pfalz. We offer a wide spectrum of selections, from first class producers.

...Riesling knows soil more intimately than any other grape, and…Riesling is more articulate than any other grape in conveying soil right into your palpitating palate. Go on, SOIL YOUR PALATE,

with Riesling.

Terry Thiese, Wine Importer and Bon Vivant

Italian White Wines

We feature sultry and enticing wines made by seasoned producers such as Angelo Gaja in Piedmont, Paolo Di Marchi in Tuscany and Guiseppe Quintarelli in Veneto . There are equally as compelling wines from up and coming producers in Sicily , as well as fun and racy crisp whites from the more familiar provinces of Friuli and Alto Adige.

One can find traditional grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio, and more internationally known varieties such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. There is, however, the unmistakable stamp of Italy in each glass; dry, citrus, minerals and nuts. If oak is used, it is done so judiciously.

WHITE COTES DU RHONE & PROVENCE

WHITE BORDEAUX

WHITE BURGUNDY

WHITE LOIRE

WHITE ALSACE

AUSTRIAN WHITE WINE

GERMAN WHITE WINE

ITALIAN WHITE WINE