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Full Bodied Whites
Viognier
Viognier has been hailed as the new chardonnay because
of its medium to slightly fuller bodied flavor and also
because it’s a versatile wine that can compliment a wide
variety of foods and situations. However just a few years
ago this varietal was almost extinct with only a few
hectares left in the Northern Rhone appellation of France.
Now with careful cultivation by the French, the grape has
come back and is being used to make some very fine product.
A word of advice on choosing the best ones; choose a French
maker because they have it just right. Some of the new world
products have problems leading to a lack of balance and
excessive alcohol. Not as tasty. Flavors here are less
citrus-y than some of the lighter whites, expect peach,
melon and honey. Delicious!
Gewurztraminer
Think lush, lush lush! The flavors here are of rich
lychee fruits, sweet spice and loads of flowers. It’s a ripe
sexy wine that’s a wonderful accompaniment to spicy foods.
Try it with Cajun, Szechuan and those specialty Indian
dishes. So often it’s difficult to know what to order or
serve with these spectacular ethnic dishes. Gewurztraminer
should be your choice. The absolute best choices come from
Germany and the Alsatian region of France.
Oaked
Chardonnay
Our traditional favorite because it’s rich full and
buttery. Loads of vanilla here some can almost taste a
little tropical and even others have a slightly smoky
flavor. This is serious dinner wine and a superb
accompaniment to roast pork, turkey a good roast chicken
dinner and hard cheeses. It can also be served with some
Thai dishes if you like. Chardonnay is available from most
countries but truly, the French ones are the best. A little
tip here; some products are artificially oaked with oak
chips giving them a stronger oak flavor, a little like
chewing on a 2 X 4. Avoid these if you can. The gentler oak
flavor occurs because the wine is aged in expensive oak
barrels. Here the flavor if oak is just right.
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