LIGHT-BODIED OFF DRY (SWEET) WINES
The body of a wine is the texture and weight of the wine in the mouth. A lighter body is going to feel lighter in weight, thinner like water instead of thick like syrup. A lighter body in a white wine can be created through three mean: less residual sugar content, lower alcohol and higher acidity. Alcohol content is the primary contributor to the body of a wine. A higher alcohol content makes a more viscous, heavier, fuller wine, and a lower alcohol content creates the opposite effect. White wines tend to contain less alcohol than red wines overall so they contain a lower body compared. Larger amounts of residual sugar also creates a thicker wine. This is the case for two reasons. A greater amount of sugar in a grape means a greater amount of sugar in a wine which will create thickness (think sugars creating the textue of syrup). Secondly, during fermentation, it is the sugar that transforms into alcohol. More sugar means there is more sugar to transform into more alcohol while less sugar means there is less sugar to transform into alcohol. In a sweet, light bodied wine, the winemaker will usually convert most of the sugars to alcohol but some residual sugar will remain to create a sweet or off-dry effect.
These are the characteristics of a light bodied sweet wine. They feel lighter and more watery in the mouth and contain relatively lower alcohol levels compared to a heavier bodied white wine. Because they are sweet, they tend to contain some residual sugar and possibly less acidity.
These are the characteristics of a light bodied sweet wine. They feel lighter and more watery in the mouth and contain relatively lower alcohol levels compared to a heavier bodied white wine. Because they are sweet, they tend to contain some residual sugar and possibly less acidity.
RIESLING (REESE-ling)
A versatile wine with a sweet and full bodied option. Think sweet honeyed orchard fruits that stay crisp without being overly syrupy and thick
Riesling wines originate in Germany's, have expanded to production worldwide and can span a broad range of styles. A Riesling can be produced to have a full body or light, to be dry or sweet. Riesling wines are known for their high aromatic quality with the sweet smell of fruits and floral including apples, nectarines, apricots, peaches, pears, honey and spice. These apple, pear and peach come out in the flavor and sometimes expand to include more tropical and citrus flavors often reminisced due to the wine's high acidity. European Rieslings can pick up mineral qualities in the aroma and even in the flavor. These sweeter Rieslings can boast a lushness to their character as well as the still crisp quality, not being overly syrupy and thick in texture.
A sweeter Riesling is going to contain much less alcohol than its dryer counterpart, usually under 10%. Germany will practice in making all varieties of Rieslings and often create the more light bodied Riesling but can tend towards the sweeter full bodied as well. Make sure to check alcohol content to ensure you are purchasing the style you want. Australian Rieslings can tend towards the sweeter style, but usually come in a dryer form. These Rieslings aer best known for their lime notes in the aroma and flavor. New Zealand produces a lighter bodied Riesling of either dryer or sweeter quality with citrus notes more so than tropical notes. Rieslings coming out of the United States can vary greatly by region. Washington tend to produce lighter bodied, higher acidity, Rieslings of dry or sweet nature. These tend to have bolder and richer flavors combined with a touch of minerality. Peach is a common flavor found in Washington Riesling.
Riesling wines originate in Germany's, have expanded to production worldwide and can span a broad range of styles. A Riesling can be produced to have a full body or light, to be dry or sweet. Riesling wines are known for their high aromatic quality with the sweet smell of fruits and floral including apples, nectarines, apricots, peaches, pears, honey and spice. These apple, pear and peach come out in the flavor and sometimes expand to include more tropical and citrus flavors often reminisced due to the wine's high acidity. European Rieslings can pick up mineral qualities in the aroma and even in the flavor. These sweeter Rieslings can boast a lushness to their character as well as the still crisp quality, not being overly syrupy and thick in texture.
A sweeter Riesling is going to contain much less alcohol than its dryer counterpart, usually under 10%. Germany will practice in making all varieties of Rieslings and often create the more light bodied Riesling but can tend towards the sweeter full bodied as well. Make sure to check alcohol content to ensure you are purchasing the style you want. Australian Rieslings can tend towards the sweeter style, but usually come in a dryer form. These Rieslings aer best known for their lime notes in the aroma and flavor. New Zealand produces a lighter bodied Riesling of either dryer or sweeter quality with citrus notes more so than tropical notes. Rieslings coming out of the United States can vary greatly by region. Washington tend to produce lighter bodied, higher acidity, Rieslings of dry or sweet nature. These tend to have bolder and richer flavors combined with a touch of minerality. Peach is a common flavor found in Washington Riesling.
CHENIN BLANC* (shen-in BLAHNK)
Peaches and creamy honey to tropical fruits
Chenin Blanc is a wine with great range of sweetness/dryness and body depending on the climate, harvesting and practices of production. Its native to the Loire Valley of France, its in large production in South Africa and quite popular in the USA. Sweeter Chenin Blanc wines from Europe tend towards peach and creamy honey flavors. New World Chenin Blanc can show fruity tropics such as banana, guava, pear and pineapple.
Chenin Blanc may be marketed under the name Vouvray. Vouvray is an appalation known for its quality Chenin Blanc wines. Vouvray can boast Chenin Blanc wines with balance, aromatic depth and great aging capacity.
Chenin Blanc is a wine with great range of sweetness/dryness and body depending on the climate, harvesting and practices of production. Its native to the Loire Valley of France, its in large production in South Africa and quite popular in the USA. Sweeter Chenin Blanc wines from Europe tend towards peach and creamy honey flavors. New World Chenin Blanc can show fruity tropics such as banana, guava, pear and pineapple.
Chenin Blanc may be marketed under the name Vouvray. Vouvray is an appalation known for its quality Chenin Blanc wines. Vouvray can boast Chenin Blanc wines with balance, aromatic depth and great aging capacity.
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Grapes of Germany @germanwinesusa.com
Supple Wine @ supplewine.com
Fringe Wine @ fringewine.blogspot.ca
Grapes of Germany @germanwinesusa.com