Unveiling Spicy White Wines: The Grape Mystery

Aromatic white wines are produced from grape varieties that tend to give off higher amounts of natural aromas. These wines are characterised by their intense floral or herbal notes, with some also exhibiting citrus, rose petal, or herbaceous aromas. While there is no legal definition of aromatic, scientific analysis has shown that certain grape varieties contain higher levels of organic compounds, such as terpenes, which contribute to these distinctive scents. One such variety is the Gewürztraminer grape, predominantly grown in Alsace, France, which is known for its lychee, rose, passion fruit, and floral aromas.

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, grown in France, Italy, Oregon, and New Zealand

Pinot Gris, or Pinot Grigio as it is known in Italy, is a white grape variety and a member of the extended Pinot family of grape varieties. It is a pink-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir and is thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir variety. Pinot Gris is grown around the world, with notable wine-growing regions in France, Italy, Oregon, and New Zealand.

France

Pinot Gris is grown in the Alsace region of France, where it is considered by many to be the grape's homeland. The highest-quality wines made from this grape come from Alsace, with the best wines carrying the label "Grand Cru". Alsatian Pinot Gris wines are full-bodied and tend to have lower acidity, higher alcohol levels, and an "oily" or "unctuous" texture. They are fruity and dry with a notable spicy quality, with flavours of ripe tropical fruit, notes of melon and mango, bitter almond, cinnamon and ginger, yellow apple, and a little smoke and earth.

Italy

Pinot Grigio is most commonly described as a lean and crisp dry white wine with relatively high acidity and a spritzy sensation. It has aromas of lemon, lime, green apple, and blossoms. The grapes are harvested early to retain freshness and acidity and are fermented and stored in stainless steel tanks to retain their clean, simple style. The best Italian Pinot Grigios come from the steep Alpine valleys in northern Italy, such as Alto Adige and Friuli. These wines are dry and minerally, with fruity-spicy-earthy flavours like peach, green apple, and almond.

Oregon

Oregon is home to some of the best American Pinot Gris wines, particularly from the cool-climate Willamette Valley. Oregonian Pinot Gris presents a balanced profile of fresh citrus and ripe orchard fruit flavours. The wines are typically medium to full-bodied, with a refreshing acidity and often a hint of mineral or spice.

New Zealand

New Zealand is the third most planted white grape variety in the country, after Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The grape is grown in both the North and South Islands, with half of all plantings in Canterbury and Marlborough. New Zealand Pinot Gris has a rich, flinty, fruit-laden character.

Gewürztraminer, grown in Alsace, France

Gewürztraminer is a white wine grape variety used to produce aromatic wines with a spicy flavour profile. The name itself means "spicy Traminer" or "perfumed Traminer" in German, with "Gewürz" translating to "spice". This variety was first grown in Alsace, France, in the 19th century and has since become the region's most characteristic grape. It is grown in approximately 20% of vineyards in the region and is the second most planted grape variety.

The grapevines thrive in Alsace's semi-continental climate, which features cold winters, sunny autumns, and limited precipitation. Gewürztraminer's pink-to-red-skinned grapes are ideally suited to the cooler climates of this region, contributing to the wine's unique flavour profile.

Gewürztraminer wines from Alsace exhibit a flamboyant bouquet of aromas, including lychees, roses, passion fruit, and other floral notes. The wine is typically full-bodied, with moderate to low acidity and higher alcohol content due to the grape's rapid ripening.

On the palate, the wine is versatile, pairing well with both traditional European dishes and international cuisine. It complements strong-tasting cheeses such as Munster or Gorgonzola, as well as intensely flavoured dishes like Moroccan tagines. The wine's aromatic intensity also makes it a good match for Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisine, where the use of nuts, dried fruits, and roasted meats creates a harmonious pairing.

When serving Gewürztraminer, it is recommended to chill it to fridge-cold temperatures, between 38-45ºF (4-6 ºC), to enhance its freshness and preserve its aromas. Most Gewürztraminer wines are best enjoyed young, although select wines from exceptional vintages can age for a decade or more, developing savoury and honeyed characteristics.

Viognier, grown in France, California, and Australia

Viognier is a white wine grape variety and the most-planted white Rhone varietal in the United States. It is grown in France, California, and Australia, as well as in other parts of the world. In France, it is grown in the Rhône Valley, particularly in Condrieu and Château-Grillet, two appellations in the Northern Rhône. In California, it is grown in the cooler northern enclaves of Napa and Sonoma, as well as in Paso Robles. In Australia, it is grown in the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, with Yalumba being the country's largest producer.

Viognier produces wines with intense aromatics of peaches, apricots, and violets, as well as viscosity and lushness on the palate. The grape is difficult to grow as it is prone to diseases and has unpredictable yields. It requires a long, warm growing season and a careful balance between ripeness and overripeness to fully develop its characteristic aroma. The wine made from Viognier tends to be full-bodied, with noticeable alcohol and low acidity. It is often aged in oak and can be made in a range of styles, from dry to medium to sweet.

Viognier is also used in small proportions, typically around 5%, in some red wines, particularly in the Côte-Rôtie appellation in the Northern Rhône, where it is added to Syrah to boost mouthfeel and aroma. This technique has been copied by ambitious and experimental winemakers in other parts of the world, especially in Australia and California.

The history of Viognier is quite remarkable, having nearly disappeared in the 1960s with only a handful of acres remaining in the Northern Rhône. However, it experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to increased plantings worldwide. Today, it is found in significant quantities not only in France, California, and Australia but also in Italy, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, and other wine-producing regions.

Torrontes, grown in Argentina

Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentina, and it is the country's most widely planted white grape variety. It is a native variety, rarely planted outside of Argentina. Torrontés is a key player in the white wine production of Argentina, accounting for almost a third of the country's white wine vineyards.

There are three distinct varieties of Torrontés: Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torrontés Mendocino. These varieties are genetically very similar, but there are some noticeable differences. Torrontés Riojano and Torrontés Sanjuanino tend to have large, loose bunches of pale grapes, while Torrontés Mendocino has smaller, tighter bunches of darker yellow grapes. Torrontés Riojano is the most common variety, considered a national speciality, and is the most aromatic of the three, with aromas reminiscent of Muscat and Gewürztraminer wines. It is also the most widely planted, with plantings reaching from Jujuy in the north to Chubut in the extreme south of Argentine wine country. The Salta region in northwest Argentina is particularly noted for its Torrontés Riojano as the grape thrives in cold, dry, windswept, high-altitude conditions. The Cafayate region of Salta, on the edge of the Andes, is recognised for producing particularly great wines. The variety has large berries with thick skins and ripens early.

Torrontés wines range in style from light and fresh to heady and intensely perfumed, often expressing spicy, soapy characters and aromas of white flowers, jasmine, lychee, orange, apricot, roses, ginger, and honeysuckle. There can be some similarities with the Muscat family. Blending Torrontés with Chardonnay is a popular practice in Argentina. Torrontés is also found in sparkling, white, and dessert wines.

Torrontés is versatile when it comes to food pairings. It is perfect as a refreshing start to a meal or paired with delicate flavours such as fish and shellfish. It can also complement spicy and aromatic dishes, making it a great choice for Indian and Thai cuisine.

Muscat, one of the oldest grape varieties, grown in Germany, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Chile

Muscat, one of the oldest grape varieties, is grown in Germany, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Chile. It is also widely planted in France, particularly in the southern wine regions of Beaumes-de-Venise, Rivesaltes, and Frontignan.

Muscat is an aromatic variety of wine grape with a full body and low acidity. It is made in a variety of styles, ranging from still to sparkling, and dry to very sweet. The wines made from these grapes are meant to be consumed young and fresh, with little to no aging potential due to their low acidity. The grape is prone to mildew diseases and needs a long growing season due to its tendency to bud early and ripen relatively late, especially in cooler climates.

The Muscat family of grapes includes over 200 grape varieties belonging to the Vitis vinifera species, with colors ranging from white to yellow, pink, and near black. The grape is highly versatile and can be produced as dry, medium, sweet, sparkling, or even dessert wine. The wines produced from Muscat grapes have a distinctive floral, "grapey" aroma caused by the high concentration of monoterpenes in the grapes.

The most notable members of the Muscat family are Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, which is the primary grape variety used in the production of Italian sparkling wine Asti, and Muscat of Alexandria, which is commonly used in the production of French fortified wines. In Australia, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is the main grape used in the production of Liqueur Muscat from the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen.

Muscat wines pair well with equally aromatic and intensely flavored foods. The sparkling styles of wine go better with lighter foods like nuts, salads, and raw seafood, while the sweeter styles are better suited for cakes and cheeses.

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