level: White Grapes - Descriptions
Questions and Answers List
Preferred climate, characteristics and flavor profile of white grapes
level questions: White Grapes - Descriptions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airen | Most planted variety; drought, insect and disease resistant; neutral and moderately acidic wine |
| Alarije | Thick-skinned and late ripening; prone to fungal disease; prone to oxidation; well suited to oak. |
| Albarino | Thick-skinned but mildew can be a problem; wines are mineral with bright acidty, floral aromatics and flavors of peach, apricot and grapefruit |
| Albillo Mayor | Disease-resistent, low yielding; thin-skinned and prone to sunburn; wines are aromatic, low in acid and high in alcohol |
| Albillo Real | Does well in hot, dry areas with sandy soils; thin skinned and buds early; wines fairly neutral but have heavy mouthfeel |
| Cayetana Blanca | Drought resistant and productive; thrives in warm growing conditions and sandy soil; wines moderate in alcohol and acidity and neutral in aroma and flavor |
| Corbou Blanc | One of three grapes called Hondarribi Zuri, which means "white from Hondarribi" |
| Dona Blanca | Prefers warm growing conditions, but must be harvested before acids drop; wines offer complex aromatics of acacia, laurel, citrus and stone fruit. |
| Doradilla | (NOT DORADILLO) Wines are full bodied and highly aromatic with notes of pear, citrus peel and almond, saline character to its racy acidity. |
| Forastera Blanca | (NOT DORADILLO) Wines are full bodied and highly aromatic with notes of pear, citrus peel and almond, saline character to its racy acidity. |
| Garnacha Blanca | Color mutation of Garnacha Tinta, but buds later and ripens earlier; wines high alcohol, moderately low acid, prone to oxidation. |
| Godello | High-quality, aromatic variety often compared to Chardonnay; wines full bodied, ample alcohol, good acid and hold up well to barrel aging. |
| Hondarribi Zuri | Three white grapes from Hondarribi: Courbu Blanc, Crouchen, Noah |
| Lairen | Productive and drought resistant, especially in clay soils; wines high in alcohol and acidity. |
| Listan Blanco | Thin skinned and thrives in Andalucia's albariza soil; productive vine; wine low in acid and aromatics. |
| Macabeo | Late to bud and ripen, does best in hot, dry growing conditions; resistant to oxidation; adds softness and perfume to Cava. |
| Malvar | Productive and drought resistant, especially in clay soils; wines high in alcohol and acidity. |
| Malvasia Aromatica | Ripens early; wines are highly aromatic, medium to full bodied with moderate acidity; used to produce vinos dulces. |
| Malvasia de Lanzarote | Early ripening and resistant to pests and diseases; wines full-bodied and low in acidity with notes of citrus and tropical fruit |
| Moscatel de Alejandria | Likes warm areas, ripens late so warm autumn essential; makes dessert wines with exotic aromas of orange blossom and rose petals |
| Mostatel de Gran Menudo | Ripens to high sugar, extract and acid levels; wines are vibrant, aromatic with hints of raisin, honey, peach, apricot, mango, orange blossom and musk |
| Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains | Ripens to high sugar, extract and acid levels; wines are vibrant, aromatic with hints of raisin, honey, peach, apricot, mango, orange blossom and musk |
| Palamino Fino | Thin skinned and thrives in Andalucia's albariza soil; productive vine; wine low in acid and aromatics. |
| Pansa Blanca | High yielding, yet ripens high-acid, high-extract fruit with high sugar; delivers structure and flavors of herbs and citrus to Cava and still wines |
| Pardina | Drought resistant and productive; thrives in warm growing conditions and sandy soil; wines moderate in alcohol and acidity and neutral in aroma and flavor |
| Parellada | Early budding, very late ripening, low in alcohol; brings finesse and lemony freshness to Cava blend |
| Pedro Ximenez | Productive, thick skinned grape susceptible to rot and mildew; makes rich, luscious fortified wines, low in acidity, moderately high in alcohol and often viscous |
| Picapoll Blanco | (NOT PIQUEPOUL) Closely related to France's Clairette Blanche |
| Prensal Blanc | Productive vine that produces wines with low acidity that are prone to oxidation |
| Siria | Prefers warm growing conditions, but must be harvested before acids drop; wines offer complex aromatics of acacia, laurel, citrus and stone fruit. |
| Treixadura | Vigorous and productive, thin skinned and susceptible to rot and mildew; wines display citrus and stone fruite aromatics; often blended |
| Verdejo | Not vigorous; it is drought-resistant, but susceptible to mildew; wines have moderately high levels of acidity and alcohol and bay leaf aroma |
| Vijiriego | Productive, vigorous and disease resistant; wines are fresh, low alcohol, high acid |
| Viura | Late to bud and ripen, does best in hot, dry growing conditions; resistant to oxidation; adds softness and perfume to Cava. |
| Xarel.lo | High yielding, yet ripens high-acid, high-extract fruit with high sugar; delivers structure and flavors of herbs and citrus to Cava and still wines |
| Zalema | Vigorous, productive and drought resistant; wines fairly neutral with hints of almonds and prone to oxidation |