While conventional thinking associates white wine with summer temperatures and lighter fare, there are many white grape varieties that can stand up to a fall or winter menu selection, and plenty of dishes can benefit from their crisp, creamy or spicy characteristics. Here, some of our favorite local wine shop owners and staff give their personal winter white recommendations.
Ardoa Wine Bar, Mount Pleasant, SC
Abigail Badut, Co-Owner
ardoawinebar.com
Amity White Pinot Noir 2018
Mature vines grown in the Willamette Valley in Oregon yield a full-flavored wine with rich tannins. Honeydew and apple notes with medium acidity make this a perfect pairing with pasta dishes, pizza, creamy soups and Gruyère cheese.
Samuel Baron Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Domain Baron was one of the first vineyards to plant sauvignon blanc in Touraine, France. This wine has a great minerality with grassy notes. It is crisp with deep acidity and a fresh fruit finish. Drink this with spicy and Thai dishes, fried chicken, roasted lamb and goat cheese.
Roblar Chardonnay 2017
These grapes are grown in Santa Rita Hills, California, in white sandy soil close to the ocean. It is aged in French oak barrels which gives it a nice complexity. It is full-bodied with fresh tropical fruit flavors and a long fruit finish. A nice complement to pork and veal dishes, vegetable soups and Gouda cheese.
Bin 526, Daniel Island, SC
Michael Crotty, Events Director
bin526.com
Chardonnay, DAOU 2018
Paso Robles is located in the central coast of California, where a distinctive micro-climate makes for warm afternoons and cool, salty, ocean breezes at night. While some chardonnays can be buttery and acidic, this particular one exhibits flavors of lemon custard, caramel, apple pie, toffee and honeysuckle. Try it with rich fish (like tuna or salmon), poultry and vegetarian dishes.
Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs Brut 2015
The grapes of this sparkling pinot noir and chardonnay blend are sourced from cool-climate vineyards throughout the northern coast of California. Fruits, bakery notes, toast, nutty almond and creamy Limoncello make this effervescent wine a perfect first glass during cooler months. Best paired with appetizers and shellfish.
Doleas Albariño, Lagar de Costa 2017
Hailing from Galicia in northern Spain, these albariño grapes benefit from Atlantic Ocean breezes, sandy soil and gravel terrain. It’s a very aromatic wine with a flavor profile that includes stone fruits, vegetal notes, bright fruit, floral, minerality, salinity and slightly bitter. A glass pairs perfectly with pasta and lean seafood, but is also highly recommended for holiday dishes – especially white meats and lamb. Try it with winter squash, ginger and pomegranate.
Rudi’s Old Village Wine Shop, Mount Pleasant, SC
Rodolfo Barbieri, Owner
oldvillagedistrict.com/rudis-old-village-wine-shop-2
Arneis, Tenaglia
When it comes to pairing white with earthier dishes, Barbieri suggests arneis, a white-wine variety grown in the high hills in the Piedmont region in northern Italy. Once close to extinction, it is now accessible in the United States. The wine has a floral and crisp aroma followed by hints of hazelnut and apricot. Due to its crispness, this wine pairs perfectly with truffle-based or mushroom-related dishes.
Falangina, Feudi di San Gregorio
A signature grape of Campania, Italy, it is sourced from a tiny village near Mount Vesuvius. This wine’s crispness is due to many factors, one being the altitude at which the grapes are cultivated. Higher-elevation wines tend to be more crisp and tannic versus lower-altitude wines that are usually more fruit-oriented and smooth. This hay-colored wine has a high floral aroma, great crispness and is tingly in the mouth. Pair it with game such as venison or duck, as well as dry cheeses.
By Pamela Jouan
