A Short Lesson on Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, and Sauvignon BlancI’ve researched Associated Content and have found that many individuals write articles about a specific Chardonnay or a specific Pinot Grigio, and never have really spoken of the grape itself except maybe briefly. Whether they did not find this important or this may not have been the  essence of their story I think it is something everyone should know more about. If you know more about the grape then you will know more about the wine. Its almost as if this article is a prequel to all other mentioning various wines. Before we get started you must realize I do not want to overload your brain with information on substantial amounts of grapes. However, I will list 5 of the most common grapes that produce the most popular white wines so that these will be easy to remember. If you read my first article about How To Sound Like A Wine Connoisseur I gave you some basic terms to understand when reading the back of a wine bottle to get a better understanding of all the fancy words and then integrate them into conversation. Here I am going to do the same except we are going to get a little more in depth about each categorized wine and grape. It will not only help you sound like a Connoisseur, but you can pass it on to your friends that either enjoy or want to enjoy the fascination of wine.Chardonnay: The most popular grape grown in the United States is Chardonnay which is a green skinned grape. You will find most Chardonnay wines to have an aroma of tropical fruits, apples or pears, and even occasionally lemons. To find out how each Chardonnay differentiates there are three main terms that are used when describing Chardonnay; Crisp, Desserts, Fruit Driven, and Rich and Complex.Crisp: If you are not a fan of oaky flavors then Crisp is the way to go. Although the driest of Chardonnays there are only minimal hints of oak if any at all. These particular grapes are produced in cooler climates to give off a more citrus flavor than others.

Pairing Up Your Wine with Your MealRely on your instincts when matching up wine with your food. If you pick a wine that you would drink all by itself, you’ll pick a winner. The rule of thumb is to pick a good wine, regardless of what you’re eating. That way, if your meal is less-than-great, you still have a good wine. White wines used to all be fruity and light. Red wines, heavy. Today, though, the typically light chardonnays can be surprisingly fuller-bodied than even some cabernets.  Red wines differ from whites in two main ways. Many red wines have tannins while whites rarely do. Both wines can have spicy, earthy, floral, or buttery qualities. Apple, citrus, and pear flavors seldom are found in reds. Reds instead are likely to have cherry, red grape, or currant flavors. If you focus more on the wine’s size and weight, the lightest at one end and fuller-bodied on the other, you will do better when pairing up your wine with what’s for dinner. Generally, choose a light wine to compliment a light meal and reversely, a heavier wine with a heavier meal.Heartier meals call for heartier wine. Lighter food gives you more leeway. Lighter wine will balance everything out nicely, but when eating hearty food, the light wine will seem bland. Contrary to popular belief, anything tastes fine after a sip of a heavyweight wine, so with this type, it is safe to say you will be pleased.Feel free to experiment and make your own matches. Obviously what one person likes is not true for the next person. Start with traditional choices and then expand your horizons a little by trying other matches. For example, if you usually pair Burgundy or Pinot Noir with your roast beef, try Barbera instead. All three of these wines compliment roast beef well because of their similar texture and richness.Some wine drinkers think that off-dry wine is too sweet and ruins a good meal. How many of us drink lemonade, soda, or sweetened iced tea with our dinner? Off-dry wine is no different. As long as there is an adequate balance between sugar and natural acidity, the match can work. A sweet dessert wine, Sauternes, works because of its richness.