Summer is well and truly around the corner now, so I thought I'd look at some refreshing choices for the hot weather. The range of white wines available on Taiwan shelves is slowly improving although more than 90% of wine sold in Taiwan is still red. Given the climate and local love of seafood, this for me is pretty odd. So here are a couple of refreshing white options you should be able to track down in Taiwan.
Ironically, a lot of the most refreshing summer wine styles come from cooler growing areas where the grapes retain a higher level of acidity. One of the classic areas that is a firm favourite with wine industry professionals--but has been unfashionable in recent times--is German Riesling. There are two main areas for growing top-quality Riesling in Germany, the Rheingau and Mosel.
If you are new to these wines, I'd look for a good-quality Mosel wine for summer as they tend to be more delicate, lighter in style, but full-flavoured with lemon/lime sherbert notes and typically a light, floral, citrus aroma. Perfect for a hot day. They also are usually quite low in alcohol, around the 7-10% range, which makes them great lunch time wines, too!
My second suggestion is from across the border in France. There are two small regions which both produce stunning Sauvignon Blanc--Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. These are both available in good wines stores in Taiwan and, being Sauvignon Blanc, I think both are best drunk young and fresh. Vibrant grassy, gooseberry flavours dominate these wines and they tend to be a little fuller and rounder than their well-known New Zealand counterparts.
If you're a fan of New Zealand Sauvignon, give these a go for comparison. Try out Domaine Vacheron Sancerre if you can find it.
One last suggestion regarding a personal favourite that is hard to find: If you are able to locate them, wines from Jurancon in the South-West of France offer fantastic value and are very underrated. Look out for Domaine Cauhape Jurancon Sec (dry) with its ripe grapefruit character.
Happy hunting!
Kris
kris@wineconnection.co.nz
0916-222-336 |
April 2013
