Favorite Dry White

Ahhh...Spring is upon the northern hemisphere. This is the time when many wine drinkers put down the heavier reds of Southern Europe and the New World for the crisp, clean refreshment of the Worlds finer white wines (to say nothing of Rose). What is your favorite dry white wine to beat the heat?

So what are the "other" wines people are voting for? White Bx blend?

So what are the "other" wines people are voting for?

Chenin blanc.

Actually, most of the Riesling I like isn't really "dry", even though it says so on the label. Where's Thomas - haven't heard from him in a while. And Gewurtz isn't on the list. However, my favorite dry white is the one that pairs up best with what I'm eating. I like Chardonnay with chicken scallopine. I like Vouvray (Chenin) with lobster. I like Riesling with fish.

Does Champagne count for "other?"

[David M. Bueker]

I need four votes!

Incidentally, I interpreted "favourite" as "the one I would miss most were it to disappear". That resulted in a very clear choice - Riesling. Yes, I can quite understand Chenin Blanc being someone's favourite, but I am still puzzled by all the votes that "other" is getting. I seem to be missing out on something

So far, Pinot Grigio. Though I am actively expanding my base.

[James Roscoe]

I need four votes!

I'm with David on this one. I don't coun't champagne because so much of it is made with red grapes.

Bill, I voted Grüner Veltliner only because it's my favourite of the white viniferas, although Sauvignon isn't far behind. What I love about these whites in particular, and why I didn't consider Riesling in my reply, is that the former two are almost always reliably dry. Riesling seems to always get a few degrees of r.s. chucked in when you least expect it, and the nomenclature is a bit tricky as a result. 'Tis not to say that Halbtrocken Riesling can't be fantastic, as it sure can - but my preference is for laser-sharp, crystalline dryness and definition.

Other favourites of mine are dry Vidal (Ontario sees a few of these and they are always great, often throwing large tartrate deposits when placed in the fridge for a day or two), dry Niagara and dry Muscat.

Probably should have voted Riesling, but picked other for all the wonderful Italian whites widely available at great prices. If forced to pick one I'll go with Ribolla Gialla.

Sauvignon Blanc, hands down, not only because I love the nose and taste of grass and herbs, but also because it seems to be such a different drink depending on from its origin. I also like it for the same reason that I don't care for so many chardonnay's; it seems a light, refreshing counterpart to some of the heavier, more tannic reds that I tend to drink later in a meal or later in the day.

SB for the same reason Nick suggested (I love the herbacious grassiness, especially the bold ones from NZ), although I'm really starting to appreciate the versatility of Chenin Blanc, and more rieslings are starting to make their way into my repertoire.

Slightly off topic - the most interesting white I've ever tried was a 2004 Schoffit alsatian chasselas. I found more scents and tastes in that bottle than I think I've ever experienced in a white (perfume, violets, rose, basil, lavender, thyme, capsicum, petrol). I recently purchased another bottle to try at a later date and am looking foward to seeing if I have a similar experience the second time around.

I need four votes!

Me too! Pinot Gris is tops this time around followed by SB, Viognier and the white blends from S France. But then again, what are all those German rieslings doing in my cellar!!!

Historically, we buy Sauvignon Blanc year round. Summer has been seeing us just buy more. But we've also consumed rose' and champagne in the summertime.

This year, though...I've chanced on a nice 2006 Vinho Verde (Gazela) that both of us really like. It can be served ice cold...in fact, the colder it is , the better I like it. Its inexpensive, low alcohol (9%), lightly sparkling, bone dry and very refreshing on a hot day. I've purchased 2 cases so far.

Richard

There's no button for ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Looking over the list, I realize that I'd really miss every one of the varietals on the list (well, OK, except for maybe the Sylvaner!) I have definite preferences on reds, but for whites, I realize I'm totally omnivorous. I voted for Chardonnay, because one of my greatest 'wine moments' was the first time I tasted a grand cru Burgundy, and because no one had voted for Chardonnay yet.

I consistently enjoy Sauvignon Blanc (Farella-Park, Eliabeth Spencer, Mason Cellars). I have only one bottle of French Sancerre in my cellar-and I need to try it. It's my birthday tomorrow, and I want SUSHI, so Sancerre might be nice!

Despite the heat of the vintage (15%), I was really impressed by the 2003 Chateau Boswell Chardonnay on Saturday. Pricey and alcoholic, but absolutely beautiful and refreshing in every other way. If more chardonnays were like that one, my favorite might change.

Finally, the bone dry minerality of Tocai Friulano was pretty enjoyable.

I voted Sauvignon because although I prefer Rieslings, I usually like the Spatlese or Auslese or Eiswein best--not the dryest examples. And S.B. more easily pleases me than Chardonnay. Now if I were comparing some of the best white Burgundy I've ever tasted to S.B., Chardonnay would be the winner. But those top white Burgundies don't grace my table very often while S.B. does--particularly in warm weather. Just finished a nice Roland Tissier et Fils Sancerre last weekend.

If I had to vote on the ones listed it would be Chardonnay but only from Chablis and unoaked parts of Burgundy. My real vote goes with Rahsaan and Chenin Blanc.

Walt

If you are talking in general, then my favorites are the whites (blend) produced by R Lopez de Heredia. I could never get bored of them.

If you are talking about warm weather specifically, I drink a lot of Vinho Verde come Summer.

If you are talking in general, then my favorites are the whites (blend) produced by R Lopez de Heredia. I could never get bored of them.

Oh, yeah! Those are some of the most fascinating whites out there, and pretty reasonably priced too.

I think you forgot one.

Burgundy

I would never vote "Chardonnay" but my answer is white Burgundy.

Tom T.

Southern French Blends- Rousanne/Marsanne

I think you forgot one.

Burgundy

I would never vote "Chardonnay" but my answer is white Burgundy.

Tom T.

I agree, Chardonnay is only a wine in few countries. I do not drink chardonnay but frequently enjoy wines made from Chardonnay, Chablis, some white Burgs and Blanc du Blanc. The question shouild inquire about favorite grape, not wine. You would then have a bigger problem.
Walt