1. WHITE MATURE & FRUITY
What are mature and fruity white wines exactly? Do they taste of passion fruit, yellow apple, lychee, mango, banana, or even smoked ham and vanilla?First, let me point out that mature and fruity wines often come from warm regions. Think of the French Languedoc and Spanish, Chilean and South African wine regions. These wines obviously show characteristics of certain grape varieties: full and fruity white wines often contain less acids than fresh and fruity white wines. They go perfectly with meals, but also do well at parties and barbecues. Mind you, they have to be served chilled at about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius
White mature and fruity mango temperature apricot yellow apple cedar lychee peach fig toast vanilla clove banana smoked ham passion fruit
What are mature and fruity white wines exactly? Do they taste of passion fruit, yellow apple, lychee, mango, banana, or even smoked ham and vanilla? First, let me point out that mature and fruity wines often come from warm regions. Think of the French Languedoc and Spanish, Chilean and South African wine regions. These wines obviously show characteristics of certain grape varieties: full and fruity white wines often contain less acids than fresh and fruity white wines. They go perfectly with meals, but also do well at parties and barbecues. Mind you, they have to be served chilled at about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.

2. WINE REGIONS
While warm wine regions can be found on almost any continent, nowadays the vilification method and modern techniques of the wineries are what gives wines their full fruity flavor. Just like with all other wines, the winemaker has a wide range of possibilities, for instance vilification techniques, but the type of yeast that is used also plays an important role.
However, each grape also has its own characteristics depending on the climate, which good winemakers will respect. I am happy to guide you through the primary wine regions and the different grape varieties in the subsequent chapters. This chapter will deal with the regions and characteristics of the six most important grape varieties used to make full and fruity wines.
La Mancha Burgundy Rioja Barolo Mendoza California Vienna Alsace Lanquedoc Stellenbosch Portugal Barossa
While warm wine regions can be found on almost any continent, nowadays the vinification method and modern techniques of the wineries are what gives wines their full fruity flavour. Just like with all other wines, the winemaker has a wide range of possibilities, for instance vinification techniques, but the type of yeast that is used also plays an important role. However, each grape also has its own characteristics depending on the climate, which good winemakers will respect. I am happy to guide you through the primary wine regions and the different grape varieties in the subsequent chapters. This chapter will deal with the regions and characteristics of the six most important grape varieties used to make full and fruity wines.

3. CHARDONNAY
As you already know, Chardonnay is versatile: it is the chameleon of grapes. Here, we will discuss modern Chardonnays that are full of firm, mature fruit and sometimes have a whiff of vanilla. Vanilla is a smell that you will find in wines that have wood aged.
As you already know, Chardonnay is versatile: it is the chameleon of grapes. Here, we will discuss modern Chardonnays that are full of firm, mature fruit and sometimes have a whiff of vanilla. Vanilla is a smell that you will find in wines that have wood aged.

4. WOOD
You would think wood and wine are inseparable. The wood adds scents to the wine that slowly blend with the aromas already present. Nevertheless, a balance should be created:
if the wine is left in a wooden barrel for too long, the wood will take over the original aromas of the wine. That is why most wines will not age in wooden barrels; the warm aromas are created by the warm climate and the grape itself.
You would think wood and wine are inseparable. The wood adds scents to the wine that slowly blend with the aromas already present. Nevertheless, a balance should be created: if the wine is left in a wooden barrel for too long, the wood will take over the original aromas of the wine. That is why most wines will not age in wooden barrels; the warm aromas are created by the warm climate and the grape itself.

5. GEWÜRZTRAMINER
Gewürztraminer, the typically Alsatian grape, is used to make a wine that goes perfectly with Indian dishes, Thai curry or Chinese (Sichuan) cuisine. The Gewürztraminer’s intense spiciness creates a nice balance with the strong flavors from these Eastern cuisines. Gewürztraminer also goes well with traditional dishes such as pâté, lobster with creamy sauce and spicy fish dishes.
But this perfumed stunner is not only found in the Alsace: winemakers all over the world are trying to make a classy Gewürztraminer.
Gewürztraminer, the typically Alsatian grape, is used to make a wine that goes perfectly with Indian dishes, Thai curry or Chinese (Sichuan) cuisine. The Gewürztraminer’s intense spiciness creates a nice balance with the strong flavours from these Eastern cuisines. Gewürztraminer also goes well with traditional dishes such as pâté, lobster with creamy sauce and spicy fish dishes.
But this perfumed stunner is not only found in the Alsace: winemakers all over the world are trying to make a classy Gewürztraminer.

6. PINOT GRIS
Pinot Gris exists in several styles; from bone dry to decadently sweet and with aromas of melon, yellow apple, clove, honey and ham. Pinot Gris contains a lot of natural sugars and little acid.
The best Pinot Gris comes from relatively cool regions, such as the French Alsace and the north of Italy.
In Italy, this grape is called Pino Grigio.
The Pinot Gris often creates a heavy, fat, full wine with a spicy character.
In the French Alsace, this grape was also called Tokay Pinot Gris.
Nowadays, this name is no longer used, in order to avoid confusion with the Hungarian dessert wine Tokaji.
Pinot Gris exists in several styles; from bone dry to decadently sweet and with aromas of melon, yellow apple, clove, honey and ham. Pinot Gris contains a lot of natural sugars and little acid.
The best Pinot Gris comes from relatively cool regions, such as the French Alsace and the north of Italy.
In Italy, this grape is called Pino Grigio.
The Pinot Gris often creates a heavy, fat, full wine with a spicy character.
In the French Alsace, this grape was also called Tokay Pinot Gris.
Nowadays, this name is no longer used, in order to avoid confusion with the Hungarian dessert wine Tokaji.

7. PINOT BLANC
Pinot Blanc should also be included here. It is famously from the Alsace and has many faces.
In the northern Italian region of South Tyrol (‘Alto Adige’ in Italian) a lot of Pinot Bianco wine is made, often in the same style as fresh Chardonnay.
Germans call this grape variety Weißburgunder and sometimes pour the juice into oak barrels to make it into fatty Chardonnay-like wines.
In Burgenland in Austria, winemakers like to leave the grape hanging on its vines for as long as possible. The overripe grapes are then made into enjoyably sweet Prädikatsweinen such as Spätlese or Beerenauslese.
Pinot Blanc should also be included here.
It is famously from the Alsace and has many faces.
In the northern Italian region of South Tyrol (‘Alto Adige’ in Italian) a lot of Pinot Bianco wine is made, often in the same style as fresh Chardonnay.
Germans call this grape variety Weißburgunder and sometimes pour the juice into oak barrels to make it into fatty Chardonnay-like wines.
In Burgenland in Austria, winemakers like to leave the grape hanging on its vines for as long as possible.
The overripe grapes are then made into enjoyably sweet Prädikatsweinen such as Spätlese or Beerenauslese.

8. MUSCAT
Muscat grapes can provide aromas of apple, lychee, citrus fruit and… grape.
This is exceptional, since wines rarely smell of grapes.
The name ‘Muscat’ is slightly confusing, because it is the general name for several varieties. Synonyms for the Muscat grape in Spanish, Italian, and German respectively are Moscatel, Moscato and Muskateller.
Muscat grapes are used to make sweet as well as dry wines.
In case of sweet wines, this is done by fortification (more about this can be found in chapter 11). Straw wines made from dried grapes are of a different class, such as the Moscato from the South Italian island of Pantelleria. A completely different type, also Italian, is the sparkling Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont with its low alcohol percentage.
Muscat grapes can provide aromas of apple, lychee, citrus fruit and… grape.
This is exceptional, since wines rarely smell of grapes.
The name ‘Muscat’ is slightly confusing, because it is the general name for several varieties.
Synonyms for the Muscat grape in Spanish, Italian, and German respectively are Moscatel, Moscato and Muskateller.
Muscat grapes are used to make sweet as well as dry wines.
In case of sweet wines, this is done by fortification (more about this can be found in chapter 11).
Straw wines made from dried grapes are of a different class, such as the Moscato from the South Italian island of Pantelleria.
A completely different type, also Italian, is the sparkling Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont with its low alcohol percentage.
The dry Muscats by, for example, Miguel Torres from Spain are becoming increasingly popular.

9. VIOGNIER
The Viognier grape is becoming ever more popular and is taking over other white grape varieties in terms of popularity. Up until recently, Viognier was only planted in the northernmost Rhône region (Condrieu),
but nowadays it can be found in many more regions. It is planted quite extensively in Languedoc, Chile and California. Viognier has quite a lot of body and alcohol, but little acids. Its smell reminds us of white fruit, peach, apricot and honey. Viognier wines can be delicate and round with a lot of ripe white fruit.
The Viognier grape is becoming ever more popular and is taking over other white grape varieties in terms of popularity.
Up until recently, Viognier was only planted in the northernmost Rhône region (Condrieu), but nowadays it can be found in many more regions.
It is planted quite extensively in Languedoc, Chile and California.
Viognier has quite a lot of body and alcohol, but little acids.
Its smell reminds us of white fruit, peach, apricot and honey.
Viognier wines can be delicate and round with a lot of ripe white fruit.

10. THE END
In this chapter, I gave you an overview of the primary white grape varieties used to make full and mature fruity white wines.
Obviously, there are many other grape varieties that fit this profile. Keep looking for your own style and experience your own taste; you will discover more exclusive varieties as you go!
In this chapter, I gave you an overview of the primary white grape varieties used to make full and mature fruity white wines.
Obviously, there are many other grape varieties that fit this profile.
So keep looking for your own style and experience your own taste; you will discover more exclusive varieties as you go!
White mature and fruity mango temperature apricot yellow apple cedar lychee peach fig toast vanilla clove banana smoked ham passion fruit