What distinguishes white wines from red wines or rosé wines are the essential aromas and sensations perceived in the mouth. The white wine then turns out to be fresh, light and subtle, and presents flavors very appreciated by the finest palates. Focus on the aromas of white wine .
The color of white wines
Before focusing on the aromas of white wine, let's start by analyzing the color of white wines . Offering pretty shades of yellow, from the palest to the darkest, the color is also reflected in its limpidity, its brilliance, and even its viscosity.
And if this type of wine has a range of colors ranging from pale yellow to straw yellow , it is thanks to the white grape variety used for its winemaking, in other words, the white fruit varieties. In fact, white wines, like red wines, obtain their beautiful color thanks to the coloring pigments (anthocyanins) contained in the grape skin. And as white wine is made from white grapes , the wine takes on a pretty yellow color.
How to distinguish the aromas of white wines?
Throughout the tasting, the wine releases different aromas, each coming from the terroir, the grape variety, the winemaking technique, or even the wine's aging process. These aromas are revealed at different stages of the tasting.
Olfactory analysis of white wine
The olfactory examination makes it possible to identify the nose of the white wine , thanks to the phenomenon of retro-olfaction. Even before putting the wine in the mouth, the sense of smell can already guide us and deliver the bouquet of the wine through 2 stages:
- The first nose : this first step consists of smelling the wine in the glass, even before shaking it. It allows you to discover any faults in the wine , such as a cork taste or a smell of vinegar;
- The second nose : this second step consists of shaking the wine in the glass, to aerate it and release the aromas. On the second nose, the olfactory analysis already allows us to identify the origins of the wine (grape variety, wine region, winemaking method, etc.).
What the nose of white wine can reveal
Firstly, the olfactory analysis of a white wine can tell you whether the wine is closed or open . We speak of a closed wine when, upon first nose, we do not discover any striking aroma. The wine seems bland and featureless, very little expressive. This can then tell you that white wine is in a so-called transitional phase of its evolution. The best is then to help it evolve, with aeration in a carafe .
Taste analysis of white wine
Once you have carried out the olfactory examination of the wine, you can move on to the taste examination , to discover the taste of the white wine . From the first sips, the taste buds will capture the different sensations: first the sweetness, then the acidity, and finally the bitterness.
It is then important to swirl the wine in the mouth to be able to cover all of the taste buds, and thus receive all the tactile sensations, such as the consistency or temperature of the wine.
The different aromas of white wines
White wine can reveal 3 families of aromas , perceptible at different times during tasting: primary aromas, secondary aromas, and tertiary aromas.
The primary aromas of white wine
The primary aromas , or varietal aromas, of white wine are grape variety aromas that come from the variety of white grape berries:
- Floral aromas (hawthorn, acacia, jasmine, etc.);
- Plant aromas (fern, ivy, fennel, mint, cat pee, aromatic herbs, etc.);
- Fruity aromas (apple, apricot, exotic fruits, banana, yellow fruits, red fruits, black fruits, etc.).
Secondary aromas of white wine
Coming from the vinification method, the secondary aromas of white wine are also very varied:
- Fermentative aromas (bread crumbs, yeast, brioche, etc.);
- Milky flavors (fresh butter, milk, yogurt, etc.);
- Amylic flavors (nail polish, banana, English candy, etc.).
Tertiary aromas of white wine
The tertiary aromas of white wine are born during the aging of the wine, and are available in 3 categories of flavors:
- Floral notes and fruity notes (dried flowers, dried fruits, white flowers, etc.):
- Sweet confectionery notes (praline, honey, almond paste, etc.);
- Woody notes and balsamic aromas (oak, cedar, pine, vanilla...).
The aromas of our white wines
If you like the freshness and typical aromas of white wines , discover the aromatic palette of whites from the wine-growing regions of Provence , with our different high-quality vintages.
- White inspiration 2019 - AOP Côtes de Provence: aromas of white fruits and citrus fruits, as well as notes of pear and peach;
- Terres de Berne white 2020 - AOP Côtes de Provence: fruity aromas of pear, lemon and liquorice;
- Château de Berne Grande Cuvée white 2017 - AOP Côtes de Provence: gourmet aromas of milk bread, pineapple juice, grilled hazelnut and licorice stick;
- Le Pigeonnier blanc 2021 - AOP Côtes de Provence: mineral citrus aromas;
- Ultimate Provence white 2021 - AOP Côtes de Provence: intense notes of lemon, pepper and ginger;
- Château des Bertrands white 2019 - AOP Côtes de Provence: fresh notes of white-fleshed fruits and white pepper.
For everything you need to know about white wine, click here!
Do you like the freshness of white wines? Discover all the typical aromas of our southern vintages by visiting the online wine sales store of our estates .
