Encyclopedia · White grape
High pyrazine and thiol expression. Site and winemaking determine whether the herbal or tropical register dominates, but bright acid and an aromatic top note are constants across all regions.
Acidity high · Alcohol med · RS bone dry
Climate Cool continental. Flint, limestone, and chalk soils (silex, calcaires, terres blanches).
Style Stainless or neutral oak. No MLF. Pure varietal expression, terroir-driven.
Tell Cut grass, grapefruit pith, jalapeño, gunflint minerality
Climate Cool continental. Kimmeridgian limestone and silex soils.
Style Mostly unoaked. Silex sites add smoke mineral lift. Rounder than Sancerre.
Tell Flint and smoke mineral, white peach, citrus, rounder acid weight
Climate Maritime influenced. Gravel and sand over clay. Warmer than Loire.
Style Barrel-fermented. Blended with Sémillon. MLF common. Oak-driven texture.
Tell Grapefruit zest through oak, white peach, vanilla, waxy roundness, herb finish
Climate Cool maritime. Wairau and Awatere valleys. Strong UV, cold nights.
Style Stainless steel. No MLF. High-acid, aromatic, thiol-forward. Fast to market.
Tell Passionfruit, cut grass, gooseberry, vivid lime acidity, green herb lift
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