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Earth & Wine

Grüner Veltliner vs Chenin Blanc: Distinctive White Wines

Chenin Blanc vs Grüner Veltliner makes sense when you taste them separately. They’re both fresh white wines. Grüner Veltliner is a dry, lean, citrus-driven white wine with high acid. Chenin Blanc has lower acid with pear and melon and less intensity. Grüner is dry; Chenin Blanc can be dry to sweet. TL;DR: These are very […]

Viognier vs Vouvray: What You Need to Know

Viognier vs Vouvray can often get confused because of their similar sounding names. Viognier is fuller-bodied, lower in acid, and more aromatic than Vouvray. Vouvray is made from Chenin Blanc grapes in the Vouvray appelation of the Loire Valley, France. Viognier tastes like fruit cocktail. Vouvray can come in a range of styles, from dry […]

Viognier vs Chenin Blanc: What You Need to Know

Characteristics Viognier Chenin Blanc Hue Pale Lemon to gold Pale lemon to deep gold Color White White Aromas Apricot, peach, floral Green apple, pear, honey Sweetness Dry to off-dry Dry to sweet Acid Low to Medium Medium to High Alcohol (%) 12-14% 12-14% Body Full Light to medium Intensity Moderate to pronounced Moderate Key Growing […]

Exploring Chenin Blanc: Tasting Notes

Chenin Blanc may not be as famous as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, but its flavor profile never fails to entice. A typical tasting note for Chenin Blanc has citrus, pear, stone fruit, and blossom, with a light body, bright acid, and medium alcohol. Chenin Blanc makes dry, off-dry, and sparkling white wines. Read wine labels […]

Chenin Blanc vs Riesling: Which Is Better?

Both Chenin Blanc and Riesling make delicious white wines, but they’re definitely distinctive Riesling is more aromatic than Chenin Blanc, with peach, citrus, and maybe even petrol. Chenin Blanc has pear, tropical fruit, flowers, honey, and a waxy note. Both Riesling and Chenin Blanc make dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Riesling has the ability […]

17 Cold Appetizers For White Wine Tasting

What Appetizers Pair Well with White Wine? The best cold appetizers for your white wine tasting will deliver fat and salt. Fat softens wine’s acid and salt will make your wine seem fruitier. High acid foods pair well with high acid white wines, like vinegar dressings and Sauvignon Blanc. The two complement each other. Helpful […]

Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay: Which Is Better?

Both Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are classic French white wines, but just what sets them apart? Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay produce dry white wines. Chenin Blanc is versatile, offering off-dry and dessert options, with higher acid, lighter body, and intense aromas of pear, melon, and quince. Chardonnay, softer in acid and heavier-bodied, exhibits citrus, apple, […]

Chenin Blanc vs Sauvignon Blanc: Which Is Better?

Both Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc make friendly, easy-drinking white wines. But what’s the difference when comparing Chenin Blanc vs Sauvignon Blanc? Chenin Blanc offers various wine styles, from dry to dessert, expressing pear, melon, and citrus with a light body. Sauvignon Blanc, from the Loire, creates aromatic dry wines with gooseberry, passionfruit, and citrus […]

How to Tell If Wine Is Sweet (Before You Buy)

New wine drinkers are often inducted into the world of vino via sweet wine. This begs the question: How do you know if a wine is sweet? Read the label for terms like ‘off-dry’ or a sweetness scale. Alcohol levels below 11% ABV indicate some sugar. Sweetness is measured in g/l (grams of sugar per […]