The benchmarks: white wines

In episode 133, we answer a question from a student: which wines are benchmarks and demonstrate typical expressions of a style or grape variety? In other words: which wines should you taste for an exam? We chat about it for another half hour and give our top tips.

Note: these are typical expressions and well-made wines that will help you with the exam. We've created other podcasts about our favorites (I'm referring to Piedmont, Jura, Jerez, Champagne, Burgundy, and so on).

Listen to episode 133 on Spotify

Chardonnay

Chardonnay has many faces. We've listed some typical styles:

Jacob's Creek – available at Albert Heijn
Steamed from Chablis – available at Les Généreux
Jean Chartron Hautes Côtes de Beaune – Les Généreux
Soufrandise Clos Marie – Les Généreux
Bernardus California – Bovino
Bread & Butter California – Value Wines
Revelation Chardonnay Languedoc – Les Généreux

Gewurztraminer

Always aromatic. Try an Alsatian wine like:

Fernand Engel
Trimbach

Muscat

Floral, like Gewürztraminer. Recommendations:

Trimbach
Domaine de l'Arjolle from the South of France (dry)

Riesling

From bone-dry to full-bodied and sometimes sweet. Typical examples:

Moselle: Clemens Busch, Karthauserhof, Markus Molitor, Dr. Loosen
Rheinhessen: Thörle
Pfalz: Von Buhl, Von Winning
Rheingau: Schloss Johannisberg, Leitz
Alsace: Trimbach, Hugel, Fernand Engel
Austria: Nikolaihof, Loimer
Australia: Pikes, Pewsey Vale

Sauvignon Blanc

Cloudy Bay (New Zealand)
Henri Bourgeois (Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé)
Errázuriz, Leyda (Chile)
White Bordeaux: Lassalle

Chenin blanc

Loire: Baumard, Chidaine, Huet
South Africa: Mullineux, Badenhorst

Pinot Blanc

Alsace: Engel, Trimbach (Les Généreux)
Alto Adige: Eisacktal (Les Généreux)

Viognier

Yves Cuilleron – via Vinites
Gassier – The Generous

Albariño

Martin Códax – via Vinites (Bovino)
Pazo de Seroñans – via Pallas Wines (Perfect Wine)
Vinho verde from Soalheiro (Portugal)

Pinot Gris

Alsace: Engel, Trimbach (Les Généreux)
Alto Adige: Eisacktal (Les Généreux)
Possibly a supermarket Pinot Gris

Book tip

In the podcast, we reference Nick Jackson's book "Beyond Flavor" several times. It was my go-to book while studying for the WSET4 D3 exam.