Q: Roger H. from Margate asks, “If nobody is around to help me select white wine, what can I discern from the label itself?”
A: This is a pretty big topic, as the labels of white wines from various regions will interact different info. If you’re interested in a bolder, more fruit-driven bottle, I ‘d suggest gravitating towards white wines from the New World (regions including North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa). Wines from these areas will normally position emphasis on the grape varietal and manufacturer, and they usually do not shy away from vibrant flavor expressions. If you understand you love a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or a rich, oaky Chardonnay, for instance, have a look at the California white wine selection.If you ‘d like something a bit more subtle and earth-driven, I ‘d suggest wines from the Old World(France, Italy, and other European areas). Old World white wine labels can be a bit challenging, so here are some basic points to get you started. French whites from the Burgundy area (or Bourgogne )are Chardonnay, and reds from Burgundy are Pinot Noir. White wines from Bordeaux are usually blends, with Sauvignon Blanc as the main varietal in whites, and Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot as the main varietal in reds. With Italian wines, search for the “DOC “or”DOCG “band around the neck of the bottle. This verifies that the red wine is from a designated production area, and also that it fulfills a specific requirement of quality.