- Verdicchio is a white grape variety that hails from the Marche region of Italy. It produces wines that are fresh, crisp, and nutty, with bags of citrus and green apple. Bright and fresh with high acid and layers of minerality, it is an excellent pairing for seafood, specifically shellfish. A great alternative for those who cant get out of their Sauvignon Blanc rut.
Flavour Profile: Light to medium-bodied, citrus, green apple, mineral, refreshing acidity.
Top Pick: Ca'Liptra, Kypra, 2022
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Jacquère
A white grape from the Alpine region of Savoie in Eastern France, Jacquère thrives in the cooler mountains. It’s super crisp and refreshing, that generally showcases orchard fruit and citrussy notes with a mineral backbone that make's them a cracking companion for seafood or alpine cheeses. Jacquère’s lean and fresh nature is an absolute treat for fans of clean, mineral-driven wines.
Flavour Profile: Light-bodied, orchard fruits, minerality,
Top Pick:Domaine Des 13 Lunes, Abymes, 2023
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Negrette
Found almost exclusively in the Fronton AOC of South West France, Negrette is a dark-skinned grape that is noted for its aromatic profile. Known for its notes of violets and red fruits, it is a cracking choice for those who love aromatic reds or Pet Nat's. Despite its limited growing region, this grape brings a lot to the table in terms of character and is worth seeking out if you’re in the mood for something different.
Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied, floral, Red berries.
Top Pick: Chateau Le Roc, Roc Ambulle, 2022
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Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng is a white grape from the South West of France, particuarly famous in regions like Jurançon and Pacherenc. Known for its trademark electric acidity, it delivers notes of tropical fruits, and citrus. These wines can be both dry and sweet, with the latter also showcasing honied lusciousness.
Flavour Profile: Medium to full-bodied, tropical, citrus, (honey in the sweet wines) electric acidity.
Top Pick: Labranche-Laffont, Pacherenc Du Vic Bilh Sec, 2020
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Trousseau
If you’re a fan of lighter but gamey and earthy reds, Trousseau might just be your bag. Hailing from the Jura region of Eastern France, Trousseau creates wines that are delicate yet full of personality. Expect mulberries, spice and quite possibly a touch of earthy funk, which to be honest gives Trousseau its charm. Serve it very lightly chilled, and you’ll thank me later.
Flavour Profile: Light-bodied, red fruit, earthy & gamey, refreshing acidity.
Top Pick: Domaine Villet, Trousseau, 2022
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Assyrtiko
Indigenous to the volcanic island of Santorini inGreece, Assyrtiko can now be found across the mainland too. It is a white grape that produces wines with high acid and pleasing salinity. It manages to preserve freshness despite the hot climate it is grown in, and generally offers zestnyess, minerality and salinity in abundance. If you love wines that transport you then one sip and you'll be back in Greece!
Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied, citrus, saline minerality, slight herbaceousness.
Top Pick: Artisans Vignerons De Naoussa, Skyphos Assrytiko, 2023
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Mencía
Mopsty found in the northwestern regions of Spain, such as Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra, Mencía is a rwonderful ed grape that creates wines with lively fruity notes blended with earthnyess and often spicyness. Often compared to things like Cabernet Franc or even Pineau D'Aunis, Mencía's hallmarks are notes of cherry, blackberry, and pepper. Top choice if you’re into mid bodied reds that still delivers on complexity.
Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied, red and dark berries, peppery, earthy.
Top Pick: Veronica Ortega, Quite 2021
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Persan
A super rare red grape (less than 10 cultivated hectares in the world) from the Savoie region of France, Persan produces wines with bold fruit flavours and firm tannins. It’s known for its acidity and flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry, and subtle peppery spice. Despite its obscurity, Persan has been gaining recognition among natural wine lovers who love its rarity and slightly wild character.
Flavour Profile: Medium to full-bodied, dark fruit, pepper, earth, spice.
Top Pick: Domaine Des Ardoisieres, Amethyste, 2020 (yes it's pricey but boy is it good)
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Dona Blanca
Dona Blanca is a white grape found mainly in North West Spain and Portugal, especially in Galicia. It’s known for creating mid-bodied, subtly aromatic juice with notes of stone fruit, citrus & salinity. Often used in blends it can also be the star, especially in wines from small producers focused on unique, terroir-driven wines.
Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied, stone fruit, citrus, slight saline, subtle floral notes.
Top Pick: Quinta Da Muradella, Alanda Blanco, 2019
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Poulsard
Poulsard or Ploussard as it is sometimes called is a red grape from the ever poplular Jura region of Eastern France. Famous for being super duper light (It has been known to be incorrectly labelled as Rose) it genrally offers delicate red fruit notes of strawberries and raspberries, alongside a distinct yet pleasing earthyness. All the top top notch stuff is impossible to buy unless you know who to call 😉 but there are always some cracking options available
Flavour Profile: Light-bodied, red fruit, earthy undertones, herbal notes.
Top Pick: Domaine De La Borde, Ploussard 'Saperlipopette', 2022