It has fragrant aromas of spring blossom and vanilla
The love for wine, specifically white wine, is growing in India and there are a variety being produced in the country.
India’s wine market is expanding every day.
It is estimated to be valued at £110 million, where imported wine accounts for 30% and the rest is catered for domestically.
Domestic wines are becoming more popular, with the quality of them improving.
Indian wineries are producing white wines with a lot of time and care.
The proof is in the taste as they boast a broad variety of tastes and aromas.
As wine continues to become more prominent, we look at 10 of the best white wines in India to drink as well as the type of foods that pair well with them.
Fratelli Sangiovese Bianco
Fratelli Sangiovese Bianco is the first of its kind in India because it is made using Sangiovese grapes, a red grape.
Fratelli takes into account finesse, elegance and complexity when it comes to their wines.
Its vinification technique is made with low extraction in order to obtain more refined and elegant aromas and flavours.
This Indian white wine is left to mature in French oak barrels. This ensures that the tannins are ’rounded’.
It is a light white wine that is great to start off an evening.
It has fragrant aromas of spring blossom and vanilla with a nutty finish. The taste is crisp, with flavours of citrus fruits.
Because of the dry finish, it will leave you wanting another drink.
This rare white wine is ideal alongside foods such as pasta, poultry and hard cheese.
Charosa Selection Sauvignon Blanc
Since first launching in 2013, Charosa Selection Sauvignon Blanc has been a firm favourite when it comes to Indian white wines.
It is a dry white wine that comes alive with intense tropical flavours of gooseberry and orange.
This bright, straw-yellow, mid-palate wine is broad, balanced and quite rich with tropical fruits and a grassy mineral freshness.
To get the most potential out of this wine, it is best to drink it between 10°C and 12°C. Enjoy this white wine in a tall glass with a narrow bowl.
Pair with salads and light seafood dishes as the herbaceous characteristics seem to increase the flavour within the dishes.
H-Block Chardonnay
This is one of the finest Indian Chardonnays.
H-Block Chardonnay by York Winery is a bold, full-bodied wine that has a crisp acidity and complexity.
This is because 15% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for six months, giving it a buttery creaminess.
It has notes of lemon and citrus on the nose.
The crisp acidity is achieved from the Chardonnay grapes that are attained naturally thanks to the cold winter nights.
The acidic taste and buttery texture mean that this Indian white wine works well with shellfish, salad and risotto.
Reveilo Chardonnay Reserve
Reveilo Chardonnay Reserve is India’s first Chardonnay and it is one of the few white wines that are matured in French oak barrels.
This gives it a complex array of flavours and aromas.
The initial notes of vanilla are intense. This is followed by fruity notes of peach, melon and passionfruit.
Towards the end is a smooth oaky finish which comes as a surprise.
These flavours and aromas blend well, making this Indian white wine extremely rich and complex. It is the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness.
Pair with mild curries such as korma as well as salad.
J’Noon White
J’Noon is a joint venture between Kapil Sekhri of Fratelli Wines and Jean-Charles Boisset, creating a limited edition offering of red, white and sparkling wines.
Its white wine is a combination of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.
The Chardonnay was aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels while the Sauvignon Blanc was fermented and aged in stainless steel.
It is a rare white blend that exudes the Chardonnay characteristics of green apple, white pear and stone fruit.
This is alongside fresher notes of lime, lemongrass and herbs thanks to the Sauvignon Blanc.
It has a creamy texture and a dry finish.
Pair J’Noon White with poultry and rich Indian dishes.
The Source Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
The Source Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is by Sula Vineyards and it is one of India’s best white wines.
It is a medium-bodied dry white wine that is made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and is partly aged in French oak barrels.
On the nose, it has intense aromas of tropical fruits.
The taste also has notes of tropical fruits as well as green fruits.
When it comes to pairing with food, drink alongside aromatic salads and steamed fish.
Vijay Amritraj Viognier
Indian wine producer Grover Zampa Vineyards launched the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection in 2014, inspired by the former Indian tennis player.
The collection includes Red and White wine varieties.
On the White variety, Grover Zampa Vineyards CEO Sumedh Mandla said:
“The White reserve is a barrel fermented and barrique aged Viognier.”
This Indian white wine has aromas of peach, honey and dry apricot, as expected from a quality Viognier.
It has a creamy palate, with hints of vanilla.
This dry white wine is rich and finishes on fruity notes, perfect alongside Indian seafood dishes and fruity desserts.
KRSMA Sauvignon Blanc
This Indian white wine is made in Karnataka and it is one of the only white wines to have the richness of a Sauvignon Gris.
A pale hay coloured wine, it has notes of fresh peaches, unripe pears, green apple as well as cherries and cloves.
It is a crispy wine, with acidity and body.
Because the acidity is quite pronounced, it makes this wine great alongside many foods.
Leaving to mature for a year in the bottle imparts a richness to it, making it ideal with curries.
Vallonne Vin de Passerillage
This is a unique Indian white wine because it is actually a dessert wine.
It is a limited release wine that is produced in small quantities from the best handpicked grapes, sundried to ensure the highest concentration of aromas and sugars.
Vallonne Vin de Passerillage is a thick, honeyed and luscious sweet wine with a refreshing and velvety finish.
It has a golden yellow colour and on the palate, it is low in acidity.
This wine has a rich fruity aroma, with fragrant smells of sweet fruits and cashew as well as subtle notes of honey.
It is best served at 6°C and as it is a dessert wine, enjoy with rich desserts like chocolate and fruit tarts.
Reveilo Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
Late Harvest Chenin Blanc was the first Indian sweet wine on the Indian market when it was first launched in 2004.
It is made using Chenin Blanc grapes and a fraction of them are fermented in second fill American oak barrels.
This is then blended with other tank fermented wine.
This golden white wine has aromas of raisins, dried figs and dried fruits.
On the palate, the sweetness is balanced with the acidity, resulting in a velvety taste.
The sweet mild flavours provide an ideal contrast to spicy foods.
These 10 white wines offer a range of tastes and aromas, meaning there is something for everyone.
While some are fruity and light, others are full-bodied and have an acidic taste.
Whatever your preference is, these Indian white wines provide viable options when it comes to finding a quality white wine to drink.
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