The aperitif is the special moment for the French to relax and share with loved ones. And what better than a delicious white wine to accompany these generous convivial moments?! Indeed, it is perfectly suited for consumption before the meal thanks to its freshness and its ability to whet our appetite.
As you probably know, the wine regions of France are full of white wines that can ideally accompany this moment of life. Let's go and discover them...but first, let's identify the qualities of a good white wine for an aperitif!
The qualities of a good white wine for an aperitif
Although it is essential to identify your personal tastes in order to ideally select the cuvée or cuvées that will accompany your aperitif, it is preferable, in the vast majority of cases, to opt for a white wine with a rather light and refreshing profile. Why? It's quite simple! Since the aperitif precedes the meal, it is necessary to not start the evening with wines that are too heavy, at the risk of overwhelming our taste buds.
Knowing that the chosen wine may possibly be followed by other bottles, it is indeed important to go "crescendo" in order to perfectly appreciate the different dishes and vintages that will be served afterwards. For example, if you serve a Meursault that is rich and indulgent (as good as it may be) and then follow it with a Riesling from Alsace known for its freshness and acidity, you risk completely missing out on the latter because your palate will have been accustomed to very intense aromas beforehand.That would be a shame, wouldn't it?
Now that you know this basic logical rule, we can now begin a tour of our beautiful regions and discuss grape varieties and appellations that will delight you at the aperitif!
Freshness and lightness are the key words for a successful white wine aperitif
White wines for aperitif by region
Loire aperitif white wines
The Loire offers a great diversity of white wines.The Sauvignon Blanc, a grape variety very present in the region (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon etc.), produces, for example, lively and fruity wines that pair superbly with seafood, light salads, or goat cheeses.
For a successful aperitif, one might also consider Muscadet or the magnificent Chenin, an emblematic variety of appellations like Vouvray, Savennières as well as the entire Anjou-Saumur.
The aperitif white wines from Burgundy are renowned for their elegant and complex white wines, almost exclusively made from the Chardonnay grape. While many appellations produce rich cuvées more suited to the table than to aperitifs (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Mercurey, etc.), certain AOCs like Chablis or some Chardonnays from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Hautes-Côtes de Nuits will offer more freshness and minerality, making them suitable for aperitifs.Further south, one can also consider the region of Mâcon, capable of producing superb value-for-money wines that are very indulgent.
The aperitif white wines in Alsace
Located in the northeast of France, Alsace is an exceptional land of white wines. Its flagship variety, Riesling, is a divine grape, which, when well vinified, allows for the production of wines with a remarkable acidity as well as a brilliant minerality. As you might expect, these factors make this grape a magnificent companion for aperitifs thanks to its finesse and freshness.
The Gewurztraminer, in an aromatic, exotic and exuberant style, can also pair divinely with spicy bites or small sweet and savory appetizers. However, be cautious of its sweetness as this variety also produces off-dry and sweet wines!
Finally, other grape varieties like Sylvaner, Pinot Gris, or even Pinot Auxerrois can also be interesting.
The Beaujolais aperitif white wines
Although the Beaujolais is primarily known for its red wines made from the Gamay grape, the region also produces light and fruity white wines from Chardonnay.
These wines offer aromas of green apple, citrus, peach, and apricot and are often wrapped in a refreshing acidity (although less pronounced than in Burgundy). The value for money can also be excellent here.
The Rhône Valley aperitif white wines
The Rhône Valley offers a wide variety of white grape varieties, allowing for the production of white wines with varied profiles. One might think of Viognier, creating fleshy and indulgent wines with low acidity.
For an aperitif, however, there is no need to turn to the famous Condrieu appellation where this variety reigns supreme. Very beautiful expressions of this grape variety can indeed be found within the IGP Collines Rhodaniennes, with an excellent quality-price ratio! The Marsanne and Roussanne varieties are also very established in the region and can create ideal wines for aperitifs in appellations like Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Péray. Finally, Clairette, more present in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, can also be the basis for delicious white wines that perfectly suit aperitifs.
The aperitif white wines of Jura
The Jura, located in the East of France, produces unique and atypical white wines. While Chardonnay is widely planted there, allowing for the production of fruity wines with a nice acidity, it is indeed Savagnin that is the star of the vineyard.
Thus, while it allows for the creation of extremely intense wines when aged under a veil (like vin jaune), it can also produce cuvées more suited for aperitifs when vinified as a classic white wine. It will then present a lovely acidity as well as notes of citrus and white fruits.The aperitif white wines of the Southwest The Southwest of France offers a variety of very pleasant dry white wines that can wonderfully adapt to the convivial moment that is the aperitif. Thus, the aromatic Petit and Gros Manseng, or the Colombard and Ugni blanc varieties combine superbly to create fresh and easy-drinking "vins de copains" on the AOC Côtes de Gascogne. One can also consider the dry white wines from the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh or Gaillac appellations. The IGP Landes also allows for the production of very enjoyable pleasure wines.
The white aperitif wines of Provence While Provence is particularly famous for its rosé wines, its AOC Côtes-de-Provence also offers surprising white wines with freshness and elegance. Thus, the Rolle grape variety (also known as Vermentino) can produce delicious fresh and aromatic wines (apple, citrus, white fruits, etc.) that are very pleasant to accompany light Mediterranean dishes.Note that this observation also applies to the wines of Corsica, with Vermentino being the most used white grape variety on the island of beauty.
The aperitif white wines of Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon offers white wines with very varied profiles given the numerous white grape varieties present. Varieties such as Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Clairette, and Roussanne here give rise to fresh and fragrant wines, with relatively low acidity but perfect for accompanying summer salads or Mediterranean dishes.
The white aperitif wines of Savoie A quintessential mountain vineyard, Savoie produces beautiful gems characterized by great freshness. Here, the grape varieties Roussette (also known as Altesse), Jacquère, and Roussanne (locally called Bergeron) allow for the production of delicious wines that are crisp, fruity, and mineral. Brilliant pairings with local cheeses (Abondance, Beaufort, Reblochon, Tomme, etc.) are imaginable here.
Conclusion
As you may have understood from this reading, the playing field for aperitif white wines is particularly vast, allowing all wine enthusiasts to find their happiness.
Of course, it should be noted that white wines are not the only wines suitable for an aperitif! For example, Champagne and other sparkling wines will offer very nice alternatives. We can also mention some light and easy-drinking red wines, particularly those made from the grape varieties Pinot Noir and Gamay.
So don't hesitate to explore and experiment with different grape varieties and regions to find your favorite combinations! And if you need advice,
