The aperitif is the preferred 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?! It is indeed 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 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
While 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 avoid starting the evening with overly full-bodied wines, at the risk of overwhelming our taste buds.
Knowing that the chosen wine will possibly be followed by other bottles, it is indeed important to go "crescendo" in order to perfectly appreciate the different dishes and cuvées that will be served afterward.As an example, if you serve a rich and indulgent Meursault (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.), for example, produceslively 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 likeVouvray ,Savennières as well as the entire Anjou-Saumur .
The aperitif white wines from Burgundy
Burgundy is renowned for its elegant and complex white wines, almost exclusively made from the Chardonnay grape variety.Thus, while many appellations produce cuvées of great richness more suited to the table than as an aperitif (Meursault,Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Mercureyetc.), certain AOCs like Chablis or some Chardonnays from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Hautes-Côtes de Nuits will offer more freshness, minerality, and will therefore be suitable for an aperitif.
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, theRiesling, is a divine grape variety, which, when well vinified, allows the production of wines with a remarkable acidityas well as a brilliant minerality . As you might expect, these factors make this grape variety a magnificent companion for aperitifs thanks to its finesseand its freshness .
The Gewurztraminer , in anaromatic, exotic and exuberantregister, can also pair divinely with spicy bites or small sweet and savory appetizers. However, be cautious of its sweetnessas 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 fromChardonnay .
These wines offer aromas of green apple, citrus, peach, and apricot and are often wrapped in a refreshing acidity (though less pronounced than in Burgundy). The value for money can also be excellent here.
The Rhône Valley Aperitif White Wines
The Rhône Valley offersa wide variety of white grape varieties , allowing for the production of white wines with varied profiles.We might think, for example, 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. Very beautiful expressions of this grape variety can indeed be found within the IGP Collines Rhodaniennes with an excellent quality-price ratio!
The Marsanne andRoussanne varieties are also very established in the region and can create ideal wines for an aperitif in appellations like Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Péray.
Finally, Clairette , more present in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, can also be the base of delicious white wines perfectly suited for an aperitif.
The aperitif white wines of Jura
The Jura , located in the East of France, produces unique and atypical white wines. WhileChardonnayis widely planted there, allowing 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 suitable for aperitif when vinified as a classic white wine . It will then present a lovely acidity as well as notes of citrus and white fruits.
Southwest aperitif white wines
The Southwest of France offers a variety of very pleasant dry white wines that can wonderfully adapt to the convivial moment of the aperitif. Thus, the aromatic Petit and Gros Manseng, as well as the Colombard and Ugni blanc varieties, combine superbly to createfriendly winesthat are fresh and easy-drinking on the AOC Côtes de Gascogne .
One can also consider the dry white wines from the appellations Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh orGaillac. The IGP Landes also allows for the production of very pleasant wines of pleasure.
The white aperitif wines of Provence
While Provence is particularly famous for itsrosé wines, its AOC Côtes-de-Provence also offerssurprisingly fresh and elegant white wines .
Thus, the grape variety Rolle (also known as Vermentino) can producedelicious fresh and aromatic wines(apple, citrus, white fruits, etc.) that are very pleasant to accompany light Mediterranean dishes.
It should be noted that this observation also applies to the wines of Corsica , as Vermentino is 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 many white grape varieties present. Varieties such asViognier, Grenache Blanc ,Maccabeu,Clairette or evenRoussanne here give rise to fresh and fragrant wines, with fairly low acidity but perfect for accompanying summer salads or Mediterranean dishes.
The aperitif white wines of Savoie
A mountain vineyard par excellence, Savoie produces beautiful gems marked bygreat freshness.Here, the grape varieties Roussette (also known asAltesse), Jacquère, and Roussanne (locally called Bergeron ) allow the production of delicious wines that are crisp,fruity , andmineral .
Brilliant pairings with local cheeses (Abondance, Beaufort, Reblochon, Tomme, etc.) are imaginable here.
Conclusion
As you may have understood through this reading,the playground 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 othersparkling wines will offer very nice alternatives. We can also mention somelight and easy-drinking red wines , especially those made fromPinot Noir andGamay grapes.
So don't hesitate to explore and experiment with different grape varieties and regions to find your favorite combinations! And if you need advice,
