Chateau Montelena in Napa valley
What is a classic white wine grape? It is a variety that has proved it can produce consistently high quality over a long period of time in more than one region of the world. Therefore, though there are more than 120 commercially produced wine grapes, only 5 are considered to be classic white wine grapes:
- Chardonnay – famous in Burgundy, Sonoma and many other regions of the world
- Sauvignon Blanc – famous in the Loire, Bordeaux, New Zealand and many other region
- Riesling – famous in Germany, Austria and Australia
- Chenin Blanc – famous in the Loire and South Africa
- Semillon – famous in Bordeaux and Australia
In a blind tasting of these five famous varietals in Bus 305W, the 42 Millennial wine business majors identified Chateau Montelena’s 2013 Sauvignon Blanc as their favorite – even over a delicious Semillon based Sauternes from France.
Students described Chateau Montelena’s wine as having a nose of grapefruit with appealing notes of kiwi, grass and lemon on the palate and a refreshing acidity. Made in a white Bordeaux style with moderate oak aging, the wine sells for $35 at the winery.