White Wine for Cooler Weather
by Wendy VanHatten
Most of us tend to pick up the bottle of red wine as summer turns to fall. Maybe it’s because we think white wines drink better in the heat of the summer. That is, unless, you think of a fuller bodied white wine. I had never heard of this grape until lately. Auxerrois is similar to pinot blanc, not to be confused with pinot gris. Confusing?
Auxerrois is broader on the palate and spicier than a pinot blanc. In fact, you might see it blended with pinot blanc to add some nuance. Where does it come from? As a cross between the pinot noir of Burgundy and the ancient white gouais blanc, auxerrois blanc originates in Alsace, France. You might be lucky enough to find it in Oregon in the Willamette Valley.
Try it and let me know what you think.
