Flavor Notes: The Secret Life of Grapes

What some people may not know is that grapes themselves have an uncanny way of tasting like other fruits, spices and even flowers, depending on the variety of grape. For this reason, the “citrusy” grape used for sauvignon blanc would nicely complement the kind of white meats often served with lemon, such as chicken or fish.

 

But for a more exotic Asian dish, you might want to consider a Gewürztraminer, made with grapes whose flavor is often compared to litchi nuts.

 

In general, white wines tend to contain citrus, apple or pear notes, while reds yield berry, plum, peach or cherry flavors. If your experience tells you that a certain meat, grain or cheese often classically pairs with a particular fruit, then you’ve got a great head start toward knowing which wines will do the same.