Whether you’ve decided to embark on the journey to
becoming a connoisseur or you’re just venturing into new
territory with your favourite bottle, with this in-depth
article about our white wine collection, we’re sure
you’ll find the perfect match; for all your needs and
celebrations!
But before we jump into our portfolio of white wines,
let’s first understand what goes into creating this
special beverage.
What is White Wine?
People usually assume that red grapes make red wine and
that white wine is derived from green grapes. That's not
true. Irrespective of whether we use dark-skinned or
light-skinned grapes, the juice extracted from them is
clear.
Wine derives its colour not from the grape's pulp but
its skins. Therefore, during the process of making white
wine, grape skins are separated from the rest of the
grape before fermentation. This results in a clear mush
that is ultimately made into transparent, clear white
wine.
With this being said, most of the white wines in our
portfolio are made with light-skinned grapes, but many
white wines and champagne varieties are made with the
‘blanc de noir’ style of winemaking where they use red
grapes to make white wine.
At Sula, we’ve perfected the winemaking process to
produce some of the best wines in India, including
award-winning white wines! We're proud of having crafted
a range of wines, par excellence through a long-drawn
process of trial-and-error, experimenting, and using the
latest technology.
Types of White Wine
Contrary to the novice’s belief, white wine isn’t a reference to a singular type of clear wine. Even within the category of white wine, there are numerous types. Here’s a quick look at them all.
Bold & Dry
These types of white wines are usually oak-aged and full of intense flavour. They often have creamy, vanilla-tinged notes. Most Chardonnays and Viogniers are bold and dry.
Light & Dry
Medium-dry white wines with a lighter body and fresh notes are best described as light and dry. Most Chablis, Pinot Grigio, and Chenin Blanc varieties fall in this category.
Herbaceous
As the name suggests, this type of white wine is accompanied by herby and green aromas. On the other hand, herbaceous white wines like Sauvignons and Vinho Verdes (Green Wines) are usually light-bodied.
Light & Sweet
Light and sweet white wine usually has residual sugar from the winemaking process, leading to a sweet hint. Think Reislings and Moscatos.
Bold & Sweet
Also referred to as 'dessert wines,' these white wines are usually paired with chocolate, fruit or dessert creations to accentuate their boldness. Most late harvest wines fall within this category.
What are the benefits of White Wine?
Most white wines are packed with antioxidants that have
been linked
to weight loss. So looks like that glass of your
favourite white wine does more than just get you in high
spirits!
While red wines are touted for their heart-friendly
health benefits, this
study found that white wine could be linked to
healthier lung function. In addition, another study
found that regularly consuming moderate amounts of white
wine could potentially lower the risk of developing
cognitive problems that can ultimately lead to
Alzheimer’s.
By now, it's clear that white wines are not simply
alcoholic beverages you can enjoy, but they also are
loaded with tons of health benefits.
The White Wines of Sula
Let’s take a look at Sula’s exciting range of white wines and how you can best enjoy them.
THE SOURCE SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVE
Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, this rich,
complex, medium-bodied white wine is smooth and easy to
drink. It has the fruity aromas of green tropical fruits
and various other stone fruits, with hints of spice and
oak that elevate its experience.
The
Source Sauvignon Blanc is partially
barrel-fermented and partially aged in French oak
barrels. Unlike many other Sauvignon Blancs, it has a
ripe and rich fruitiness that gives it softer edges and
balanced acidity. Also considered one of India's best
white wines, this wine won the Silver Medal at the India
Wine Awards in 2018! To top it off, this white wine by
Sula comes highly
recommended by Sonal Holland, India's
first-ever Master of Wine!
To truly bring out the fruity undertone of this
white wine, pair it with light-on-the-palate dishes like
sushi, steamed fish, asparagus dishes, or aromatic
salads. It also goes well with milder Indian dishes like
Lehsuni Palak.
DINDORI RESERVE CHARDONNAY
Made with 100% Chardonnay grapes, Dindori
Reserve Chardonnay was launched in 2018, and
since then, has become one of India's favourite
Chardonnays. This medium-bodied white wine is low on
sweetness, has a slight fruitiness and medium acidity.
Its notes are reminiscent of tropical fruit and lemon,
with a hint of honey and vanilla. The finish can be
described as smooth and almost buttery. These unique
tasting notes of Dindori Reserve Chardonnay are brought
to life as it is partially barrel-fermented and then
partially aged in French oak.
Pair this white wine with simple, creamy dishes
like butter garlic prawns, butter chicken, mustard fish,
or white sauce pasta for best results. Given how
versatile this Chardonnay is, it can be paired with
virtually any cheese – from fresh goat's cheese to aged
varieties with sharper flavours like Gouda or Gruyere.
This user
recommends Sula Dindori Reserve Chardonnay for
those who enjoy white wines with balanced acidity and
hints of tropical fruits.
DINDORI RESERVE VIOGNIER
Until a few decades ago, Viognier grapes weren't
cultivated outside the Northern Rhone region. However,
we at Sula grow our Viognier grapes at our Dindori
estate at Nashik, making it possible to bring you an
authentic Viognier white wine experience.
Made from 100% Viognier, our Dindori
Reserve Viognier
is beautifully intense,
textured and boasts of delicate flavours of apricot,
peach, and lychee. With low acidity and high alcohol
content, this wine is the perfect pick for those who
enjoy medium fruity, medium-bodied wines.
The Dindori Reserve Viognier pairs beautifully
with creamy curries, perfectly accentuating the richness
of the curry with its subtle fruity hints. It also goes
well with rich shellfish dishes, tagines, root
vegetables, and more complex preparations like Goan
Xacuti. This user
also found that our New World-style
Viognier pairs well with salted, fried nuts.
SULA SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sula Sauvignon Blanc was one of the first Indian wines
that made waves worldwide and got wine drinkers to take
notice of Indian wines. It is also India's first
home-grown Sauvignon Blanc!
Best described as herbaceous and crisp, our Sauvignon
Blanc is interspersed with the zingy aroma of
bell peppers, with a playful, tropical touch of green
apple and guava, tied together with an almost-zingy
finish. In addition, this white wine is incredibly
food-friendly, so it's a great choice for pairing with
your everyday meals.
Classically, Sauvignon Blancs are served with seafood or
chicken, as the herbaceous quality compliments these
flavours perfectly. It also pairs well with moderately
spicy foods like paneer tikka and hara-bhara kabab owing
to its refreshing acidity. Additionally, its herbal
aromas make it an apt choice to be paired with green
salads and other lightly-prepared vegetarian dishes.
SULA CHENIN BLANC
Made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes, Sula Chenin Blanc
wine is an easy-drinking off-dry variant that’s great
for first-time wine drinkers, as well as those who love
a fruit-forward wine.
Also famed for being India's bestselling white wine, our
Chenin Blanc boasts of ripe, tropical fruit flavors
accentuated with hints of luscious honey. This user
notes how ‘light’ the wine is, making it perfect to be
sipped on in hot weather, while this user
talks about how this Chenin Blanc’s fruity notes
perfectly balance its refreshing acidity.
This Chenin Blanc wine pairs well with fresh, green
salads and delicately prepared meals like vegetable
quiche. Its fruitiness also goes well with Gujrati
cuisine that leans towards the sweeter side but still
has a tinge of spice. Given its unique flavor profile,
Sula Chenin Blanc also pairs well with soft
cheeses like cheddar, cream cheese, and gruyere.
SULA CHENIN BLANC RESERVE
This delicious white wine that won a Gold Medal at the
2019 India Wine Awards is made with 100% Chenin Blanc
grapes. The unique part about the process of making this
wine is that only 12 to 15% of the grape blend is aged
in French oak barrels, giving the wine its distinct
texture, taste and complexity. This user
highlights how this wine’s flavour is just slightly
different from the regular Chenin Blanc, making it
worthy of the ‘Reserve’ tag!
This limited-edition Chenin Blanc Reserve has delicately
layered aromas of melon and honey, with flavours of
concentrated tropical fruit and honey, with a
vivaciously racy finish that tastes best chilled.
The Sula
Chenin Blanc pairs well with fish
curry, paneer tikka, spinach ricotta ravioli, chicken
hariyali, and the herby flavours of pesto pasta.
SULA RIESLING
Famed for being India's first-ever Riesling, Sula
Riesling is an easy-drinking off-dry white wine,
perfect for first-time wine drinkers and those who enjoy
sipping on sweet wines. It’s a light, refreshing
Kabinett-style white wine that’s made from fully-ripened
grapes picked from the main harvest. This winemaking
style gives Sula
Riesling a well-balanced profile of
sweetness and acidity, with an immensely citrusy and
aromatic-yet-fresh flavour.
Our Riesling is best complimented by Chinese appetizers
like spring rolls and chili chicken that have a perfect
balance of spicy and umami flavours. It also pairs well
with the milder flavours of sushi and the more complex
flavours of dishes like tandoori chicken.
SULA LATE HARVEST CHENIN BLANC
You may have heard of many sparkling dessert wines, but
have you ever experienced the lusciousness of still
dessert white wine? Sula’s Late Harvest Chenin Blanc,
made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes, is just what you
need!
Famed for being India’s first still dessert wine, as
well as India's first-ever Late Harvest Chenin Blanc,
this deliciously fruity and sweet white wine has rich
aromas of apricot, mango, and raisins, rounded off with
luscious acidity and a memorable finish. Its full body
and indulgent sweetness make it the perfect
accompaniment to the final course of a memorable meal.
It also shines as an elegant aperitif.
Sula
Late Harvest Chenin Blanc pairs best with
decadent preparations like cheesecake, panna cotta,
qubani-ka-meetha, and gulab jamun. It also goes well
with the rich creaminess of blue cheese.
Final Thoughts
At Sula, every wine is made with the utmost respect for
the environment, following strict
sustainable
, environment-friendly practices. As
India’s largest and most-awarded wine brand, we’re
always striving to bring forth some of the best wines in
India, combining age-old winemaking processes with the
latest technology, interspersed with sustainability.
We hope that this in-depth guide to white wines has
helped you better understand Sula's wide range of white
wines and that you're now motivated to be a more
adventurous and knowledgeable wine drinker.
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