Wine tasting: see the list of the best whites – 04/03/2023 – Food

“Of course, the taste of the sommelier influences the recommendation”, says Adiu Bastos, a professional who worked at the Tuju restaurant and the Rosewood hotel, both in São Paulo, and today provides consultancy.

Pre-established concepts can also dictate a choice, according to him. “If you have a Brazilian and a Portuguese wine, for example, it is likely that you end up favoring Portuguese. The same happens with a more expensive wine and a cheaper one.”

That’s why blind tasting—not knowing what you’re tasting—is so useful for evaluation.

“It takes away all the aura that a brand or denomination can have”, says the expert. Together with Agilson Gavioli, professor of beverages at Senac, and Diego Arrebola, director of products at supplier Berkmann Wine Cellars Brasil, Adiu Bastos participated in a blind tasting organized by Sheet at the Brazilian cuisine restaurant Tordesilhas, in São Paulo, to choose 12 white wines of up to R$70, which are easy to find.

Only whites were evaluated because Holy Week is approaching and it is, by tradition, the time to eat fish. The panel gathered 29 samples from eight countries and 12 different sources, including two
supermarkets, an ecommerce store, four importers and five national wineries. The samples were sent, at the request of the reporter, by the wine producers.

Among them are Aurora and Salton, which are at the center of an institutional crisis for having hired the Fênix services Administrative Services and Health Management Support, accused of keeping more than 200 workers in conditions analogous to slavery in the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul.

In case there is none of the listed labels in the supermarket of your choice, the specialists give their tips for those who want to buy.

“In ecommerce stores, be wary if the offer is very cheap”, says Bastos. “Take risks”, says Arrebola.

“Try different grapes and regions to find out what you like. Look for the most recent vintages. Whites are more sensitive than reds, and wines at this price aren’t usually made to age.”

Gavioli adds: “Ask the attendants for help. In most supermarkets there is someone who understands the subject”.

See below the list of the 12 best rated wines during the blind tasting.

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc 2020
“A very fresh white, very balanced, with interesting aromas and a good presence in the mouth”, says Diego Arrebola. “To me, it felt like a step above the other wines tasted.” On sale in the stores of the Zona Sul supermarket chain, in Rio de Janeiro.
Origin: Marlborough, Australia. Price: R$56.94, in the South Zone

Reserva Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc 2022
“Very pleasant in the mouth”, says Agilson Gavioli. “It has good acidity and the aromas are not overpowering, as is sometimes the case with sauvignon blanc.” On sale in several supermarkets and also
in online stores across the country.
Origin: Casablanca, Chile. Price: BRL 69, at Cantu Importadora

Emiliana Adobe Riesling 2020
“A mineral wine, with good acidity and excellent persistence in the mouth”, says Gavioli. “Good balance between aromas and mouthfeels, with a crunchy texture and a light pleasant aftertaste.” The wine is organic. On sale in several supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Bio-Bio Valley, Chile. Price: BRL 61, at the importer La Pastina

Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2021
“A label with good aromatic expression, with a lot of fruit and some wood both in the nose and in the mouth”, says Adiu Bastos. “In the end, it has a slight bitterness, which does not compromise the whole.” On sale in several supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Paarl, South Africa. Price: R$70, at Casa Flora

Parthenium Grillo and Pinot Grigio 2020
“Discreet in the aromas, in the mouth it is quite mineral”, says Gavioli. “In the mouth, it is quite mineral. Lively and crunchy. The residual sugar [da fruta, que sobra da fermentação] it’s a present.” On sale at ecommerce and at
Wine physical stores.
Origin: Sicily, Italy. Price: BRL 58.71, at Wine.com.br

Quinta do Ameal Bico Amarelo 2021
Aromas of citrus fruit in profusion”, says Gavioli. “It also has pineapple, pear, apple… It is a balanced wine. It has good acidity and good persistence on the palate.” For sale in several supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Vinho Verde, Portugal. Price: R$ 65, at Qualimpor

Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay 2021
“Aroma of more ripe fruit, almost like a jam”, says Gavioli. “In the mouth, it could have a little more freshness. It lacked a little more acidity.” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Chimbarongo, Chile. Price: BRL 63, at La Pastina

Aurora Varietal Riesling Italic 2021
“It’s a light wine,” says Gavioli. “But it has a nice overall feel. Citrus aromas and a sharp, sharp acidity. It should go well with ceviche.” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Serra Gaúcha, Brazil. Price: BRL 42, at Vinícola Aurora

Almadén Gewürztraminer 2022
“A wine with an interesting aromaticity, but without that exaggeration of aromas that one finds in unbalanced gewürztraminer”, says Arrebola. “Almadén, for me, is always good value for money.” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Central campaign, Brazil, BRL 40.32, on the Miolo Group website

2022 Riesling Paradox
“A very joker wine”, says Bastos. “A very light white, which balances some herbaceous aromas with a pleasant palate. I don’t know if I would recommend this wine at this moment, because of the scandal that involved the winery, but it was chosen in a blind technical tasting…” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Gaúcho Campaign, Brazil. Price: BRL 65, on the Salton website

Viognier Single Edition 2020
“A well-balanced wine,” says Bastos. “It is fresh in the mouth and has a good persistence. What I said about the Salton wine applies here: I don’t know if I would recommend this wine because of the scandal. But in the blind tasting, it did well.” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Serra Gaúcha. Price BRL 70, on the Vinícola Aurora website

Esporão Monte Velho Branco 2018
“It has aromas reminiscent of Persian lime, grapefruit and other citric fruits”, says Gavioli. “The alcohol comes through slightly too much, while the acidity is a little low. Overall, though, it’s pleasant and leaves a good mouthfeel.” On sale in supermarkets and online stores in the country.
Origin: Alentejo, Portugal, Price: R$70, at Qualimpor