WHY SOME WINES
BY NICOLE MACKAY
Golden wine is eye-catching for a reason. Amber, honey and even copper hues usually hint at flavours beyond simple fruit. Maybe it’s oak aging, skin contact or extended hang time. Whatever the path, these wines tend to bring texture, richness and layered flavours— exactly what cooler evenings call for .
OAK-AGED WHITES If a white wine tastes a little richer and creamier or looks deeper in colour, there’s a good chance oak had something to do with it. Time in the barrel slowly shifts wine from pale lemon to deeper golden shades while layering in flavours like vanilla, toast, baking spice and warm buttered brioche. Chardonnay is the classic example, especially styles that lean fuller and rounder rather than crisp and citrusy. You’ll notice it as much in the silky texture as in the flavour. These are the bottles perfectly paired with roast chicken, mushroom pasta and other warm autumnal meals. GOLDEN GRAPES Some grapes naturally glow a little deeper in the glass. Chenin Blanc and Viognier are great examples: fuller-bodied whites with texture, perfume and a natural richness that lean golden even without oak. Chenin Blanc can swing from bright and minerally to waxy and honeyed, while Viognier brings lush stone fruit and florals. Warmer climates push these wines even further, ripening the fruit and deepening both flavour and colour. The best part is they feel generous without becoming heavy. Think roasted squash, creamy cheeses, pork chops or anything involving brown butter and herbs— the kind of food autumn was made for.
Rich and layered, this Chardonnay delivers baked apple, toasted oak and creamy vanilla, with a long, round, smooth finish. Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay $33.99 France 55533
The buttery texture is usually from oak or lees stirring, sometimes both.
Fresh yet textured, this Chenin Blanc balances citrus, ripe apple, honey and minerality with vibrant acidity and gentle richness. Tania & Vincent Carême Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc $23.49 South Africa 182934
Chenin Blanc’s naturally high acidity balances
its richer, honeyed flavours.
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