Bacchus Weiss

Bacchus is an aromatic white grape bred in Germany and now familiar to many drinkers through English still wine. Its name on a bottle often points towards an expressive nose, with floral, herbal and fruit notes that can make it an alternative to Sauvignon blanc. It is not simply another name for that better known grape.

The variety ripens relatively early, an advantage where a short or cool growing season makes reliable maturity difficult. Germany and England do not produce an identical style, however. The producer's choice about harvest, fermentation and residual sugar can turn its perfume into a brisk dry white or a softer wine with a perceptible touch of sweetness.

The practical question is how the bottle finishes. A dry English example can work with fresh herbs, green vegetables, goat cheese or simply cooked fish. A softer German wine may be more comfortable with gentle spice. Read the sweetness description before planning the pairing, because an aromatic smell is not evidence that sugar remains in the wine.