Vanilla -
Aromas and Flavors of Wine

The vanilla plant comes from Mexico, and was originally pollinated by hummingbirds. The vanilla bean grows on a vine the climbs up trees. The Spanish discovered the vanilla bean when they invaded the Americas, and brought this treasure back with them to Europe. Aging a wine in oak often gives it a vanilla flavor.

The Wines with Vanilla Flavor

Banyuls is a sweet white wine with vanilla flavors. Sauternes is another sweet white dessert wine boasting vanilla.

In red wines, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are known to taste of vanilla, usually because they were aged in oak.

All About the Flavors of Wine