Blue Profile Wines — Insta-Somm

Blue Profile

Floral, Aromatic, Perfumed

Wines and foods in the blue profile share molecular compounds that create floral and aromatic characteristics—think roses, jasmine, lavender, and exotic spices.

Understanding the Blue Profile

The Blue profile represents foods and wines that share floral and aromatic molecular compounds. These are the aromatic molecules found in roses, jasmine, lavender, and exotic spices that create those distinctive perfumed characteristics. Blue profile items contain compounds like linalool, geraniol, and other floral terpenes that create intensely aromatic, often exotic experiences.

Molecular Basis
Blue profile items contain floral terpenes (linalool, geraniol), exotic spice compounds, and aromatic esters that create perfumed aromas.
Sensory Experience
Aromatic, perfumed, exotic sensations. Floral notes, spices, and often slight sweetness. Captivating and complex.
Pairing Principle
Match floral with floral, aromatic with aromatic. These wines pair with complex, spiced dishes and delicate preparations.

Blue Profile Wines

These wines feature pronounced floral, aromatic, and perfumed characteristics

Gewürztraminer
Blue Profile

Alsace, France

The quintessential blue profile wine. Highly aromatic white with intense floral and exotic spice notes. Full-bodied with low acidity and often off-dry, perfect for aromatic pairings.

Characteristics:

Aromatic, full-bodied, floral, exotic

Flavor Profile:

Lychee, rose petal, ginger, honeysuckle, exotic spices, Turkish delight

Perfect Pairings:

Asian cuisine, Thai curry, Moroccan tagine, soft cheeses, spicy dishes

Serve: 45-50°F (7-10°C)White wine glass
Moscato d'Asti
Blue Profile

Piedmont, Italy

Sweet, lightly sparkling wine with delicate floral aromatics and low alcohol. Refreshing and approachable, bursting with orange blossom and peach notes.

Characteristics:

Sweet, sparkling, delicate, low alcohol

Flavor Profile:

Orange blossom, peach, honey, mandarin, jasmine, elderflower

Perfect Pairings:

Fresh fruit, light desserts, brunch dishes, soft cheeses, fruit tarts

Serve: 40-45°F (4-7°C)Flute or small white wine glass
Torrontés
Blue Profile

Salta, Argentina

Argentina's aromatic signature white. Intensely floral with white flowers and peach, but finishes dry despite its perfumed nose.

Characteristics:

Aromatic, floral, dry finish, refreshing

Flavor Profile:

White flowers, peach, lemon zest, rose, geranium, jasmine

Perfect Pairings:

Ceviche, spicy dishes, Asian fusion, light seafood, floral salads

Serve: 45-50°F (7-10°C)White wine glass
Muscat/Moscato
Blue Profile

Various (Greece, France, Italy)

Ancient aromatic grape family with intensely floral character. Can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling, but always perfumed.

Characteristics:

Intensely aromatic, floral, versatile

Flavor Profile:

Orange blossom, honeysuckle, mandarin, lychee, rose water, grape

Perfect Pairings:

Fruit desserts, soft cheeses, Middle Eastern cuisine, brunch, fruit salads

Serve: 40-50°F (4-10°C)White wine glass
Riesling (Off-Dry to Sweet)
Blue Profile

Germany / Alsace, France

When made in off-dry to sweet styles, Riesling develops beautiful floral aromatics alongside its stone fruit character. The sweetness balances spicy dishes.

Characteristics:

Aromatic, sweet, high acidity, age-worthy

Flavor Profile:

White flowers, apricot, honey, jasmine, petrol (with age)

Perfect Pairings:

Spicy Asian cuisine, duck, apple desserts, blue cheese, floral dishes

Serve: 45-50°F (7-10°C)White wine glass
Viognier
Blue Profile

Rhône Valley, France

While sometimes categorized in yellow, Viognier's intense floral aromatics of honeysuckle and orange blossom place it firmly in the blue profile for pairing purposes.

Characteristics:

Full-bodied, aromatic, lush, low acidity

Flavor Profile:

Honeysuckle, orange blossom, apricot, jasmine, mandarin

Perfect Pairings:

Floral-forward dishes, rich seafood, spiced chicken, fruit-forward plates

Serve: 50-55°F (10-13°C)White wine glass (wider bowl)
Scenic vineyard landscape

The Science of Blue

Blue profile wines and foods share floral terpenes like linalool and geraniol—the same aromatic compounds that give roses their perfume, jasmine its intoxicating scent, and lavender its calming aroma. When you pair Gewürztraminer with Thai curry, or Moscato with peach tart, these matching floral molecules create a symphony of aromatics that transport your senses. This is molecular gastronomy at its most fragrant.

Blue Profile Foods

Foods that share the same floral and aromatic molecular compounds as blue profile wines

Floral Ingredients
LavenderRoseVioletElderflowerJasmineOrange blossom

Why it works:

Blue profile wines share the same floral terpene compounds (linalool, geraniol) found in edible flowers, creating perfect aromatic matches.

Exotic Spices
GingerCardamomStar aniseSaffronFive-spiceCoriander

Why it works:

The exotic spice notes in blue wines mirror these aromatic spices, enhancing both the wine and the dish.

Asian Cuisine
Thai curryVietnamese dishesChinese aromaticsIndian cuisineSushi

Why it works:

The aromatic complexity and often slight sweetness of blue wines complement the spices and flavors in Asian cooking.

Stone Fruits & Tropical
LycheePeachApricotMangoPassion fruitGuava

Why it works:

The tropical and stone fruit esters in blue wines harmonize with fresh fruit, especially in desserts and salads.

Soft & Creamy
Soft cheesesCream-based dishesRicottaMascarponePanna cotta

Why it works:

The full body and often slight sweetness of blue wines pair beautifully with creamy, delicate preparations.

Perfect Pairing Examples

See the Blue profile in action with these expertly crafted pairings

Blue 2

Thai Red Curry with Coconut Milk

Paired with:

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer's lychee and exotic spice notes complement the curry's aromatic spices. The wine's slight sweetness tames the heat, while its full body matches the coconut richness.

Pro Tip:

The wine's rose petal notes enhance the curry's aromatic complexity

Blue 3

Fruit Tart with Fresh Peaches

Paired with:

Moscato d'Asti

Moscato's peach and orange blossom notes mirror the fresh fruit. The wine's gentle sweetness and sparkle refresh the palate between bites of creamy custard.

Pro Tip:

Add a touch of lavender to the custard for an extra floral dimension

Blue 1

Ceviche with Ginger & Lime

Paired with:

Torrontés

Torrontés' floral character and crisp acidity complement the fresh fish and citrus. The wine's ginger-like spice notes echo the actual ginger in the dish.

Pro Tip:

Garnish with edible flowers to enhance the aromatic experience

Blue 2

Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Apricots

Paired with:

Riesling (Off-Dry)

Off-dry Riesling's apricot notes complement the dried fruit in the tagine. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness while its sweetness balances the spices.

Pro Tip:

Use preserved lemons to bring out the wine's citrus notes

Blue 2-3

Soft Cheese Plate with Honey & Lavender

Paired with:

Muscat

Muscat's honeyed floral character perfectly matches honey-drizzled soft cheeses. The wine's grape-like sweetness complements the creamy texture.

Pro Tip:

Include a honeycomb and dried lavender for visual and aromatic appeal

Ready to Create Perfect Blue Pairings?

Use Insta-Somm to pair your aromatic, floral dishes with the perfect blue profile wines.