White Wine Types: A Simple Guide To White Wines
Posted on September 17 2021
Let's be clear: white wine is not in any way less refined than red wine. It may be just as intricate and delectable. When it comes to placing that all-important wine order, it's all about understanding precisely what you're talking about.
What Is A White Wine And How Is It Made?
White wines are made from grapes that haven't had their skins exposed during fermentation. The idea of making white wine is very easy. A winemaker takes newly picked grapes, extracts the juice from them, ferments the juice with yeast, then ages the wine before bottling it. Although grape juice and yeast are the only materials required, the process takes unexpected turns at each step.
What Are Some Of The Common Types Of White Wines?
There are a lot of types. But we don't have all day! So, here are some increasingly popular white wine varieties that you may or may not be familiar with.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most sophisticated and adaptable grape varieties available. It is a medium to full-bodied dry white wine from the Burgundy area of France, with flavors ranging from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple. This goes well with meaty fish and shellfish.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is usually the go-to white wine for people who don't know what to drink because of its zesty smells and fragrant, acidic flavors. The green-skinned grape is native to the Loire Valley, but we frequently see its New Zealand equivalent – especially from Marlborough – on menus. White meats, such as chicken, lightly flavored vegetarian meals, and shellfish go well with this wine.
Moscato
Moscato is a sweet, fruity wine with a touch of fizz that is often served as a dessert wine. It is most known for producing Asti Spumante, a very fragrant and scented sparkling wine with a zesty acidity. Crudités like carrots, celery, and cucumbers go well with it.
Pinot Grigio
This light-bodied wine, often called Pinot Gris, is brimming with bright, flowery flavors. One of the most popular Italian fine wines is Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio has a wide range of flavors depending on where it is produced, ranging from dry, salty types from Northern Italy to fruit-driven, lemony New World Pinot Grigios. There's even a sweet-style Pinot Grigio produced in Alsace that utilizes noble rot and late harvest grapes to achieve its candied, honeyed flavors (we'll keep that for another time). This wine goes well with Seafood, pasta meals, and vegetarian foods.
Riesling
Riesling is a fragrant, rich white wine with a strong fragrance. It's a wonderful choice if you want something sweet to balance off any heat, and it may range from extremely sweet to bone dry. Seek for wines from Alsace, Washington State, or the Clare Valley if you want a dry Riesling. Riesling types that are sweeter and off-dry may be found in Germany. Pair with delicate fish and Asian-inspired recipes for the best results.
Conclusion
It's worth remembering that, although the above information offers a solid basis and basic principles, how a white wine tastes has a lot to do with its creator, which means that a usually dry wine like Sémillon may be turned into a sweet wine with the right methods. We don't expect everyone to be a wine expert at the end of the day! After all, the only thing that matters is your own preference.
