White Wine Varieties

  • Share
  • Print this article
White Wine Varieties thumbnail
A glass of chilled white wine

White wines vary from red wines in color due to the removal of the grape's skin during pressing. The type of grape and the type of barrel used in the wine's preparation determines its flavor. The main grape production regions for white wines include France, Italy, Germany and the coasts of the United States. Because of their often sweet or acidic taste, white wines tend to pair well with chicken, seafood and other mellow foods. Add this to my Recipe Box.

  1. Chardonnay

    • Originating from the Burgundy region of France, the dry white wine chardonnay saw a surge of popularity in the 1990s. The taste of this wine, often paired with fish, ranges from richly citric to buttery. The taste variation depends on the type of barrel used for the aging process.

    Sauvignon Blanc

    • The best varieties of sauvignon blanc originate from the Bordeaux region of France, New Zealand and Australia. The taste of the wine varies from herbal undertones (tasting slightly of vegetable undertones) to sour fruits (green apples, gooseberries) or tropically sweet fruits (melons, oranges). Australia produces the least fruity variety due to the warm weather in the region. Sauvignon blanc pairs well with poultry, vegetable dishes and seafood.

    Pinot Grigio

    • The versatile white wine pinot grigio hails primarily from Italy. Versions produced in Austria and Germany are called, respectively, Ruländer and Grauer Burgunder, according to the French Scout website. The western United States also produce this wine. Most pinot grigio varieties carry a crisp, dry acidic flavor with slight notes of fruit. Aging brings out the fruit flavors in the wine.

    Riesling

    • Mainly produced in Germany, with a notable showing from the eastern United States, Riesling pairs with chicken, pork and seafood dishes. This dry wine provides a lighter alternative to chardonnay, with a fresh acidity. The German variety carries more of a fruity sweetness while the American version offer less sweetness.

Related Searches

References

Resources

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Comments

You May Also Like

Related Ads

Recent Blog Posts

The Fried Chicken to End All Fried Chicken
by Josh Ozersky

There are, by my count, at least seven levels of fried chicken. The worst of them is good; the best, which I waited forty-four years to find, led to what can only be called an out-of-body experience. Let’s start at …

Know Your Knives: Josh Ozersky’s Comprehensive Guide
by Josh Ozersky

I have a lot of knives. You probably do too. I really don’t know what to do with them all. There’s a Chinese cleaver, a gigantic multipurpose tool I bought for ten dollars a decade ago and which has never …

See all posts
Featured
View Mobile Site