While there are countless white grape varieties that exist in the world, each producing a wine with its own aromas and flavors, a handful are easily the most popular. Here are seven white wines to know.
Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvignon Blanc grape produces white wines that are light, extra-crisp, and versatile. It grows in almost every major wine region, but its aromas and flavors vary widely depending on factors like climate and soil. It originates from the Loire Valley in France, where it’s most commonly known as Pouilly Fumé or Sancerre depending on the area in which it is grown. California, New Zealand, and Chile are a few other very popular regions.
Tasting Notes: Herbs, grass, citrus Food Pairings: Seafood, poultry, green vegetables and herbs, and soft cheeses like goat cheese
Chardonnay
When many people think of white wine, it’s Chardonnay that first comes to mind. Many assume it’s always buttery and oaky, but it’s important to set the record straight: Chardonnay can be two very different beasts depending on how it’s made. The grape itself produces a dry, lean white wine that’s wonderfully crisp. However, because it’s often aged in oak, many bottles are rounder and full of butter and vanilla notes. California is most known for producing heavily oaked Chardonnays while France, specifically Burgundy and its sub-region of Chablis, is known for producing leaner, unoaked bottles with lots of minerality.
Tasting Notes: Unoaked: Citrus, pear, mineral; Oaked: Butter, vanilla, baking spices Food Pairings: Unoaked: Vegetable risotto, sushi, oysters, and flaky white fish; Oaked: Mushrooms, lobster, winter squash, and roast chicken
Pinot Grigio/Gris
In Italy, this grape is known as Pinot Grigio, while in France it’s called Pinot Gris. Either way, it produces a light, easy-drinking white wine. It’s mostly grown in these two countries, particularly in northern regions. However, it’s also grown in Germany, California, Oregon, and Australia. Its aromas and flavors vary a bit depending on where it is grown, but it’s generally a bone-dry wine with lots of acidity.
Tasting Notes: Apple, citrus, and melon Food Pairings: Salads, seafood, cured meats like Prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella
Riesling
This is another grape that deserves a bit of debunking, as most people assume Riesling is a sweet white wine. While it can indeed be made in that style, bottles actually run the gamut from bone-dry to sticky-sweet. The majority of Rieslings are made in Germany, but the northeastern region of Alsace, France, as well as Austria, Washington, and even New York, also produce it. To ensure what you’re buying is dry, check the bottle; it will usually spell it out on the label. If it’s a German Riesling, it will say “trocken” which translates to dry. No matter the sweetness level, though, it’s a highly aromatic wine that’s incredibly food-friendly.
Tasting Notes: Apricot, peach, jasmine Food Pairings: Spicy Indian and Asian cuisine, seafood, Tex-Mex, and pork
Gewürtztraminer
This grape is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and northeastern Italy and France, though it’s also made in other cool climates in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Like Riesling, Gewürztraminer is intensely aromatic and can range from dry to sweet. It’s usually medium-bodied with low acidity, so even if it’s made in a dry style, it can be perceived as a bit sweeter than it actually is, because its tropical fruit-like aromas shine through.
Tasting Notes: Lychee, rose, ginger Food Pairings: Middle Eastern cuisine, spicy Indian and Asian cuisine, artichokes, and stinky cheeses like Gruyère
Viognier
You get a medium-bodied, perfumed white wine from the Viognier grape. It originated from the Northern Rhône region of France but today is found in California, Washington, South Africa, and Australia. Similar to Chardonnay, Viognier is usually either made unoaked or oaked, which plays a big role in the final product. Without oak aging, the wine is crisp, acidic, and floral, while it is rounder, creamier, and more vanilla and spice-forward when aged in oak. If you love buttery, rich, oak-aged Chardonnays, you’ll love oak-aged Viognier. However, if you prefer your white wine to be crisp and lean, opt for unoaked.
Tasting Notes: Unoaked: Rose, stone fruit, honeysuckle; Oaked: Tropical fruit, vanilla, baking spices Food Pairings: Unoaked: Scallops, aromatic herbs such as tarragon, Middle Eastern cuisine, and spicy Indian and Asian cuisine; Oaked: Fondue, crab, winter squash, and baked brie
Chenin Blanc
It’s hard to pinpoint Chenin Blanc, because this grape grows well in a large number of different regions and climates to produce a white wine with a vast array of styles. It’s most commonly grown in South Africa and the Loire Valley of France, but you’ll find it in the United States, Australia, and even India. It’s often a fruit-forward, light-bodied dry wine that’s high in acidity, but it can also be off-dry and very aromatic.
Tasting Notes: Apple, chamomile, pear Food Pairings: Quiche, poultry, smoked salmon, and dishes with cream sauces
More Recipes Made With White Wine:
Mussels in White Wine Sauce Pear and White Wine Sangria Apricot and White Wine Side Porch Sangria Garlic Chicken with White Wine
