Best Dry White Wine

Hitting the Spot

My first apartment didn’t have air conditioning. Looking back, it really didn’t have much at all. It was upstairs, and during the summer let me tell you…all you needed was rocks and a ladle for water and you could have your very own sauna. The overhead fan just moved warm air around, and it was impossible not to be hot all the time! Thank god for cold, crisp white wines. They really did make the summer easier.

White Wine Holds Its Own

Dry, white wines are not just for beginning wine drinkers, or a stepping stone to moving to reds. They hold their own, and some are highly sought after. Some of the most celebrated wines in the world are dry white wines! What are we talking about when we say “dry white wines”? Simple…any white wine varietal that has residual sugar well under 1%, that’s it. It can be a Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and on and on. There are so many to talk about.

Riesling

When you talk to sommeliers (or if you’re lucky enough to talk to a Master Sommelier), you will find that they all have a dry, crisp white that they love: Riesling. I’ve heard many times over and over that a certain vintage Riesling from Germany was an “epiphany” moment for these wine pros. And who can blame them? A dry Riesling has the crisp acidity, but with so much more in the nose of the glass and palate! These wines are best from cool climate areas (Claire Valley Australia, Austria, Alsace region of France, and of course Germany). The nose of the glass on these bad boys deliver notes of petrol, lemon, minerality, and citrus aromas. If you’re looking for a dry Riesling make sure it says “Kabinett” to signify dry. Try to shoot for $20 a bottle if you’ve not tried any before.

Sauvignon Blanc

Of course, when you think of dry white wine who could leave out Sauvignon Blanc? Frequently inexpensive, this varietal provides the crisp citrus acidity, yet offers great fruit as well without hurting your wallet too much. Sauvignon Blancs tend to offer the citrus flavors (mostly grapefruit, lemon, and lime), but you can get some that throw a little jalapeno and gooseberry aromas, too (think New Zealand). During the summer months you will always find a bottle or two in my fridge.

Pinot Gris

What about Pinot Gris? According to the wine production of California, it’s the #2 selling white wine. No one can argue it’s gaining popularity, for sure, but for some wine drinkers, they’ve never heard of it. It’s actually related to Pinot Noir as far as lineage of the grape goes. It’s a white wine, but with a little more body than you’d find in Sauv Blanc. On the nose it offers up minerality and pear notes. It’s a bigger wine, so the finish seems to permeate and stick around longer than lighter white wines.

Chardonnay

Of course, the king of all white wine is Chardonnay. It’s still the most planted and produced varietal in the United States. I have met many people who are the “ABC” crowd (anything but Chardonnay), but don’t sell it short. There are so many styles and types to choose from that you can find one you like. They can range from the 100% malo-lactic and new oak butter monster to the lighter, fruitier style that may have been fermented in stainless steel. I like a balance between the two myself, and have found many Chardonnays from California I like…but the real gems come from Burgundy, France. White Burgundy is literally Chardonnay. There are some Grand Cru’s and Premier Cru’s that can go for over $1000 from some producers! But you can find some great wines from $25-$50 from this area that are really delicious. American Chardonnay tends to be more creamy, showing baked apple and spice through the nose to the palate. White Burgundies tend to show more minerality and leaner acidity, so frequently it takes years of aging to be able to open the wine and enjoy.

Try Some More

Of course there are more, and even highly obscure whites that can be added. Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and others to name but a few. Always take a chance and try some dry whites that a sommelier or wine shop owner recommends—even if you have never heard of the varietal! It’s fun to explore.

Best Dry White Wine Recommendations:

Riesling

• Dr. Loosen, Germany—There are many different types of Rieslings this producer offers, but they are all very good.

• J. Prum, Germany—This family has been making Riesling for a very long time, and again, all the lineup is quite tasty!

• Domaine Weinbach—The first Riesling from Alsace, France that I tried. It was amazing. (About $30 or so).

Sauvignon Blanc

• Geyser Peak Winery, California—These guys do it all the time: winning awards. Their Sauvignon Blanc always gets awards left and right. Very acidic, with flavors of zesty lemon and grapefruit.

• Kim Crawford, New Zealand—Wines from down under in New Zealand are a huge hit here in the states. These NZ wines show more of the fresh gooseberry and intense citrus and herbal aromas. This style is not for everyone, but if you have not tried it, you’re missing out!

Pinot Gris

• J Vineyards and Winery, California—Although this winery is known for its sparkling wine, they make a wonderful Pinot Gris. Bosc pear and lemon meringue pie make this a favorite of mine!

• King Estates, Oregon—One of the largest producers up in Oregon make a wonderful Pinot Gris. It's lean and dry with an earthier tone than others I've tried, but it's actually quite refreshing.

Chardonnay

• Lynmar Winery, Russian River—This producer is in the heart of the Russian River Valley in California. This is a great climate for Chardonnay…this wine shows notes of lemon curd and meringue. The acidity is high, but it’s not too oaky, so the balance shows well.

• Rombauer Winery, Napa, California—This ever popular Chardonnay is a nice expression of the grape coming from Napa. Baked apple and vanilla make this a great quaffer.

• Kistler Vineyard, California—This producer does not make Chardonnay for the faint of heart. They are highly sought after, and not cheap. We’re talking $75 for a bottle! This wine is unfined and unfiltered, so it’s intense when it hits the glass. It’s big, but has lots of acidity and creaminess that really is quite satisfying. If you are a Chardonnay fan, you should splurge and try this one time.

• Vincent Girardin, France—This producer has been making great wines for a long time. They offer many levels of Chardonnay (village wine up to Grand Cru). If you are new to French wine, try something in the $20-$40 price range first. Then you can go on and try Premier Cru and Premier Grand Cru for more. Again, White Burgundy offers crisp minerality, soft vanilla and spice, and lean texture.

Not the End

Of course this list is by no means the end-all be-all of the best white wines, but it’s a great starting place. We always encourage you to branch out and try new things. You never know, you might find a new favorite! Cheers!