White Wine Types

Many White Wine Types

When you think about all the white wine varietals there are in the world…well, you’d be thinking for a long time. Believe it or not, there are over 1000 different wine-grape types out there (called Vinis Vinifera). Some you’ve heard of and most you probably haven’t. In Italy alone there are so many different types of grapes and clones that in some cases it can be just resident to the little village where it’s planted. Talk about obscure! But beyond that, there are more mainstream white wine varietals that we all know and love, too.

Chardonnay

When talking about types of white wine, you have to talk about Chardonnay. To this day it is—, by far, the most popular selling wine in the United States. Now, some people who fancy themselves true wine connoisseurs may turn their nose up at a glass of Chardonnay. In the wine business these people are called “ABC’s”—meaning Anything But Chardonnay people. In reality this is not at all a fair statement and Chardonnay is a wonderful wine to pair with foods.

The problem with Chardonnay is that it’s gotten a bum rap lately and just now is starting to turn itself around. A while back Chardonnay producers seemed to be creating their wines with so much oak fermentation and malo-lactic fermentation that it was like cutting down a tree, spreading butter on it and eating it. These wines portrayed little—if any—fruit character at all. Now the style seems to be swinging back to the more balanced spectrum. A good, balanced Chardonnay will display aspects of baked apple, a little caramel/vanilla character and a higher acidity so it can stand up to foods. There are many producers who make Chardonnay ranging from the $1.99 Charles Shaw to the $1400 Coche-Dury out of Burgundy and anything in between. If you have not tried a Chard lately, go to your gourmet store and talk to the wine person there about good, balanced ones to try. You may surprise yourself.

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Next up we have Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio. They are actually the same grape—one is the French name, the other is Italian. Pinot Gris is actually the 2nd favorite white wine variety sold in the US. Surprised? You shouldn’t be! A cousin of Pinot Noir, this grape produces wine with a little more body than you’d find in Sauv Blanc. On the nose it offers up minerality and pear notes which go very well with seafood and lighter fare.

This is a wine that is fun to experiment with and it won’t break your budget doing it. You can try this variety from American producers and then you can try some wonderful Italian Pinot Grigio and then maybe some French Pinot Gris from the Alsace area might hit the spot. They are all different, and it is not only fun to try these from other places and producers, but also a great learning experience.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc (sometimes called Fume Blanc) is a very popular white wine that seems to fit the bill for many people. Don’t like the richness of Chardonnay, but you still like something fruity? Try Sauvignon Blanc. In the Summertime when it’s hot outside and you want something crisp and refreshing? Drink Sauvignon Blanc! This wine is a classic white wine varietal that is commonly planted in the Bordeaux and eastern Loire regions of France where it primarily got its start before coming over here to the US. These wines do not break your wallet…and because of the crisp acidity and citrus flavors, you can pair this with anything from coconut shrimp to nothing at all and just enjoy a glass by itself. Smelling this wine you can sense the lemon, grassy, grapefruit, and gooseberry aromas leaping out of the glass. This is a very aromatic wine! There are many producers in California who are making superb ones (try anything from Northern California). New Zealand is also making some wonderful examples of this wine, so don’t pass a chance to try those either!

Viognier

Viognier is becoming more popular here in the United States. Historically, winemakers of old back in the Rhone area of France where this grape originally comes from added Viognier to their Syrah to bring out a vibrant fruit quality. Winemakers today are doing the same thing, which means that more and more of this grape is being planted here, and thus more and more Viognier being made on its own as well. This wine smells very tropical with a banana and peach character—loaded with floral aromas as well. It is a wine that definitely pleases the olfactory senses! You may want to be a little careful while enjoying this wine as typically the alcohol levels frequently are 14.5 or higher…so it can really sneak up on you. Since this wine has a pronounced floral and fruity richness, pair this with richer foods such as prosciutto-wrapped melon or baked brie cheese.

Riesling

If you feel a little more spendy, Riesling may be your ticket. Riesling is made in primarily cooler climates where the grapes have a long time to hang on the vine. The most popular areas for Riesling (and most costly) come from Germany, and the Alsace region of France. Rieslings can range between bone dry, to very, very sweet. They have an uncanny ability to age—sometimes better than many red wines! Rieslings have aromas of intense mineral, earthy, petrol (wait, it’s a good thing!) and floral notes. Rieslings pair very well with Asian cuisine, and the off-dry versions will temper spicy food quite well.

Others

Other white wines that you may want to try if you see any:

• Gewurztraminer—Floral, spicy and sometimes sweet wine from Germany, but produced in the US too.
• Marsanne/Roussanne—both coming from the Rhone area of France, heavier flavor but a nice floral bouqet.
• Semillon—Primarily from the Bordeaux area of France and mainly used for blending into Sauvignon Blance and making late harvest sweet white wine. Citrus aromas, but very rounded.
• Muscat—From France, but planted all over the world. Most made into medium-sweet and dessert style table or fortified wines.

Try New Things!

There are many more white wine types, and some wineries will produce ones that you may not have heard of. If you’re in your local wine store and you see a white that you don’t recognize, ask the wine person in your department. As always, we encourage you to explore new things, and try new wines! Cheers!