We want write a little about the different types of white wine that you can buy at your local wine store. For a beginner it can be intimidating and a little confusing having to deal with all the of different types of white wine lining the shelves. If we told you that there are in reality only about four major types of white wine that you need to worry about, wouldn’t that make things a little easier?
White wines are roughly divided into groups based on what grapes they are made of. The most popular types of white wines in the world today are Chardonnay, fairly closely followed by Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and then finally Rislinger.
Chardonnay
This is the grandfather of white wines, the most popular white wine type in the world, and the most famous. It originated in the Burgundy region of France, and has since spread worldwide. It is consider an easy grape to grow well, and therefore just about every wine region in the world produces a nice Chardonnay. Some more famous, and better than others of course.
A good Chardonnay has a nice rich texture and is somewhat heavier than other types of white wine. It has a nice fruity aroma, ranging from citrus, green apples apricots and pear in a lighter wine to dried mango and pineapple in a heavier wine. Because of the way Chardonnay is stored in oak barrels, it usually also has a hint of butter and oak to it. There has been a tendency for some producers to overdo the oak, and thereby almost destroying the fruitiness that is so important in this wine. Luckily , there has in recent years been a resurrection of more balanced wines on the marked. A good chardonnay with some acidity is a great food wine.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is the main subject of this entire website, so we won’t go into to much detail here. Sufficient to say it is in second position in terms of popularity. We have a lot of articles about Pinot Grigio. Start at our front page for an overview of Pinot Grigio or explore our links in the sidebar.
Sauvignon Blanc
Another very popular white wine, this time with both critics and wine drinkers. It originates from the Bordeauxr region in France, but today they are made all over the world. California makes some very nice Sauvignon Blanc wines, and so does Louvre valley as well as New Zealand. A Sauvignon Blanc has a strong acidic quality, and almost a sour first taste.
The aroma is also a little sharp and pungent, but beneath all that acidity lies a lot of grass, lemon and lime. Some peach and apricots aromas are also sometimes present. If you prefer a lighter wine than a Chardonnay, but still like the fruity quality, then a Sauvignon Blanc may well fit your bill. It goes well with seafood, paultry, salat and cheese, and it is consider a good thirst quencher.
Rislinger
This is an interesting white wine. While most experts will say it is the best white wine in the world, it is not a big seller, and a lot of people avoid it because they find it too sweet.
While it is true that American Riesling is usually a sweet wine, Rislinger doesn’t have to be soo sweet. The sweetness is a product of how the wine is made, not the grape itself. The german, french and austrian Rieslings can be very dry, and have a very nice aroma.
So if you are a winelover who prefer dry wines, you should still stop at the Riseling aisles and try one.
A good Riesling will have fruity aromas of peach, pears and apricots. If you delve a little deeper you can find a nice complex flower aroma, with a hint of spices. A dry Riesling is a good match for fish, sushi and even thanksgiving dinner. While a sweet one is a good desert wine.
Viognier
A wine from the south of France, but also grown in the warm climate of California, Texas and Australia. A full textured wine, with lemon, lime, peach, and wild flower aromas. Nice with chicken and other white meat that is not to spicy, since the flavors of the wine are strong and can balance out a simple meal nicely.
Other types of white wine
Other notable white wines other than the major four are:
- Gewurztraminer
- Chenin Blanc
- Semillon
Hope you enjoyed our little rundown of the different types of white wine available on the marked. Please leave us a comment below.
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