In the Vineyard: The Top 5 White Wines
Whether you drink sweet, dry, or sparkling wine, there is a white wine for everyone. White wines differ in color compared to reds because the skins are separated from the juice before the fermentation process. White wine makes up 49% of all wine purchased in the United States, making this wine a staple in many households. There are more than 1,300 types of grape varietals when it comes to producing wine. Some of the most popular white wines produced are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine and outsells all other white wines in the market. This wine is so popular because it can be grown in most wine regions in the world. The flavors of chardonnay can vary a lot due to the region, aging style, and soil type. Chardonnay generally has two different types; oaked and unoaked, which is a reference to the aging process. Oak barrels will typically deepen the flavor of the wine, make it richer, and a bit buttery. The most popular places that produce chardonnay are the Burgundy region of France and up and down the California Coast.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a wine beloved by many due to the wide variety of its tasting notes, ranging from honeydew to grapefruit, passionfruit, and more. This wine has a little more acidic than Chardonnay. French versions of Sauvignon Blanc have a more floral, and herbaceous flavor, while Napa Valley exemplars tend to be more fruity. The most popular regions that produce these wines are Napa Valley, Loire Valley, and Bordeaux.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a light-bodied, white wine with a bright and crisp taste. Common flavors that can be found in this variety are apple, pear, and lemon. Pinot Grigio from Italy is by far the most famous. The explosion of the brand Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio in the USA single-handedly propelled the popularity of this wine to unforeseen heights taking it from an almost-unknown wine from the north of Italy to a household name.
Riesling
Riesling can be sweet or dry depending on the level of ripeness at harvest and the traditions of the region in which it is grown. Most “new world” regions like California and Australia tend to make a wine with more sweetness than the “old world” regions like Germany and Austria. Some of the most common tasting notes are citrus fruits, such as lime and lemon, along with hints of spices, or notes of apple and pear. If you want to bring out different flavors in the wine, serve it at different temperatures. When served cold it will have more tart fruit flavors and less sweetness. When it is served “barely chilled” it will have more peach and nectarine flavors and higher perceptions of sweetness.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a very diverse wine and can be either sweet, dry, and crisp, or produce a sparkling wine. This wine originated in the south of France but is produced the most in South Africa today. Chenin Blanc has the capacity to make a wine of extraordinary different flavors. From slate, stone, and minerals to floral, fruity and bright. This ability to be so wide ranging has made it a very popular white wine over these past couple of decades.
Gabriel-Glas Favorites: White Wine
If you are looking for a new white wine to try, here are some of our recommended favorites!
Favorite Sauvignon Blanc
Favorite Chardonnay
Favorite Pinot Grigio
Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Pinot Gris 2019
Favorite Riesling
Favorite Chinen Blanc
No matter the type of wine you prefer to enjoy, Gabriel-Glas has you covered. All Gabriel-Glas wine glasses are truly universal meaning they are designed to cast a flattering light on all white wines–from sweet Riesling to minerally Chenin Blanc.
Shop some of our favorite glassware today!
