White Wines

Almost every white wine is made with white grapes, though it is possible to make white wine using red grapes. This is because when white wine is made, the juice is separated from the skins before the fermentation process. The juice does not absorb the color of the skins. For the same reason, white wine has much less tannin than red.

The list of white wines below refers to the variety of grape used to produce the wine. Some wines, such as Chablis, are named after the region in which they are produced.

Probably the most popular of the white wines in recent years, particularly in the United States, Chardonnay grapes are extremely adaptable and are grown all over the world. The most famous Chardonnays come from the Burgundy region in France.

Almost all Chardonnays are oaked. For the best wines, this means they are aged in expensive oak barrels. Less expensive wines are usually soaked in oak chips instead. The oak treatment can give Chardonnay a taste of smoke or vanilla. Other flavors often present with or without oak include butter, apple, or pineapple. The oak also helps Chardonnay age excellently.

Chardonnay is one of the three grapes (along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) that are used to make Champagne and sparkling wine.

One of the most distinctive of all wines, the best Gewürztraminer wines come from Germany or the Alsace region of France. It has a spicy or floral aroma and flavors can include roses, cloves, and cinnamon.

Called Pinot Grigio in Italy and Pinot Gris in most other places, these grapes are darker in color (Gris means gray) than other white grapes.

A medium-bodied wine that tastes of fruit such as apples or peaches, Pinot Gris is particularly successful in the Alsace region of France. It also does well in Italy and California.

The best Riesling wines come from Germany and the Alsace region of France. Though it will not win any popularity contests, its quality rivals even the best Chardonnays. Light and refreshing, Riesling wines have a fruity or floral taste.

Dry and crisp, Sauvignon Blanc wines usually include flavors of grass or herbs, though sometimes melons can be detected. Sometimes called Fume Blanc, it is rarely oaked but is often blended with other white grapes, especially Semillon.

Wines made from Semillon grapes age very well. It is often blended with other grapes, including Sauvignon Blanc. However, some of the best white wines from Australia are made with unblended Semillon grapes. It is also very important in the Bourdeaux region of France.

Semillon wines sometimes have a slight taste of herbs, but often taste of fruit such as figs.