Various Types of White Wine

Types of White Wine

There are many different types of white wines available throughout the world. There are crisp, tart, aromatic and expressive. Some people fowever still think that white wines are not as sophisticated as red wines. White wine types are cultivated in every single wine-growing region around the world for a reason. There are hundreds of varietals and variations showcasing a range of smells, sights and tastes. Wine rouses pleasure with various food. Almost any dish can be matched with many types of wines. People have different palates and inclinations: everyone will make their own combinations. For example most people will love cheese or poultry with a young white (any cheese with Chardonnay, goat cheese with Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet). Spice, garlic, vinegar and raw fruits tend to affect wine tasting negatively. Red meat should be avoided with white wines or sweet wines.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most popular selling white wine in the United States. It is also one of the more complex wines. It has a wide range of tastes. Some are full in body with hints of oak, butter and spice. Others have a medium body and are gold and velvety with notes of fruit, nuts, or vanilla.There are even some that have a baked apple and caramel flavor with a higher acidity. This wine is best paired with fish (even salmon) and chicken dishes.

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio are actually the same grape. Pinot Gris is the next in popularity to the Chardonnay in the US. This wine has a little more body than you'd find in Sauv Blanc. It goes well with seafood and lighter fare.

 

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is also a very popular white wine. It is not as rich as Chardonnay, but still has a fruity taste. Sauvignon Blancs are affordable, and because of the crisp acidity and citrus flavors, you can pair this with anything from coconut shrimp to nothing at all. Upon smelling this wine you can sense the lemon, grassy, grapefruit, and gooseberry aromas leaping out of the glass. This is a very aromatic wine! If you want a crisp and refreshing wine, try Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is best paired seafood, poultry, and salads.

Semillon

This wine are made from overripe sémillon grapes. Sémillon is the major white grape in the Bordeaux region of France. It has fig-like character and is often blended with sauvignon blanc to create a syrupy, full-bodied wine that goes well with fish. Dry Semillon also goes well with clams, mussels, or pasta salad. Sémillon is also grown in Chile, Argentina, Australia, and California.

Moscato

The moscato wine comes from the muscat family of grapes. It is often sweet and fruity, with a musky aroma. Moscato wines are recognized by anyone who has eaten a Muscat table grape. This wine is actually good on its own without food but sweet wines will pair with dessert.

Zinfandel

Zins has a wide range of flavor characteristics from big and hearty to light and delicate. Zinfandel is lighter in color than the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Zin has a bold taste due to it's moderate tannin and high acidity. Most of these wines have higher alcohol levels ranging from about 14 – 17% ABV.

Gewürztraminer

Gah-vurtz-tra-meener) This wine has a very aromatic variety. It has fruity flavors with aromas of rose petals, peaches, lychees, and allspice. A Gewürztraminer seems generally not as refreshing as other types of dry whites. Gewürztraminer is most popular in wines from Alsace, Germany, the U.S. West Coast, and New York. Gewürztraminer wine is best for sipping and pairs well with Asian food, pork and grilled sausages.

Riesling

Riesling wines are much lighter than Chardonnay wines and they usually have fresh apple aromas. Rieslings taste fresh and they tend to get tastier as they age. Germany's great Rieslings are made slightly sweet, with steely acidity for balance. Riesling from Alsace and the Eastern U.S. is also tasty but with a different style. They are also aromatic but are drier (not sweet). The dry versions of Rieslings pair well with fish, chicken and pork dishes.