Dry White Wine Varieties

White wine is traditionally produced from white grapes. Though its called white wine, its yellowish in color. The 'dry' attribute in dry white wine refers to the strict absence of a sweet taste. It is a popular type of wine in Europe, which is always served chilled. White wine is known to be smoother and more delicate compared to red wine. This article introduces the dry white wine varieties available throughout the world.

Origin of Dry White Wine Varieties

The original and the most popular dry white wines were first made in France and Germany. The distinguishing feature of all the dry white wine varieties that I will talk about here is their lightness and sublime flavor coupled with their aroma. They are all of light straw color with amber like clarity.

The dry white wine varieties, which are not imported from Europe are mostly produced locally in western and eastern coastal areas of United States. Dry white wine varieties are produced in some coastal California counties around San Francisco Bay. The climate characterized with cool winds and and fog in the counties like San Benito and Santa Clara are ideal for growth of the type of grapes required by dry white wine varieties. The reason is that in such a weather, the grapes ripen with a comparatively low sugar content and are characterized by high acid levels.

In eastern parts of United States, some dry white wines are made from grape varieties grown in Finger Lakes District of New York State, particularly the Lakes Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua. Some dry white wine varieties are also made in Ohio and New Jersey. They are quite popular and recognized by their unique fragrance, which is quite distinct from imported European dry white wine varieties.

Popular Dry White Wine Varieties

The taste and type of every one of the dry white wine varieties is influenced by type of grapes grown in the region, from which they are made. The quality and taste of grapes in turn is influenced by the local climate of the region. So every one of these dry white wine varieties, has the substance and soul of a region encased in it! The taste also depends on the method of wine making used. Here is the promised dry white wine list.

Sauterne
Sauterne is considered to be the best of the dry white wine varieties around the world, by wine connoisseurs. Sauterne is a district in France, to the south of Bordeaux region known for its wine. Among the many French wine varieties produced in Sauterne, the 'Wine Queen' is Chateau Yquem. The queen wine is grown from grapes spread over only 200 acres of land, so the production is quite low and hence very few lucky people round the world get to taste it! That is how it is. The good things in life are always few. Sauterne wines vary in range of sweetness from the very sweet to very dry. Sweet Sauterne with its syrupy flavor and light amber color is very popular with women. The alcohol content of this wine ranges from twelve to fourteen percent. Sauterne variety of dry white wine is also produced in Livermore valley, California. Sauterne is traditionally served cold.

Chablis
Owing its origin to the the Chablis district in France, this is one of the most expensive wines in the world. The reason is its seasonal and limited production. Made form the 'Golden Chasselas' and 'Burger Grapes' varieties, Chablis is known for its taste throughout France. Chablis is also best served cold.

Riesling
The Riesling is a German wine, which is more popularly known as Rhine wine. In United States, its known as Hock wine. It has a slightly greenish amber like color and has a strong acid taste with typical aroma. California creates its own version of this dry white wine with a higher sugar content. Riesling too, like all dry white wine types, is best served cold.

These were the three most popular dry white wine names, that come to my mind when I am thinking of having a wine of the strong variety. For more information read on, 'dry white wine types'. Choosing the right dry white wine is a matter of individual taste. However, I hope that I have narrowed down your search. So drink up any of these dry white wine varieties and decide!