White Wine Types

Usually prepared from grape juice by the process of fermentation, wine, is one of the most popular drinks the world over. The naturally available chemicals in grapes are such that fermentation is possible without adding enzymes, acids or sugars. Yeast is used to ferment grape juice and it is this organism which breaks down sugar in grapes and changes them to alcohol. There are a variety of wines produced and it all depends on the kind of yeasts and grapes used. There are two types of wines produced from grapes - white wine and red wine. The only difference between these two varieties is that white wines are produced by removing the skin from the grapes after which they are crushed, while red wines are produced without removing the skin. Some of the most common white wine types include Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. You may like to know more on different types of wine.

List of White Wine Types

There are a number of white wines available in the market and here we try to give you some of the most common and popular list of white wine types.

Pinot Grigio
Popular due to its tangy flavor, the Pinot Grigio is one of the most sought after white wines. Pinot Grigio grapes are abundantly grown in Italy and western coastal U.S. and are grayish-blue in color. Ranging from copper to golden yellow in color, this white wine type gives an aromatic fruity flavor, which improves as it ages after about two years. The best foods which complement this wine are crackers, cheese, light pastas, chicken and seafood. Read more on dry white wine types.

Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is mostly equated with Chardonnay and is a light, soft and fruity wine. The acidic content in this type of wine is high and are found in flavors of spices and apples. As it's highly acidic, the best foods to have along with this wine are sweet or salty foods. The best time to have Pinot Blanc is when it's still young as it doesn't age.

Gewürztraminer
Famous for its fruity flavor and pungent floral aroma, the Gewürztraminer wine does not give you a very refreshing feel, as compared to other varieties of wine. The grapes from which this variety is produced, is usually dry and crisp and the wine tastes like a sweet dessert. Pork, grilled sausages, Asian cuisines and other spicy foods are the best foods to have along with this white wine type. The major producers of this variety of wine are New Zealand and Australia.

Chenin Blanc
Abundantly found in California, South Africa and France, wine produced from Chenin Blanc grape variety tastes acidic and gives a thick feeling in the mouth. However, the taste of this white wine varies depending on the conditions in which it grows and the time in which it is harvested. Foods like spicy rice, seafood and white meats compliment this white wine type.

Riesling
Riesling wine, produced from Riesling grapes is produced in most wine producing countries of the world like Australia, Chile, Russia, Italy, South Africa, Germany and the U.S. Wines found in each of these countries vary, as the climatic conditions and the harvest times are different. It's taste varies as per its flavor and ranges from sweet to dry. The sweet ones taste like peaches, apricots and apples, while the dry ones taste like herbs and lemons. They are lighter as compared to Chardonnays and compliment well with pork, fish and chicken.

Chardonnay
The best and most popular white wine type produced from Chardonnay grapes, Chardonnay wine is enjoyed the world over due to its versatility. Depending on the place where grapes are produced, the flavors vary and are preferred by those who like fruit flavored wines. They compliment dishes like fish and chicken.

There are numerous other white wine types and you can easily find one which suits your taste and liking. All alcohol be it beer or wine, if consumed in excess is harmful for your health, so you should make sure that you consume it only in small quantities.