From light and crisp to fresh and herbaceous, aromatic and expressive, bold and textured, at Wine Empire, we’ve got it all!
The world of wine is exciting and complex, but also full of myths. One of the most common misconceptions is that white wine is cheap, simple, and not age-worthy. However, white wine can in fact be beautifully sophisticated, balanced, and delicious, and is a fantastic choice to please all palates.
That's why we’d like to invite you to explore your taste buds and surprise your family and friends with some fantastic white wine discoveries.
White Wine vs. Red Wine
White wine is very different from its red counterpart. How precisely does it differ?
First of all, white wine is made from white grapes that don’t have any red or purple color matter on their skins, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. Secondly, winemakers use different vinification techniques to make white wine; grape skins are pressed from the juice, and fermentation occurs with no skin contact, resulting in a light color, no astringency, and much lighter weight. Does this mean white wine is flat and simple? Not necessarily! Winemakers have various techniques to extract the best from each and every grape.
Did you Know?
Dry white wine has, in general, fewer calories than red wine. White wines tend to have lower alcohol than red wines, reducing calorie content. Sugars are also carbohydrates, so if you’re concerned about your calorie count, go for a dry low-alc white.
More info and FAQ belowSearched for: white wines
Frequently Asked Questions About White Wine
Where is white wine made?
White wine is made all around the world!
How do I pair white wine?
An easy-to-remember rule of thumb is to always try to match the food intensity and complexity with the wine.
White wine with steak. Why not?
Bold and dry wines such as an oaky Chardonnay from Napa, or a Southern France or Australian Viognier or Marsanne, can be a good idea. More complex wines such as a dry old Riesling or a White Rioja might work as well.
White wine with fish
Crisp and zesty white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Albariño are a fantastic match to lighter tasting foods like lean fishes (sea bass, black sea bass, sole, and tilapia). Fresh or roasted vegetables, and even cream and oil-based sauces, are also great choices with lighter wines.
White wine with chicken
Cooking chicken with herbs like sage or lavender? A floral and aromatic variety such as Viognier or Torrontes would make a great way complementary pairing. Alternatively, if you’re cooking white meats with green herbs, Sauvignon Blanc is the way to go.
Information About White Wine
White grapes are grown in all major wine regions of the world, and there is a huge spectrum of different styles and fun options to explore—little wonder the white wine category is gaining popularity among even the most experienced wine drinkers.
What are the advantages of white wine? They are versatile, refreshing, food-friendly, and can please a wide range of palates.
Discover Your Taste
Three significant aspects differentiate white wine styles: acidity, sweetness, and fruit character. The balance of these three elements indicates a white wine's quality.
Acidity: Crispy, bright, and refreshing are attributes commonly used to describe white wine, and each of these describes the acid levels. Cold-climate countries such as New Zealand, Germany, and Austria, for example, tend to produce wines with higher natural acidity. Warmer winemaking regions such as Southern France, Australia, and Napa tend to have moderate natural acidity.
Sweetness: White wine provides a much broader spectrum of sweetness levels than its red counterpart. The term dry (and bone dry) means the wine has no sugar. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Albarino, and Gruner Veltliner are most commonly made in a dry style. Some wines fall between dry and off-dry, including most New World Chardonnays, Rieslings, Viogniers, and Pinot Gris. Some other wines such as Sauternes and "late harvest" bottlings of grapes such as Riesling and Chenin Blanc are always very sweet.
Fruit Character: Based on the climate and grape variety, white wines can express different flavors and aromas. Wines from cold and moderate winemaking regions such as Chablis in France, Greece, Northern Italy, and Rias Baixas in Spain tend to express a citrusy or zesty character. Warmer areas such as Barrosa in Australia, Rioja, and Central Valley in California produce richer, denser, and riper fruit profiles. The grape varieties themselves are also responsible for providing different flavor profiles; aromatic grapes such as Muscat, Torrontes, and Gewürztraminer are known to display floral notes, while others like Sauvignon Blanc tend to be more herbaceous and "green."
Does any of this sound appealing to you? Let us steer you in the right direction!
The Types of White Wine
Bold and Dry
If you’re usually a red wine drinker, you might enjoy starting your journey here:
- Chardonnay Oaked
- Sémillon
- Viognier
- White Rioja
Crisp and Zesty
Looking for a refreshing drink on a sunny spring/summer afternoon?
- Albariño
- Assyrtiko
- Unoaked Chardonnay / Chablis
- Chenin Blanc
- Cortese / Gavi
- Garganega / Soave
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
Fresh and Herbaceous
Feel like drinking something light and fresh (normally also dry) while cooking?
- Grüner Veltliner
- Sauvignon Blanc / Sancerre
- Vermentino
- Vinho Verde
Floral and Fragrant (often slightly sweet)
Looking for a wine to chill with near the pool or while hanging around in the garden?
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