What You Should Know About White Wines
White wines differ from red wines primarily in the color of the grape. In red wines, the skin of the red grape is left in, to give the wine its distinctive hue. White wines can be made from white grapes, or they can be made from red grapes that are pressed quickly in order to separate the juice from the skin.
They also differ in flavor, in that they are lighter and more refreshing than reds. White wines are typically served in the spring and summer, with lighter foods like fish and salad, while heavier red wines go down best in the winter.
Here are four white wines you are likely to encounter on supermarket shelves or in a wine shop.
Chardonnay
This is the most popular white wine in the world. Chardonnay grapes can grow in a wide variety of climates, and according to Wikipedia, growing Chardonnay grapes is an easy way for a new wine-growing region to make its entry onto the international wine stage. The happy result for the consumer is that Chardonnay is relatively inexpensive, with a quality bottle available for under $15 according to About.com. It is known for its buttery flavor, and may also have undertones of apple, melon, and citrus.
Pinot Grigio
This Italian white wine gets a bad rep among connoisseurs, who consider its flavors simplistic. However, it is very popular in the U.S. It also has many defenders, like Food and Wine author Lettie Teague, who recommends the 2004 Palmina Alisos from Santa Barbara County to change your mind about Pinot Grigio. Cal-Italia.com advises pairing Pinot Grigio with sauteed fish to bring out the acidity in its flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a very dry wine that can sometimes have an aggressive, flinty flavor according to Wine Pros. Though Sauvignon Blancs grown by different producers vary a good deal, the most consistent component of a Sauvingon Blanc is an acidity that makes it a good pairing with pungent foods like cheese.
Riesling
Riesling is grown primarily in Germany. Its mild, sweet flavor makes it a great companion for spicy foods, according to Wine Pros. Typically, it tastes like fruits with stones in them, such as apples and pears. Growers of Riesling grapes actually look for them to rot, which they do with great ease. This rot makes the sugar more concentrated, giving Riesling its signature taste.