White Wines Explained

We know we love wine. The flavors, the aroma… but what do we really know about it? You have that one friend, yes, that knows exactly the different types or grapes and regions for each type of wine, but how much do you know? Here is a simple breakdown on one of our favorite types, white wines. Here are white wines explained.

White wines are typically a great spring and summer wine but can be enjoyed year long. The thing to really know is the grape skins and tannins. That could be an entirely different blog but just know that is what makes it different from red wine. Here are some of the most common white wines and their breakdowns.

Chardonnay

This isn’t your grandma’s wine anymore. Although hugely popular in the 90s, this is making a big comeback. Chardonnay is typically a dry wine with flavors of green apple, papaya, citrus, and pineapple. Compared to other dry wines, Chardonnay is more velvety and buttery. Chardonnay pairs well with fish, cream sauces, fruits, and soft cheeses. It may have started in France but now California produces most of this wine.

Glass of White Wine

Sauvignon Blanc

Age is but a number. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the oldest varieties around. It is a light and crisp dry wine. It contains tangy, fruity flavors including lemon, grapefruit, nectarine and kiwi over a grassy, herbal flavor. This wine pairs nicely with green vegetables, oysters, mild cheese, and fish. Sauvignon Blanc happens to do well in many different regions in the world.

Pinot Grigio

This is one wine with two personalities. You might confuse this with Pinot Gris, but don’t worry about it, they are made from the same grape. Gris and Grigio are light, zippy wines. It has a hint of fruity flavors, including citrus, fresh pear, and melon. They pair well with just about any food. Expect to see different versions from the West Coast, USA and Germany.

Moscato

Have a sweet tooth? This wine is just what you need. Also known as Muscatel or Muscadel, it is a sweeter wine that has flavors of peach, orange, and ripe apricots. It pairs nicely with a fruity dessert or even Thai food or spicy dishes. Many people prefer to start with a sweeter wine like Moscato when familiarizing themselves with other wine. We say there is nothing bad about a little sweetness.

Riesling

This is a wine everyone should try at least once. Riesling can be both a sweet and dry wine, depending on the style. There are delicate flavors of green apple, citrus, apricot, peach, and honeysuckle. Reisling often pairs well with fish, pork, salads, barbecue, and southwestern dishes. And can we just say, the wine smells good too!


This isn’t the ultimate white wine lovers guide but we hope you learned a little bit more about the wines you love or wines you might want to try. Let us know what your favorite white wines are in the comments below. Also, make sure to check out our wine menu at Garry’s Grill.

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