White wine

The most popular grapes for white wine

• Chardonnay – the world’s most versatile white wine grape. In Burgundy it produces wines with minerality and structure, while Californian and Australian Chardonnay are often richer and barrel-aged.
• Sauvignon Blanc – intense, aromatic and fresh with acidity. Particularly known from Sancerre, Marlborough and Loire.
• Riesling – high acidity, low alcohol and a variety of styles from dry to sweet. Primarily from Germany and Alsace.
• Grüner Veltliner – Austria's signature grape with spicy freshness and peppery notes.
• Chenin Blanc – often underestimated grape from the Loire and South Africa with great aging potential.

Styles and flavor profiles

White wine can range from lean and mineral to creamy and full-bodied. Some wines are fermented and aged in steel to maintain freshness, while others gain complexity through fermentation and aging in oak barrels or lees. Acidity, alcohol, and residual sugar play a crucial role in the balance of the wine.

In cool climates, such as Mosel and Chablis, wines with high acidity and low alcohol are created. In warmer climates, such as California or the Rhône, ripe fruit notes and higher alcohol percentages dominate. This makes white wine one of the most versatile categories in the wine world.

Important wine regions for white wine

The world's best white wines come from both classic European regions and newer overseas regions. Among the most recognized areas are:

• Burgundy (France) – especially Chablis, Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet for Chardonnay.
• Mosel and Rheingau (Germany) – razor-sharp Riesling with a long lifespan.
• Loire (France) – Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre and Chenin Blanc from Vouvray.
• Marlborough (New Zealand) – world famous for intense and fruity Sauvignon Blanc.
• Western Cape (South Africa) – fresh Chenin Blanc and experimental blends.

Frequently asked questions about white wine