There are amny different varieties of white wine that is available in the market. To choose the best among them is a difficult task.
There is nothing like unwinding after a tiring day at work, with a glass of fine white wine. White wine, whether consumed as an aperitif or paired with seafood and desserts, tastes absolutely delicious. Many wine tasting festivals as well as wine and cheese parties are held exclusively to savor the different types of wines. White wine is made by fermenting white grape juice. The skin of the grapes is not used for the fermenting process and this is what differentiates a white wine from a red wine.
The kind of flavor and aroma that a white wine has depends on a number of factors, like the type of grapes used, the region where the grapes are cultivated, the climate and terrain of the region and even the wine making process itself. There are many types of white wine and many fine white wine that are popular are Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
Top 10 White Wines
When we talk of the white wine, a bottle of wine from the same vineyard will taste different for each batch. This is because, the quality and character of grapes used for making a particular batch in one year varies greatly from another year. Usually the term vintage is used for defining a wine that has been bottled using grapes from one particular region grown in a particular year. This is the reason why you hear that a particular bottle of Pinot Noir, belonging to a certain year is sold for thousands of dollars. Some of the best white wine comes from the region of France and Italy. Let us take a look at some of the best and top quality white wines.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best dry white wine that originated from the Loire Valley region in France. Nowadays, Sauvignon Blanc wine made from grapes grown in New Zealand are among the most popular and prized ones. It is a medium-bodied wine with a complex flavor which is crisp and fresh with a hint of citrus and herbs. It is not a sweet wine and it is fairly acidic in taste. It pairs well with seafood as well as rich poultry dishes and it can also be used as an accompaniment to appetizers. Of all the dry white wine varieties, Sauvignon Blanc has the best flavor and texture.
Pinot Grigio
The Pinot Grigio is one of the top white wines that has a light-bodied character with a very light and crisp flavor. It is a very pale colored wine and it comes with a hint of tropical citrus fruits, pears and melons. It is a very smooth wine and is silky in texture. It pairs well with seafood and white fish as well as light pastas and risottos.
Muscat Wine
This is one of the best sweet white wine made from muscat grapes cultivated in Australia, Italy and Greece. It is a sweet wine with a fruity and floral flavor with a subtle hint of citrus and a musky aroma. This white wine can be enjoyed on its own or can be paired with desserts and sweets. It is one of the most popular and best dessert wines.
Chardonnay
Considered the best and the most popular white wine, this is a very versatile wine that pairs well with almost any food. It comes in a wide range of flavors which varies according to the vineyard it is from. The fresh and fruity tones of a Chardonnay pairs well with seafood as well as creamy poultry dishes. Its acidic texture with a hint of citrus and melons along with a subtle undertone of fresh green apples and pears is a perfect foil against the creaminess of a poultry dish.
Riesling
Riesling white wine originated in Germany and it is a pale colored white wine with a unique taste and aroma. Riesling white wines comes in both dry and sweet versions, making them ideal to use as dessert wine as well as accompaniment to the main course. They have a complex flavor with sharp tones of apple and peach along with a subtle overtones of honey and spices. The sweeter Rieslings are some of the best white wine that can be paired with rich and creamy desserts like crème brûlée and chocolate mousse.
Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer white wines are full-bodied wines that comes in both semi sweet and dry variations. These are comparatively young wines, made with grapes that are grown primarily in France, New Zealand and Australia. These silky textured wines have a hint of spices like nutmeg and cinnamon and the flavor base has overtones of pumpkin, apricot, honey and rose. They are best paired with spicy and flavorsome dishes that has a tangy note to it.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc are made in the region of France, California and South Africa and they are one of the best white wine that are full-bodied with an aroma of vanilla and honey. It is best paired with fresh salads, seafood and white meat dishes. It comes in both dry as well as semi sweet varieties.
Pinot Blanc
It is a very lightly flavored white wine and is best savored with seafood, citrus salads, cheeses and mild sauces. It is one of the best wine for cooking since it does not have a sharp flavor or aroma that would change the taste of the dish. It is best savored with different kind of cheeses as it is slightly acidic in taste.
Colombard
Colombard is a much-loved white wine in Australia and the grapes used for making these wines come from a warmer climate. It is a full-bodied, silky textured white wine that has a hint of apricot and honey. It is slightly acidic and is sometimes blended with Chardonnay white wine and bottled.
Chablis Grands Cru
Chablis Grands Cru is a pale golden-yellow colored white wine that is aged for 5 to 6 years. The grapes for this white wine is harvested from just seven vineyards and is much prized. It is a fairly acidic wine with citrus overtones and it pairs well with seafood and salads. It has a hint of pear, white currant and spices that gives this wine a light yet smoky aroma and flavor.
Dry white wines should be savored with white meat for the best food pairing. White wines are incredibly versatile and different white wines have different taste and aroma.