Guide to White Wine Varieties

White wine spans 36 primary varietals cultivated across 23 countries, with over 2,000 registered grape varieties capable of producing white wine. This range includes everything from bone-dry, unoaked Chablis—a classic expression of Chardonnay characterized by its crisp acidity and flinty minerality—to lusciously sweet, botrytized dessert wines reaching up to 220 g/L of residual sugar.

These styles highlight just how versatile white wine is and how each one is influenced by factors such as terroir, malolactic fermentation, sur lie aging, and oak maturation.

If that seems like a lot of wine jargon to sift through, don’t worry. We’re going to hash it all out and explain it all in this guide. Because for newer wine enthusiasts, understanding these variations helps in selecting wines that match their exact preferences.

At Valley Wine & Liquor in Herkimer, NY, our wine specialists help customers choose the best white wine depending on their preferences. We understand that while the variety can seem overwhelming, understanding the basic characteristics of different white wines helps in selecting the perfect bottle for any occasion.

White wines span a spectrum of flavors, from bone-dry to intensely sweet. The primary characteristics that define white wines include acidity, sweetness, body, and aromatic compounds.

Pinot Grigio leads the category of light-bodied white wines. Italian Pinot Grigio displays fresh apple, lemon, and almond notes, while Alsatian versions (labeled Pinot Gris) offer richer stone fruit flavors. These wines typically maintain 12-13% alcohol content and present high acidity.

Muscadet from France's Loire Valley delivers briny minerality with citrus undertones, making it a classic seafood pairing. Italian Verdicchio combines tart green apple with a distinctive almond finish. Both wines show best at 45-48°F in white wine glasses with smaller bowls to concentrate delicate aromas.

Riesling is known for its intense aromatics and precise acid structure. German Rieslings range from bone-dry (Trocken) to lusciously sweet (Trockenbeerenauslese), with kabinett and spätlese styles offering moderate sweetness. The grape produces wines with pronounced floral notes, stone fruits, and the distinctive petrol aroma that develops with age.

Gewürztraminer delivers unmistakable lychee and rose petal aromas. Full-bodied versions from Alsace can reach 14% alcohol while maintaining characteristic spice notes. New World versions tend toward a lighter, more floral style.

Chardonnay demonstrates remarkable versatility. Unoaked versions have green apple, citrus, and mineral notes. Barrel fermentation and aging add vanilla, butter, and toasted notes while increasing body and complexity. Chablis represents the purest expression of Chardonnay, with intense minerality and high acidity.

White Rhône varieties like Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne produce rich wines with pronounced stone fruit and honeysuckle characteristics. These wines benefit from larger bowls to release their intense aromatics.

Understanding sweetness in white wine requires familiarity with residual sugar measurements. Wines with less than 10 g/L residual sugar qualify as dry, while anything above 45 g/L is decidedly sweet. However, perceived sweetness depends heavily on acid balance

Winemakers control sweetness through fermentation management. Complete fermentation produces dry wines as yeast converts all sugar to alcohol. Interrupted fermentation retains natural grape sugars. Some regions, like Germany, categorize wines by must weight, indicating potential alcohol and sweetness levels.

Balanced sweet wines maintain high acidity to prevent cloying sweetness. Noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) concentrates sugars while adding complexity through partial grape dehydration. This process creates some of the world's most prized sweet wines.

Late harvest wines from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Moscato grapes concentrate sugars through extended ripening. These wines display intense honey, apricot, and tropical fruit notes while maintaining vital acidity.

Ice wines, primarily from Germany (Eiswein) and Canada, require harvesting frozen grapes, concentrating sugars and acids into tiny amounts of intense juice. These rare wines command premium prices for their combination of sweetness and purity.

French Sauternes blends botrytized Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, creating complex wines with honey, apricot, and subtle oak influence. Hungarian Tokaji Aszú measures sweetness by puttonyos (3-6), indicating increasingly concentrated botrytized grapes added to base wine.

White wine production requires precise temperature control and careful handling to preserve delicate flavors. The process begins with swift grape pressing, separating juice from skins before fermentation to prevent unwanted color and tannin extraction.

Most white grapes undergo whole-cluster pressing, applying gentle pressure to extract free-run juice. This yields the purest flavors without bitter compounds from seeds or stems. Secondary pressing produces juice with more phenolic compounds, often used in less premium wines.

Fermentation temperatures for white wines typically range from 45-65°F, significantly lower than red wines. Cool fermentation preserves volatile aromatics and produces fresher, fruitier wines. Stainless steel tanks allow precise temperature control and highlight varietal character.

Oak aging, when used, varies by style and tradition. New oak imparts stronger vanilla and spice notes, while neutral oak allows gentle oxidation without obvious wood flavors. Barrel fermentation, common in premium Chardonnay production, integrates oak character more subtly than post-fermentation aging.

White wine pairing follows basic principles of complementing or contrasting flavors while matching body and intensity. Acid serves as the primary bridge between wine and food, cutting through rich dishes and amplifying fresh flavors.

Light, crisp whites like Pinot Grigio pair naturally with seafood, matching the delicate flavors without overwhelming them. The wine's acidity acts like a squeeze of lemon, brightening the dish. Muscadet's salinity makes it particularly suitable for raw oysters and shellfish.

Medium-bodied aromatic whites handle stronger flavors. Riesling's acidity and touch of sweetness balance spicy Asian cuisine. Gewürztraminer's intense aromatics complement rich cheeses and pâtés. The wine's body should match the food's richness to prevent either element from dominating.

Full-bodied whites require equally substantial dishes. Oaked Chardonnay pairs well with cream sauces, roasted poultry, and rich fish preparations. Viognier's weight and stone fruit character complement lobster and scallops while standing up to mild curries.

Proper storage significantly impacts white wine quality. Store bottles horizontally at 50-55°F with 70% humidity. Unlike red wines, most whites don't require extended aging, though premium versions of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Champagne can develop for decades.

Different styles require specific serving temperatures to showcase their best characteristics:

• Light, crisp whites: 45-48°F
• Medium-bodied aromatic whites: 48-52°F
• Full-bodied whites: 52-55°F
• Sweet whites: 45-50°F

Temperatures below 45°F mute aromas and accentuate acidity, while serving above 55°F diminishes freshness and makes alcohol prominent.

Most white wines don't require decanting, as exposure to air can diminish delicate aromas. However, full-bodied whites like oak-aged Chardonnay may benefit from 15-30 minutes in a decanter to open up.

Glass choice significantly impacts wine expression:

• Light whites: Use smaller bowls to concentrate aromas
• Full-bodied whites: Choose slightly larger bowls for aromatic development
• Temperature retention: Select glasses with stems to prevent hand warmth from affecting wine temperature

At Valley Wine & Liquor at 326 South Caroline Street, Herkimer, NY 13350 we stock a carefully curated selection of whites from around the world, including local New York favorites. Our knowledgeable staff helps match wines to your preferences and occasions.

For personalized recommendations, visit our store, call (315) 867-5800, or email valleywineorders@gmail.com. Browse our complete selection at www.shopvalleywine.com, where you'll find detailed tasting notes and pairing suggestions for each wine. From casual sipping to special celebrations, we'll help you discover the perfect white wine for every moment.