
White Wine
Learn about white wine — the range of styles, how it’s made and more ...
What are the types and styles of white wine?
From lean and crisp to oaky and buttery, white wine comes in an array of styles and is produced in almost every wine region of the world. Although only about 25 pale-skinned grapes make the majority of the white wine produced, hundreds of native varieties are important not only to local culture, but to the diversity of the global wine world. White wine styles range from a simple and refreshing aperitif to a robust accompaniment to a hearty meal and some of the best can age for decades.
How is white wine made?
To preserve freshness, aromatics and primary fruit flavors, white wines are often fermented at cooler temperatures than reds. Unlike red winemaking, the colorless juice is not typically left in contact with the grape skins during the fermentation process. The winemaker has the choice to encourage or prevent malolactic fermentation, which turns the tart acidity of grape juice into the softer, creamier flavors of wine. Another important decision is whether and how to use oak—the barrels’ age, provenance and time holding the wine all help to determine the final style, in terms of both flavor and texture.
What gives white wine its color?
White wines can vary in color from nearly clear lemon-green to medium gold to pale orange or almost light brown, depending on grape variety, winemaking methods and age.
How do you serve white wine?
Ideally for storing white wine in any long-term sense, it should be at cellar temperature, about 55F. For serving, cool white wine down to about 45F to 55F. (Most refrigerators are colder than this.) As for drinking white wines, the best white wine glasses have a stem and a narrow bowl large enough to allow swirling without spilling.
How long does white wine last?
Opened, a bottle of white wine will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of days to a week, maybe longer. Unopened, white wines stay good for one year to, in some cases, several decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning to strategically store white wine, seek the advice of a wine professional.
- White Wine550
- Chardonnay321
- Sauvignon Blanc47
- Pinot Gris/Grigio32
- Riesling32
- Gewurztraminer24
- Other White Blends24
- Rhône White Blends12
- Viognier12
- Pinot Blanc11
- Chenin Blanc6
- Semillon6
- Muscat5
- Bordeaux White Blends3
- Marsanne3
- Other White Wine3
- Arneis2
- Cortese1
- Friulano1
- Garganega1
- Malvasia1
- Roussanne1
- Trebbiano1
- Vernaccia1
- Non-Vintage313
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Jermann Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Ferrari-Carano Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Trefethen Eshcol Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from California
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B.R. Cohn Joseph Herman Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Carneros, California
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Columbia Crest Semillon 1997Semillon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Bollini Reserve Pinot Grigio 1997Pinot Gris/Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Cecchi Vernaccia di San Gimignano 1997Vernaccia from Tuscany, Italy
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Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 1997Sauvignon Blanc from Chile
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Kunde Wildwood Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Errazuriz Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Chile
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Kunde C.S. Ridge Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Rutherford Hill Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay (half-bottle) 1997Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Pinot Blanc 1997Pinot Blanc from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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Cascade Ridge Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Trimbach Cuvee Frederic-Emile Riesling 1997Riesling from Alsace, France
- WS
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Firestone Sauvignon Blanc 1997Sauvignon Blanc from California
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Jamiesons Run Sauvignon Blanc 1997Sauvignon Blanc from Australia
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Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Benziger Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Stonehaven Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Australia
- WS
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ZD Wines Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Kunde Kinneybrook Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 1997Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP