
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 Wine2350
- Chardonnay973
- Sauvignon Blanc282
- Riesling196
- Other White Blends165
- Pinot Gris/Grigio131
- Other White Wine115
- Viognier85
- Chenin Blanc62
- Bordeaux White Blends51
- Gewurztraminer51
- Rhône White Blends48
- Pinot Blanc31
- Semillon28
- Albarino26
- Muscat22
- Gruner Veltliner8
- Melon de Bourgogne8
- Cortese7
- Verdejo6
- Marsanne5
- Torrontes5
- Vernaccia5
- Malvasia4
- Roussanne4
- Falanghina3
- Garganega3
- Verdelho3
- Verdicchio3
- Vermentino3
- Aligote2
- Furmint2
- Godello2
- Trebbiano2
- Fiano2
- Arneis1
- Friulano1
- Greco1
- Muller Thurgau1
- Loureiro1
- Moschofilero1
- Viura1
- Non-Vintage313
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Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WE
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Sine Qua Non The Petition 2005Other White Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese 2005Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WS
- WE
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Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Marques de Caceres Rioja Blanco 2005Other White Blends from Rioja, Spain
- W&S
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Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
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Domaine des Baumard Carte d'Or Coteaux du Layon 2005Chenin Blanc from Loire, France
- WS
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Simi Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County, California
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Kistler Vineyards Stone Flat Vineyard Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc 2005Rhone White Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- W&S
- RP
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Bodegas Montecillo Blanco 2005Other White Blends from Rioja, Spain
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Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spatlese 2005Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Shoofly Buzz Cut 2005Other White Blends from Australia
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Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris 2005Pinot Gris/Grigio from Willamette Valley, Oregon
- W&S
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Bayten Buitenverwachting Riesling 2005Riesling from South Africa
- WS
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Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Chile
- WE
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Domaines Barons de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Jermann Pinot Grigio 2005Pinot Gris/Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Val de Sil Montenovo Godello 2005Godello from Spain
- W&S
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Marcassin Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay 2005Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- WS
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Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2005Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California