
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 Wine145
- Chardonnay88
- Sauvignon Blanc13
- Other White Blends9
- Riesling7
- Garganega4
- Bordeaux White Blends3
- Chenin Blanc3
- Rhône White Blends3
- Pinot Gris/Grigio2
- Albarino1
- Assyrtiko1
- Friulano1
- Gewurztraminer1
- Godello1
- Gruner Veltliner1
- Malvasia1
- Melon de Bourgogne1
- Other White Wine1
- Pinot Blanc1
- Verdicchio1
- Viognier1
- Carricante1
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Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc 2017Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- JS
- CG
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Clos des Lunes Lune d'Argent 2017Bordeaux White Blends from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
- JD
- RP
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Clos des Lunes Lune Blanche 2017Bordeaux White Blends from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
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Roserock by Drouhin Oregon Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
- D
- JS
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Ladoucette Baron de L Pouilly Fume 2017Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly-Fume, Loire, France
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Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Jadis 2017Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- WE
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GEN5 Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Lodi, California
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Yalumba Samuel's Collection Eden Valley Viognier 2017Viognier from Eden Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- D
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- JS
- WS
- WW
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Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- JD
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- JS
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Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Les Clous 2017Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WW
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Chateau Rieussec R de Rieussec Blanc 2017Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WW
- RP
- JD
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Stonestreet Upper Barn Vineyard Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Maison L'Envoye Bourgogne Blanc 2017Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
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Rudd Sauvignon Blanc 2017Sauvignon Blanc from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles Blanc 2017Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WE
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Catena Alta Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
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Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico 2017Garganega from Soave, Veneto, Italy
- V
- WE
- JS
- JD
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St. Michael-Eppan Sanct Valentin Pinot Grigio 2017Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Trim Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from California
- WE
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Baileyana Firepeak Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Edna Valley, Central Coast, California
- TP
- W&S
- WE
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Poseidon Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- WE
- WW
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Chamisal Vineyards Monterey Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Monterey, Central Coast, California
- WW
- RP
- WE
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The Federalist Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Mendocino, California