How is White Wine Different From Red Wine?
To make red wine, the skin and seeds are kept intact during fermentation to create the colour, flavour and tannins. Many white wines are also made using red grapes but the skins are removed earlier to focus on acidity, as opposed to tannins, so the flavour profiles become lighter, crispier, and sharper.
Just like any wine, it is the regions or the terroir that influence the flavours. The most popular types of white wines are:
Popular Types of White Wines
Chardonnay Wine
Chardonnay is a versatile and popular white grape. Famous chardonnay regions include Burgundy in France, California in the United States and Australia. Weather conditions heavily impact the flavours of chardonnay. In cold climates, the wine tastes crisper with notes of green apple and citrus, whereas in warmer areas chardonnay displays more tropical fruit notes. For more toasty, nutty, and caramel-like flavours, winemakers will age chardonnay in oak barrels. So, there’s a chardonnay for everyone.
Fantastic chardonnay is produced in Australia in regions like Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Northern Tasmania, Eden Valley and more. This variety has great aging potential and is often used for making Champagne.
The versatility of chardonnay wine extends to food pairings too. Pair your favourite bottle of chardonnay with light dishes like salads and seafood, but also richer dishes like roasted chicken, creamy pasta and roast pork.
Riesling Wine
Riesling wine is well regarded for its aromatic qualities and vibrant acidity. Often off-dry and sweeter, flavour notes can range from zesty citrus notes to honeyed sweetness.
Crisp and refreshing riesling wine is best produced in colder climates, perfect for slow ripening. It flourishes in the Clare Valley in South Australia and the Eden Valley in the Barossa. Besides South Australia, Riesling wine production is gaining popularity in Tasmania.
Riesling’s flavour profile is perfect to cut through briny foods, making it a great pairing for simple seafood dishes, as well as spicy Asian dishes.
Semillon Wine
Semillon white wine from the Bordeaux region in France is perhaps the most versatile wine of them all. Semillon can range from dry and crisp to lusciously sweet. These grapes have few tannins, medium acidity, medium body and almost oily consistency. Australia is the second largest producer of Semillon wines after France.
Some of the finest Semillon wines in the world are produced in the heart of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley, Australia. The Semillon grapes are resistant to the spring cold and thrive in the slightly warmer region.
For the best Semillon tasting experience, pair the wine with chicken, pork and raw fish dishes like oysters, and ceviche. For vegetarians, Semillon can be enjoyed with fresh crunchy salads and grilled summer vegetables.
Sauvignon Blanc Wine
Sauvignon blanc has a herbaceous taste with bright fruity flavours like passionfruit and gooseberries. The sauvignon blanc vines grow best in sunny climates, but not too hot. If you’re looking for a refreshing-tasting and approachable white, sauvignon blanc is the ultimate white wine to start with.
Major sauvignon blanc production comes from the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France, and also from the Marlborough region in New Zealand, which has gained great acclaim. There are also plenty of bottles produced in the USA and South Africa.
Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect pick for fish and shellfish lovers. Think lobsters, prawns, and squid. For lighter meals, sauvignon blanc pairs excellently with grilled chicken salads tossed in bright vinaigrettes.
Moscato Wine
Moscato wine is famous for its delightful sweetness and is known as the dessert-like white wine among all the varietals. Produced with Muscat Blanc grapes (one of the oldest grapes in history), these wines typically have a low ABV.
Originally from Italy, you can now find great Moscato wines made in Australia and the USA. Aromatic and very light with plenty of ripe fruit flavours, pair Moscato wine with any flavour-packed cuisine. Think Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes, with plenty of spice. The perfect contrast for Moscato’s flavours.
Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigio Wine
Pinot Gris is a full-bodied and often slightly off-dry style of white wine. It has refreshing acidity and rich texture with a diverse flavour profile ranging from dry to sweet.
Pinot gris from France has ripe orchard fruit flavours, with a hint of spice, and a distinctive mineral character. In Italy, it is known as the pinot grigio and is lighter, and crispier with more citrusy notes. In New Zealand, the pinot gris has bright acidity, making it a very versatile white wine.
Pinot Gris is the perfect wine to pair with creamy sauces, such as rich luscious pasta. Not forgetting vegetables, lighter pinot gris are great with antipasto platters, grilled vegetables and bruschetta.
Shop for Excellent White Wine Varietals at BWS
Explore this tasty category of wine at BWS, the most convenient place to shop for all alcoholic and zero%* alcohol drinks. We have exciting deals, affordable prices and friendly staff to guide you through all your shopping needs. You can also shop online for a convenient delivery service from the BWS bottle shop near you that brings your favourite white wine to your doorstep. Cheers to that!