The beautiful thing about white wine is it's very versatile. It's great for a special occasion, but it's even better for no occasion at all. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling are the most famous varieties.
First up, Chardonnay. This mild and buttery white wine is the perfect go-to for any novice. Originating from Burgundy, this green skinned grape is now the most popular in the world. In 1976, an American Chardonnay beat a French Chardonnay in the Judgment of Paris and that started the American explosion of Chardonnay. This wine has a deep golden color, and depending on the climate, can produce a variety of flavors. In the warmer climates, like California, Argentina, Australia, you really taste the fruit of the apple, pineapple, and even a little melon. In the cooler climates, like France and Oregon, you'll get a much more acidic profile with some lime and lemon. Like most white wines, Chardonnay pairs well with fish, but because of its sometimes oaky and toasted flavors, this wine is an excellent partner for smoked fish, shellfish, and the texture complements the creaminess of risotto and winter soups.
Next up, Sauvignon Blanc. This crispy, dry white wine is an excellent wine to add to your repertoire. Sauvignon means wild, which sounds really fancy. This white wine has a whole spectrum of flavor profiles: Herbaceous, fruity, bold, acidic...
The warmer climates give you a passion fruit flavor, Whereas the cooler climates will deliver an herbal, mineral punch that pairs perfectly with oysters, veggies, and cheese.
Pinot Grigio gets a bad rap, and most people think it's boring, but the right Pinot Grigio can be one of the best choices on the wine list. The Italian-born dry wine gets his flavor from a punch of acidity and hints of lemon, limes, and green apple. Pinot is thought to be a relative of the Pinot Noir family, and unlike other white wines its grape is a bluish gray. Pinot Grigio comes in a handful of varieties depending on its climate. If it's warm, it's fruity and dry and if the temp is cool, like in Italy, you'll get a dry and mineral flavor. It pairs with a diverse group of foods and snacks, Seafood, poultry, cheese, salad, veggies, Etc.
And holding on to the back bumper of popular white wines is Riesling. Riesling is a German-bred white with an amazing depth of flavor. People's first thought of Riesling is "it's too sweet." And that's totally not true. The best way to tell if it's dry or sweet is to take a big sip of it. You can also take a look at the alcohol content. The higher the alcohol, the drier. So remember, high and dry or low and sweet. Riesling is the perfect partner for spicy Thai food, Mexican dishes, and really anything packed with bold spices and heat, especially the lower alcohol, more fruity Riesling because the sweet from the Riesling fights the heat in your mouth. High alcohol makes the heat hotter and can ruin your meal, but a slightly sweet Riesling can take the meal to the next level.
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