Picking the perfect bottle to tantalize your taste buds on a summer’s eve can be tricky. If you haven’t already got a go-to grape or region, then deciding where to start can be baffling. Should you reach for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio? And, furthermore, which country produces the best – and best-value – white wine? Should you choose an Italian, French or antipodean bottle? Stick with finder and we’ll guide you through the essential flavors, most popular countries of origin, and the distinct characteristics offered by some of the US’s favorite types of white wine.
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Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc offers a refreshing accompaniment to an array of dishes from Chinese sweet-and-sour to a roast chicken dinner. The major wine regions producing this white are scattered across South Africa, France, the USA, and Argentina.
Like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc is available in oak-aged and unoaked variations and the effects are similar. Oak-aged bottles will offer essences of butterscotch, nutmeg, marzipan, and brioche, whereas unoaked varieties call on fruity fans of quince, pear, passion fruit, lime, and other equally tempting sweet, yet refreshing treats. There are several acidities on the market ranging from medium-high to high. Try the following!
- Menage a Trois Sweet Moscato White Blend Wine
- Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc
- Korbel Brut Rose Sparkling Wine
- Korbel Brut Sparkling Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is another crowd-pleaser. It is one of the oldest and most highly rated white wine grapes the globe has to offer. The very best bottles originate in the French Loire Valley and Bordeaux, as well as Marlborough, New Zealand.
Sauvignon Blanc differs from the majority of white wines. The flavors produced are distinctly green. If you opt for a Sauvignon Blanc that originates from a cooler climate, you will notice strong sensations of limes and green apples. Choosing a Sauvignon Blanc made in warmer climates will result in riper grapes that produce fruity flavors of peaches and passionfruit. The underlying effect of a great Sauvignon Blanc will take you on a journey through gooseberries and grass, finishing fresh and flavorsome with jalapenos and peppers. Try under $20 wines!
- Justin Sauvignon Blanc
- Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc
- Daou Sauvignon Blanc
- Starborough Sauvignon Blanc
- Bogle Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Even if you don’t know the first thing about white wine, chances are you’ve heard of Chardonnay. It’s one of the most popular white wines in the UK. This wine originated in Burgundy, France, but is now created all over the world. The first thing you’ll notice when you take that initial sip of Chardonnay is its complexity. One bottle can differ quite dramatically in flavor to the next. Chardonnay is an easy crowd-pleaser and is available either ‘oaked’ or ‘unoaked’, depending on your flavor preference.
Oaked Chardonnay varieties offer subtleties of vanilla, crème brûlée and even toast, while unoaked bottles are fruitier and generally medium-high in acidity, and will present a dash of zing that’s sure to excite your palate. Wine under $10 from the online liquor store ShopSK!
Moscato
If you haven’t got around to sampling a bottle of Moscato yet, there’s no time like the present. This sweet Italian wine is positively brimming with flavor. Strong, sweet fruit flavors dominate the experience. You’ll notice a fusion of peaches, lemons, oranges, apricots, and nectarines holding their place on the frontline. And yet, in the background, hints of vanilla, caramel, and jasmine await to make this a flavor that keeps on giving. Moscato is a medium-acidity wine that is commonly quite sweet in flavor. Must try wines here!
- Risata Moscato D’Asti
- Menage a Trois Moscato
- Barefoot Moscato
- Menage a Trois Sweet Moscato White Blend Wine
Riesling
If you’re looking for something a little different, Riesling is a different choice you must go for. This white originates in Germany and is unlike anything else on the white wine market. Riesling is an extremely aromatic white grape that gives sensations of pears, crisp apples, and peaches. If you’re a wine enthusiast with a keen palate, you may pick up on hints of honeycomb in there too. Whilst most people think of Riesling as a sweet wine, the truth is you’ll find it variations of sweetness and you can buy according to your personal taste. Give Riesling a try!
Pinot Blanc
If you’re looking for a versatile wine, Pinot Blanc is a great option. The best grapes are thought to originate from Europe, specifically Alsace (northeastern France), the Alto Adige wine region of Italy, and in areas of both Germany and Austria. Pinot Blanc is a grape that achieves a medium to full-bodied wine with a good level of acidity. Like Chenin Blanc and, of course, Chardonnay, it responds well to the process of oaking. Pinot Blanc can present different characters that include hints of apple and almond, and occasionally feature a smoky edge. If you like a tartier finish to your pallet, this is one to try.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is growing rapidly in popularity throughout the US, and when you look at the profile of this white, it’s not hard to see why. This wine is light, easy to drink, simple and subtle in flavor, and yet utterly refreshing. If you’re shopping for a bottle, it’s recommended to look out for one that originated in Northern Italy.
The most common characteristics of Pinot Grigio are a light, crisp and dry finish. Pair the wine’s characteristics with complementing aromas of lemon, green apple, and essence of blossoms and you’ll be amazed by its tasty simplicity.
Semillon
Sémillon is a considerably underrated white wine. Sweet varieties are commonly produced in France. And yet some of Australia’s most prestigious dry whites are Sémillon also. When Sémillon grapes are used to create sweet wine, an array of flavors present, including stone fruits such as apricots, peaches, and mangoes. To create a dry Sémillon wine, a special set of controlled conditions are essential to achieve quality. In the Hunter Valley situated slightly north of Sydney, the conditions are said to be almost perfect for producing unoaked, dry Sémillon.
