At the risk of sounding oh so pedantic, white wine is the paler sibling of some people's favored reds. Unlike their bolder counterparts, white wines offer a refreshing and diverse journey for the palate. Almost always made from light-skinned grapes (with the uncommon exception called "blanc de noirs", that is, white wine made from removing the skin of red-skinned grapes), white wines encompass a spectrum of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.

Some of you might know that old go-to: that white wine pairs well with fish. But you'd be surprised at how little most people know about white wines over red. We've done the red, and now we shall do the whites! Let's find out about some of the grapes behind some of your favorite vino blancos, so you can appreciate it a little more next time you take a sip.

Chardonnay

We'll start off nice and easy with a popular name many have heard of before. Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular white grape varieties, and you'll be hard-pressed to not see its wines on a single wine menu, regardless of where you are.

Some call it the king of white grapes, reigning supreme for its remarkable versatility. Tasting notes vary greatly depending on terroir and upbringing; Crisp and unoaked Chablis from France has citrus and green apple notes, while the warmer Napa Valley sunshine coaxes richer expressions such as pineapple. Aged in oak barrels, these wines unveil layers of complexity – creamy vanilla, toasted nuts, and ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot.

This early-budding and early-ripening variety is relatively easy to grow. The grape also has an additional feature of rapidly losing acidity when it ripens. Springtime frost is also a known enemy, as Chardonnay is an early-budding vine that can take great damage during this crucial period.

While it finds its origins in the legendary wine region of Burgundy, France, it is now grown all over the world from Australia to California.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc is a white grape variety known for its crisp, dry wines. The vine has a late budding but ripens early, which allows it to perform well in sunny climates that has lukewarm heat levels.

It is the quintessential "grassy grape," thriving in cool climates and favoring a palate that is refreshing no matter how many sips in you are. In cooler climates, the grape has a tendency to produce wines with noticeable acidity with notes of grass, elderflower, citrus and gooseberry. In warmer climates, it can develop more tropical fruit notes at the cost of a reduced aroma, leaving mild notes of grapefruit and peach.

The traditional home of Sauvignon is in France, especially within the wine-growing regions of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. However, other regions have adopted the popular grape. For example, New Zealand's Marlborough region has become synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc, where sunshine coaxes out expressive tropical fruit notes like passion fruit and guava alongside the classic citrus character.

Riesling

Ranking among the top three white grape varieties worldwide, Riesling is a close friend to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The home of Riesling is the Rhine region of Germany, especially the wine-growing sub-regions of Mosel and Rheingau.

Sunshine, cooler temperatures and long autumns create the perfect conditions for grapes to ripen slowly. Riesling offers a spectrum of styles, from bone-dry (Trocken) to luxuriously sweet dessert wines (Eiswein). In between lie captivating expressions like Spätlese or Auslese, where sweetness balances with acidity in varying degrees.

Riesling wines are mostly drunk while young when they are more aromatic with notes of apples, peach, berries, honey, rose blossom or cut green grass, and usually a crisp taste due to a higher acidity. 

Riesling has a naturally high acidity and range of flavours that make it suitable for extended aging, some of which are aged up to hundreds of years. Of the various ways the flavor might evolve, some unusual tertiary notes noted include kerosene or rubber.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, is a captivating grape variety that offers a spectrum of styles depending on where it's grown and how it's vinified.

The grape is actually a mutation of the Pinot Noir variety, but is more versatile and easier to grow, favoring warmer conditions

Made from pinkish-gray skinned grapes, it can range from light and crisp with citrus and pear notes to richer, fuller-bodied expressions with hints of honey and spice. Cooler climates tend to produce wines with a zesty acidity, while warmer regions allow the grapes to ripen further, resulting in wines with a touch of sweetness and stone fruit character. 

Pinot Gris is also especially paired with seafood, light pasta dishes, or even creamy cheeses.

Sémillon

Used to make both dry and sweet white wines. The most famous Sémillon wine producers, are based in France’s legendary Bordeaux wine region. Dry wines are referred to as Bordeaux Blanc.

It is a variety that thrives in sunshine and fairly resistant to disease, although its thin skin sometimes causes sunburn. It is often blended into Sauvignon Blanc.

Sémillon wine is said to commonly have youthful expressions of citrus and green apple. Aged wines develop a honeyed character, sometimes with hints of toast or lanolin. Depending on the region, Sémillon can be light and crisp, perfect for a summer day, or richer and fuller-bodied. 

In addition to Bordeaux in France, Sémillon can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, and Argentina.

Gewurztraminer

Quite a mouthful, Gewürztraminer (Gur-vert-stra-mee-nur) wines can range from dry to off-dry or even slightly sweet, but all share a characteristic balance between their natural sweetness and a bright acidity.

It is a white, aromatic grape variety that is named for a German-speaking province of Italy. But Gewürztraminer traditionally hails from Alsace, the French wine region along the German border. 

If Sémillon is a hardier white grape variety, this one is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Gewürztraminer is especially sensitive to both soil and climate, and is particularly at risk of disease and frost damage.

They are known for their exotic aromas – think lychee, rosewater, and tropical fruits like mango and pineapple – alongside hints of ginger and spice. Unsurprisingly, they pair quite well with aromatic dishes like Asian cuisine or spicy foods.

Viognier

Pronounced vee-own-yay, this is a white grape variety that is most commonly grown in France, California and Australia, this grape has roots in the Rhone wine region of France. 

Viognier is a difficult variety to nurture. Prone to diseases like powdery mildew, it's main issue are its low and unpredictable yields. If not picked when perfectly ripe, the flavor of its resultant wines can be greatly affected.

Viognier is known for its perfume-like character, often showcasing aromas of honeysuckle, apricot, peach, and even hints of tangerine. Its wines tend to be dry on the palate, with a refreshing acidity that complements the fruitiness. Some Viogniers, especially those aged in oak barrels, can develop additional complexities like vanilla or spice.

Chenin Blanc

Originally hailing from the Loire Valley of France, South Africa has surprisingly surpassed the region to be the top producer of Chenin Blanc wines. It is a variety of grape that is relatively easy to grow, and its neutral nature allows for great versatility in absorbing the region's terroir, regardless of where its grown.

Thick-skinned and naturally high in acidity, they can be vinified in various ways to produce everything from sparkling wines to rich dessert styles. Its wines are said to range on a spectrum from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Dry styles burst with citrus, green apple, and notes of quince. Sweeter wines possess notes of ripe pear, ginger, and tropical fruit on the milder end, to full-bodied wines with honey, dried apricot, and sometimes even a touch of botrytis character.

The longevity of its wines is also something much talked about. Able to be aged for up to 100 years, oak aging has been noted to contribute a touch of creaminess.

Gruner Veltliner

This white grape variety accounts for a third of all vineyards in Austria, and is widely regarded as the national grape of the country. Most vineyards that boast this variety are found in the country's northeast region.

Famous for its crisp, refreshing style, the wines can range from light and zingy with citrus and white pepper notes, to richer styles with hints of stone fruit. While it may appear a little shy when young, aged wines from this grape are lauded for their fuller bodies with complex notes of celery, honey, lentils and spice.

This variety is not particularly picky regarding the environment it is grown in, but is known to have a broader susceptibility to diseases and mite infestations.

Torrontes

Austria has the Gruner Veltliner, and Argentina has the Torrontes.

Grown almost exclusively in the country, wines made from this grape possess high levels of acidity, are very smooth and typically taste drier on the palate. They are said to have notes of tropical fruits, peach and apricot, along with floral notes of jasmine and sometimes even a hint of spice.

It thrives in Argentina's high-altitude vineyards, particularly in Salta, where the cool climate preserves its vibrant flavors. It's flavor and influence on its wines have been likened to the Muscat grape variety.

Muller-Thurgau

Sounding very much like a warlock from some mythical fantasy world, this white grape's origin story is about as interesting as it sounds. It was first created in 1882 when a Swiss-born professor crossed Riesling with the Madeleine Royale grape variety in Germany’s Rheingau region. This late 1800s birth has led many to consider it the first of many “new breed” grapes.

It is now the second most planted white grape variety in Germany behind Riesling. The variety is more popular in Europe, being planted in such countries such as the UK, Slovakia and Luxembourg. However, countries such as Australia, Japan and even China do raise this variety.

Favoring richer soils, wines from this grape are said to have aromas and flavors of citrus, melon, and elderflower lowers, with a touch of minerality paired with low acidity.

Silvaner

A white grape variety that found popularity post WW2, it was one of the grapes used to make the German wine Liebfraumilch. While the wine soon fell out of favor by the mid 1970s, Silvaner remains the third most popular white grape variety grown in Germany. Known to thrive in chalky soil, the variety is a generally high-yield. 

Two mutations of this grape are the Red Silvaner and Blue Silvaner, which are grown in smaller amounts. They have a certain fanbase, with one German red Silvaner wine from 2017 rated among the top 6% of wines in the country.

Silvaner wines are known for their light body, with floral notes accompanying notes of peach, pear, and a subtle herbal presence. 

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc is another grape in the prestigious Pinot family alongside the red wine Pinot Noir, and white wine Pinot Gris. Interestingly, it's considered a mutation of the genetically-unstable Pinot Noir grape, and a vine of Pinot Noir has been known to produce singular bunches of white grapes while the rest remain black.

Unlike its siblings, it's comparatively hardier, with more resistance to diseases and a toleration of both cooler and warmer environments. Its wines often feature flavors of orchard fruits, citrus, and sometimes even a hint of smokiness. While it can be aged, it is typically bottled for immediate consumption.

Outside of France, Pinot Blanc is popular in the Baden and Palatinate wine regions of Germany (where it is known as Weissburgunder) and in Spain and Italy (where it is known as Pinot Bianco).

Muscat

While the Muscat grape variety has seen more popularity as a table grape in recent years (The Shine Muscat grape variety), it's more of a family of grapes as opposed to a singular one. Most mutations have the word Muscat in the name, such as the Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and Muscat Noir boasting white and black-skinned colors respectively. It is also one of the oldest grape varieties in existence, with origins dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians.

Known to be a particularly aromatic variety, young wines have notes of flowers, citrus, and tropical fruits like apricot and peach. Wine from this grape is known to oxidise fairly quickly, and aged expressions will gain notes of raisin, coffee and toffee.

In places such as California, South Africa and Australia, they are the favored grape to make off-dry or sweet wines under the name of Moscato.

Airen

This is a white grape variety that is a little special. It is traditionally found only in its native Spain, accounting for 30% of all grapes grown in Spain. 

Thriving in the hot, dry growing conditions of central Spain, they have relatively long ripening times but are also very resistant to drought. Due to the grape being planted with lower vine density, its vineyards tend to stretch over vast swaths of land. Due to this, Airén is third in the entire world in terms of planted surface alone, trailing only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

It has mild subtle notes of overripe fruit and flowers, including peaches and apricots. However, some find the variety too subtle in flavor, lacking in acidity while also coming across very alcoholic. This has led to many vineyards uprooting the grape in favor of producing more profitable red wines.

Wines from this grape are hardly drunk as single varietals, and often blended into other spirits, more commonly Spanish brandy.

Roussanne

Roussane is a white wine grape found primarily in the Rhône Valley wine region of France. This variety turns a golden, reddish-brown color when ripe. Also known as russet, its name is actually a derivative from the French word for the color: roux.

It is often blended with its partner grape Marsanne, bringing richness and perfume to iconic white wines like Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. It's a difficult grape to grow, however. Susceptibility to disease is compounded by low yields. They also long growing times but greatly change in flavor if left on the vine for even just a bit too long.

Wines are said to have aromas of white flowers, peaches, and even a touch of spice or herbs. It also has refreshing acidity and a fairly oily texture. While some Roussanne wines are enjoyed young, others can age beautifully, developing honeyed notes and a certain nutty quality to its existing notes.

Garganega

This Italian white grape thrives in Veneto, known for its crisp, dry wines. It is also one of the six most popular white grape varieties in Italy. In the 1960s and 1970s, Soave wines made from this grape were favorably received by wine drinkers, catapulting the variety to certain fame.

Wines made with the variety possess aromas of white flowers and almond, leading to notes of citrus and stone fruits with a touch of minerality. The Garganega vine has a tendency to ripen late and can be very vigorous, potentially producing excessively high yields that lead to very thin and neutral flavored wines.

Due to its high acidity, wines made with this variety typically have good amounts of longevity, and promising potential to be aged in-bottle.

Verdicchio

Primarily found within the Marche region of central Italy. The name Verdicchio is derived from verde (green) and also a reference to the pale yellow-green color of its wines.

Known for its crisp acidity and dry style, it offers a refreshing burst of citrus and pear notes, with also lemon peel and bitter almonds found by wine experts in favorable vintages.

Marsanne

Another white grape commonly found thriving in the northern Rhône wine region, Marsanne is often blended with the aforementioned Roussane. 

While a crop of Marsanne does not have as much risk of failure as the Roussanne variety, Marsanne is prone to underperform if temperature conditions are not ideal, with overly warm conditions producing wine that is very flabby, while overly cold areas might cause the grapes to have a bland and neutral flavor.

Its wines have a deep color, and are said to be rich and nutty, with hints of quince, citrus and pear. Usually high in alcohol, oak aging can develop its body more, making it oiler, with a honeyed texture that emphasises its existing notes while adding notes of stone fruit.

Albarino

The last on this long list of esteemed white grapes is a white grape variety that is found along the North Atlantic coastline of Spain and Portugal. It hails originally from Spain’s Galicia region, where 90 per cent of all grapes grown is this particular variety.

The grape is a fairly hardy one, with wild growths known to be found growing around Poplar trunks and in bushes along the outside margins of fields. It also does well in humid, warm conditions.

Wines have notes of citrus fruits like lime and grapefruit with a distinctive botanical aroma that has hints of apricot and peach. It's flavor profile has been likened to wines made by Viognier and Gewürztraminer.

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.