While you might consider white wine a beverage reserved only for housewives and yacht owners, it's actually something everyone can enjoy. Especially in the warmer summer months, white wine is the perfect drink to serve at cook-outs and to enjoy in the evening sitting outside on your patio. It's light, refreshing, and because it comes in many varieties, there's a white wine out there for everyone.
Check out our guide below to learn more about the different types of white wine. Once you've figured out which style of wine sounds most appealing to you, check out our different ingredient kits to get started on making your own wine.
Moscato
Moscato is typically a semi-sweet to sweet wine with a medium alcohol content, and is full of some great flavors like peach, orange blossom and jasmine! It's not just for sweet wine lovers though! Moscato wines tend to have a higher level of acidity, and this helps to balance out the sweetness, which makes it very approachable for dry wine lovers! Lastly, it is often used as an alternative to champagne. So if you aren't partial to bubbles, try Moscato next time, instead!
Pour a glass of Moscato after dinner when you're winding down from your day with dessert, or on its own. It's flavorful enough by itself that you might find you don't need to pair it with anything.
Flavor profile: Sweet, mild
Tasting notes: Bright and grapefruity
Pairs well with: Appetizers and desserts, fresh fruit and berries
Riesling
Rieslings are one of the most aromatic wines on the planet, and can be found in sweet AND dry versions. Most people would describe Riesling as a refreshing wine that pairs well with meats and bold-flavored foods. Riesling is considered a popular, accessible table wine because of its versatility and mild flavors.
Flavor profile: Sweet or dry, floral, tangy
Tasting notes: Citrus and stone-fruit flavors (peach, nectarine), honeycomb
Pairs well with: Ham and pork
Pinot Grigio (aka Pinot Gris)
Pinot Grigio typically comes from Italy and France, with the flavors from each region varying slightly from one another. With a medium body, Pinot Grigio is an easy-drinking wine and a good introductory white wine for folks just getting used to drinking it. It blends well with a variety of foods and is always a good wine to have on hand. So, when in doubt, go with a Pinot Grigio.
Flavor profile: Dry, mild, crisp
Tasting notes: Bright and lively, citrus (lime and green apple), with hints of pear
Pairs well with: Spicy food, flavorful seafood
Chardonnay
Chardonnay originated in Burgundy, France but is one of the most popular-selling wines in the United States. It's a more complex wine and has a wide spectrum of tasting notes. Chardonnays can be crisp and fruity, while those that have gone through malolactic fermentation might taste buttery and full. No matter which style you prefer, Chardonnay is a classic choice that most people find they can enjoy.
Flavor profile: Dry, medium to full-bodied
Tasting notes: Ranges from fruity and light to oaky and buttery
Pairs well with: Seafood and fettuccine alfredo
Sauvignon Blanc
The driest variety of white wine, Sauvignon Blanc is a light wine that to us, screams hot summer day. This style of wine is an affordable choice and is a good alternative to Chardonnay if you are looking for a wine that is less rich and more "snappy" to pair with rich foods like lobster, crab, and cream sauces. Pair it with your favorite dish, or just sip on it alone for a clean, refreshing drink!
Flavor profile: Very dry, light to medium-bodied
Tasting notes: Tart, citrusy fruit flavors
Pairs well with: Lemon-flavored fish and chicken
Ready to take a stab at making your own wine at home? It's not as hard as you think it is, we promise. Check out the
top 10 reasons to make your own wine, and get ready for a summer full of homemade white wine!
Cheers,
Bryan
