What Is White Wine?
White wine is one of the most refreshing and versatile wines in the world. One glass might transport you to the sunny vineyards of California, the next to the rolling hills of Burgundy or the coastal vineyards of New Zealand. With hundreds of white grape varieties and thousands of wines available, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to begin.
As you may already know, white wine is made from green or yellow grape varieties that are fermented without their skins. Removing the skins before fermentation gives white wine its lighter colour, bright acidity, and fresh fruit flavours.
Six quick facts
Red grapes can make white wine - yes, you heard me. You can actually make white wine from red grapes! Since the colour comes from the skins, winemakers simply peel them away or press the juice out quickly so it doesn't stay in contact with the red skins.
As white wine ages, it actually gets darker - while red wines tend to lose colour over time, a pale straw-coloured white can turn into a deep, golden amber after a few years in the bottle.
A chill pill - serving white wine too cold is a common mistake. If it’s too icy, you’ll miss out on all those beautiful aromas. Aim for "fridge cold" (around 7–10°C) for crisp whites, and slightly warmer for richer styles like Chardonnay.
The Glass Matters - white wine glasses usually have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses. This helps preserve those delicate floral and citrus scents and keeps the wine cooler for longer by reducing the surface area.
Age is just a number - unlike some heavy reds, most white wines are designed to be enjoyed young and fresh. About 90% of white wine is meant to be corked and enjoyed within a year or two of its vintage.
Silver medal for calories - on average, white wine tends to have slightly fewer calories than red wine. So, if you’re looking for a "lighter" way to enjoy a glass, white wine is your best friend!
Despite being called 'white' wine, the grapes the wine is made from are green, giving the wine its own distinctive colour.
The four main types of white wine
Even if you’re convinced white wine isn’t your thing, we’d recommend giving it another taste. After all, there are over 600 white wine grape varieties in the world, so odds are there’s one that will tickle your palate. Why not start off with these popular varieties?
Chardonnay
Unoaked Chardonnays are known for their refreshing, crisp character, showcasing bright citrus flavours like lemon and lime, often with a clean, mineral finish. In contrast, oaked Chardonnays are aged in wooden barrels, which gives them a fuller taste with complex notes of vanilla, butter, and spice. This ageing process gives the wine a smoother, creamier texture, making oaked Chardonnays a popular choice for those who like something a tad more decadent.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a vibrant and lively white wine that bursts with refreshing green fruit flavours, such as tangy grapefruit and tart gooseberry. It’s also known for its distinctive herbaceous qualities, bringing the mind to fresh lime, gooseberry, bell pepper, and sometimes even hints of freshly cut grass or asparagus. This wine is typically crisp and refreshing, with a zesty acidity that makes it a great match for fresh seafood, salads, or dishes with herbal ingredients.
See our range of Sauvignon Blanc
If there's one thing Bill and Claudia Small know, it's how to make a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Pinot Grigio
Though made from the same grape as Pinot Gris (which is often rich and full-bodied), Pinot Grigio is notably lighter in style. This crisp, refreshing white wine features bright citrus flavours, including notes of lemon, lime, and green apple. It often has a subtle touch of minerality, evoking the sensation of wet stones or flinty earth. This makes Pinot Grigio an ideal choice for those tempted by a clean, refreshing wine with a lively, zesty finish. Plus, it’s perfect for warm weather.
Riesling
Riesling is a versatile white wine that ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Dry Rieslings are crisp and vibrant, filled with flavours of apple, citrus, and minerality, making them ideal for pairing with spicy foods or Asian cuisine. On the other hand, sweeter Rieslings bring more honeyed richness and a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity. These wines are perfect companions to desserts, adding life to cakes, pastries, or fresh fruit-based dishes.
Riesling is such a versatile grape. Jen Pfeiffer's Rock it Like a Redhead Riesling is perfect if you're looking for a citrusy, crisp white.
Which is the best white wine?
The "best" white wine is totally up to your own taste and the occasion. Sauvignon Blanc offers crisp, citrusy freshness; Chardonnay ranges from buttery richness to bright acidity; Riesling spans dry to sweet, perfect for spicy dishes; and Pinot Grigio is light and refreshing. For high-quality, hand-picked options, check out our white wine selection and find some new favourites.
How is white wine made?
Good question. It all starts with the winemaker carefully selecting vineyards and grapes (think Michelin-starred chef choosing ingredients), before the chosen grapes are harvested and crushed. Then it’s onto pressing to remove the grape skins, stalks and seeds. (These are left in with red grapes as they give red wine its colour and tannins – the stuff that creates a drying effect in the mouth.)Â
Next up is fermentation, where yeast grows among the grapes and turns their natural sugars into alcohol. This happens in either oak barrels or steel vats and typically takes between two to four weeks.
Your oakier whites will age further in, you guessed it, oak barrels, which allow more oxygen into the wine and develop flavours like toast, vanilla or even spice. (Steel vats keep oxygen out so the white wine can ​​hold on to its fruitier, freshness.)
Barrel ageing
Where is white wine made?
White wine is made in many regions worldwide, with notable production areas in France (Bordeaux, Burgundy), Italy (Tuscany, Veneto), Spain (Rueda, Rioja), and the United States (California, Oregon). Other significant regions include Australia, New Zealand, and South America, particularly Chile and Argentina. Each area serves up unique flavours based on local climate and terroir.
Burgundy, France
A historic winemaking region steeped in prestige and known for its Chardonnays (and Pinot Noirs for any red wine drinkers). It’s a mosaic of vineyards, each with its own combination of sunshine, slopes and soil that creates unique, distinct wines. Its fanciest, called Grand Crus under the region’s classification system, are among some of the world’s most sought-after white wines. Burgundy Chardonnays tend to be rich but elegant, with green apple and citrus flavours and a creamy or buttery feel.Â
California, USA
With wineries making Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and even white blends, California is a safe bet for any white wine lover. Not only is it home to a variety of grapes, it’s home to a variety of climates, and each climate produces its own style of wine. Those from cooler coastal regions like Sonoma are often crisp, mineral Sauvignon Blancs, while in warmer inland areas like Lodi and Central Valley you’ll get richer, fruitier Chardonnays.
The stunning Californian sunset is the perfect backdrop for winemakers to work their magic and produce a delicious white wine.
Marlborough, New Zealand
Marlborough on New Zealand’s South Island has become synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc. Its cool climate, never-ending sunshine, and free-draining soils mean it’s a wonderland for the grape, and set apart its Sauvignons from those made elsewhere. With Marlborough Sauvignon you get tropical fruit flavours, mouthwatering tartness and sometimes minerality too.
Serving and storing advice
Typically, lighter whites like Riesling are best served chilled between 7-12°C, allowing their crisp and refreshing citrus flavours to shine. In contrast, oakier and richer whites, such as Chardonnay, should be lightly chilled around 11-12°C to maintain their smooth texture and complex notes. Ultimately, however, the ideal temperature depends on your personal taste preferences.
Once opened, white wine can last three to five days if stored properly in the fridge. To preserve its freshness, use a rubber or vacuum stopper to minimize oxygen exposure, which can affect the wine's flavour. While you can still drink wine beyond five days, the taste will likely be less vibrant, as the wine will lose some of its initial complexity and character. Proper storage is key to enjoying wine at its best, especially if you’re sipping it over multiple days.
White wine loves food
A general guide when pairing food with wine is to find a wine that matches the intensity of the flavours in the dish. Classic combinations include:
The crisp acidity in Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris works perfectly with fresh seafood and salads, and cuts through creamy goat’s cheese.
With a bit more body or weight to them, unoaked Chardonnay like Chablis and Viognier can stand up to richer seafood like lobster and creamy pasta sauces.
For fuller-bodied whites like oaked Chardonnays, try salmon, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto and hard cheeses like Gruyère.
Drinking Champagne? Give fried chicken a go – yes, really – the bubbles and crisp acidity of Champagne cut through the fatty meat. Delicious.
Pro tip: If you’re stuck, you can’t go wrong with a Sauvignon Blanc. It’s one of the food-friendliest white wines out there thanks to its vibrant flavours and acidity that’ll balance anything from chips and guacamole to sashimi.
But remember, don’t worry about so-called wine rules, every palate is different so you should drink the wine you actually want to drink.
Seafood and white wine are a classic combo. If you're an oyster fan, you can't go too far wrong by pairing them with a zesty Sauvignon Blanc.
Three top tipsÂ
Don’t wait for a special occasion to enjoy white wine – it's perfect for everyday moments, whether you're having a casual dinner or unwinding after a busy day. Try making a spritzer by mixing your favourite white with a splash of sparkling water and a few ice cubes for a refreshing twist. Or pair it with fresh fruit like berries, citrus, or melon for a light, fun pairing.
Don’t forget to explore white wines from different regions. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand might surprise you, while a buttery Chardonnay from California is a different kind of treat. Each region has its own unique flavours and styles, which means every bottle is a new adventure.
To truly savour the wine, serve it chilled – just not too cold! Aim for 7-12°C to bring out its best aromas and flavours. Too cold, and you’ll miss the depth. So pop open a bottle, experiment with pairings, and discover your new favourite way to enjoy white wine.
Let’s sum things up
White wine offers a delicious line-up of flavours, with popular varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio each bringing something unique to the table. Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and zesty, often with bright citrus and grassy notes. Chardonnay can range from buttery and rich to crisp and refreshing, depending on how it's made. Riesling offers everything from dry to sweet, with floral and fruity aromas. Pinot Grigio is light, crisp, and refreshing, perfect for casual sipping.
Remember, there’s no single "best" white wine – it’s all about personal preference and finding the right match for your taste buds and the meal at hand. Whether you're enjoying a fresh seafood dish or a light salad, the right wine can take your experience to the next level.
Also, white wine is more than just a drink, it's an experience. Whether you're relaxing with friends, sharing a meal, or savouring a quiet moment, white wine adds a touch of joy and celebration to everyday life.
No matter what type of white wine you enjoy, drinking it with good company is always a pleasure.
Drink Naked
Explore our curated selection of white wines, jam-packed with unique bottles from talented winemakers around the world. Each wine is hand-picked with exceptional quality and distinct flavours, giving you a chance to discover a whole world of new favourites. Plus, with every bottle, you're supporting independent winemakers while sipping wines crafted with passion and expertise. What’s not to love?
