A Sommelier’s Guide to White Wine Types
Whether splitting a bottle over a catch-up with old friends or choosing the perfect glass to pair with your fine dining experience, white wine is a popular choice among all kinds of wine drinkers. Expert winemakers are quick to share that there are many different white wine types, and it’s no surprise that the broad spectrum of flavors, aromas, and textures that these offerings provide has resulted in white wine becoming a staple of many tables.
You certainly don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy drinking white wines, but understanding them can help you gain a new level of appreciation for their depth and value.
At Bricoleur Vineyards, we come from a long line of Sonoma County winemakers. We’re a family owned and operated winery, and we’ve dedicated our lives to understanding and creating truly remarkable wines.
Ready to learn more about why we love white wines? Read on for our ultimate guide to everything you need to know about the different kinds of white wines and how to enjoy them to the fullest.
Understanding White Wines
Made from harvested green or yellow grapes, white wines come to life during fermentation, where yeast breaks down the sugars into alcohol, giving them their classic crisp yet sweet flavor profiles.
Ranging from a brilliant, deep gold to a pale straw color, white wines are known for their crisp, refreshing taste. Their flavors can range from rich to sweet and creamy to zesty. But what gives white wines such a broad spectrum of delicious flavors?
The secret is in the grape’s terroir – the soil, climate, and location of the vineyard in which they were grown. Terroir plays a massive role in the grape’s characteristics and how the flavor develops. This combined with the vineyard’s unique winemaking techniques for fermentation and aging shapes the wine’s complexity, flavor, and overall character.
Popular White Wine Varieties
Not all white grapes make the same types of white wine. In fact, each grape variety creates a wine as distinct as the fruit it comes from. Here are the most common white wine varieties you should know about.
Chardonnay
One of the most popular white wine grapes, Chardonnay grapes are known for their versatility, producing a variety of styles depending on where they’re grown.
- Flavor profile: Chardonnay grapes grown in Chablis, France have sharper notes of apple and lemon, whereas Chardonnay grapes grown in regions with a warmer climate like California tend to have tropical notes with a buttery texture.
- Food pairing: Lighter Chardonnay goes perfectly with fresh ingredients and seafood, while richer, oak-aged Chardonnay suits creamier, richer dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc
A favorite for many, these grapes produce a crisp, refreshing, and zingy white wine enjoyed by casual and committed wine drinkers alike thanks to its vibrant acidity.
- Flavor profile: Sancerre, France produces a citrusy and earthy glass of Sauvignon Blanc, while wines from the Southern Hemisphere often have notes of juicy tropical fruits.
- Food pairing: Their acidic nature makes Sauvignon Blanc the perfect pairing for tangy dishes like sharp cheeses and fresh seafood.
Viognier
An aromatic Rhône variety, Viognier maintains exceptional brightness while delivering a perfect balance. This dry, fruity wine is perfect for the wine drinker who loves to stop and take in life’s most beautiful moments.
- Flavor Profile: Viognier ranges in intensity, from light and fruity to rich and creamy. Bricoleur’s 2023 Viognier features white peach and nectarineamidst an array of citrus notes.
- Food pairing: When looking for a wine that can handle its spice, turn to Viognier. Pair with Pad Thai, rich seafood dishes, or even a great cheese board.
Unoaked Chardonnay
By fermenting Chardonnay in stainless steel instead of oak barrels, the true flavor of the grapes is truly able to shine.
- Flavor profile: Crisp, bright floral and fruit flavors are the hallmark of Unoaked Chardonnay. Enjoy notes of lemon blossom, pear, and honeydew.
- Food pairing: Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with equally light, creamy dishes. Seafood, pasta, risotto, and salads are the wine’s perfect companion.
A Sommelier’s Tips for Serving White Wine
Whether you’re serving up a full-bodied white wine or opting for a sweet wine, it’s important to serve your white wines correctly to get the most out of their flavor, aroma, and overall tasting experience. Here are a few of our top tips for serving white wine.
A refreshing and uplifting beverage, white wines are always best served chilled. Ideally, a wine temperature of between 45-55°F is best to enhance the flavor of your chosen bottle, as colder temperatures typically bring out the sweetness in wine.
Make sure to serve white wine in a stemmed glass. By holding the stem instead of the receptacle part of the glass, you avoid warming the wine with your hands as you’re drinking it.
Only fill your glass one-third of the way to allow the aromas to develop as you swirl and sip the wine.
Complete your tasting experience with some delicious food to complement your wine. Whether you’re in the mood for something light or a little more indulgent, even the sweetest white wine goes with just about anything, so pick something you’ll enjoy eating as part of the overall sensory experience.
Aging Potential of White Wine
The phrase “aging like a fine wine” exists for a very good reason.
Over time, the character and complexity of white wines becomes all the greater, making them the perfect addition to your wine collection as they appreciate in value.
At Bricoleur Vineyards, we devote particular care and attention to the aging process of white wines to ensure we find the perfect balance between vibrancy and depth. Learn more about our dedication to winemaking here.
Sample the Very Best Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, & Beyond at Bricoleur Vineyards
Whether you love white wine, red wine, or dessert wines (or all of the above!), Bricoleur Vineyards offers a diverse array of locally-grown and produced wines in Sonoma County.
As a family business, our passion for winemaking excellence is second to none – and it shows in every sip of our world-class wines.
Shop the full collection of wines online, or drop by for an in-person tasting experience like no other in our Windsor wine tasting room.