Styles
Here are some common styles of white wine. It is important to note that wine-making methods differ from region to region therefore a varietal may fit into multiple categories.
Light & Dry
- Pinot Grigio – crisp, acidic, zesty lemon flavours, simple, neutral
Regions: Trentino Alto-Adige + Friuli, Italy
California, United States
- Unoaked Chardonnay – crisp, fruity, stonefruit, tropical fruit, acidic
Regions: Niagara, Canada
South Australia, Australia
- Sauvignon Blanc – very sharp acidity, unoaked, grassy, apple, citrus
Regions: Marlborough, New Zealand
Niagara, Canada
Chile
- Soave – blend of Garganega and Trebbiano with possibly Chardonnay. Usually fruity, featuring apple, pear as well as herbs. Some Soaves show a light fizz.
Regions: Veneto, Italy
- Riesling – high acidity, stonefruit, citrus, peach, smoke, honey
Regions: Alsace, France
Niagara, Canada
Eden Valley + Frankland River + Clare Valley, Australia
Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Central Otago + Marlborough, New Zealand
- Muscadet – crisp acidity, sur lies ageing, occasionally a bit salty and/or spritzy, neutral
Regions: Loire Valley, France
- Vinho Verde – crisp, effervescent, fresh, acidic, green, floral, fruity, inexpensive
Regions: Vinho Verde, Portugal
- Verdicchio – high acidity, citrus, spritz, green
Regions: Marche, Italy
- Others: Pinot Blanc, Orvieto, Sparkling Wines, Verdejo, Vouvray
Light & Sweet
- Muscat/Moscato – very low alcohol, very sweet, light spritz, perfume
Regions: Alsace, France
Nova Scotia, Canada
Piedmont, Italy
- Riesling – lower alcohol, high acidity, crisp, apple, citrus, minerality, petrol, honey
Regions: Niagara, Canada
Mosel, Germany
Alsace, France
- Others: Sparkling Wines, Vouvray
Medium & Dry
- Torrontes – high acidity, tropical fruit, peach, grapefruit, lychee, aromatic
Regions: Argentina
- Sauvignon Blanc – high acidity, crisp, grassy, earthy, vegetal, tropical fruit
Regions: Bordeaux + Touraine + Sancerre, France
Marlborough, New Zealand
Chile
- Chardonnay – toasty, buttery, nutty, tropical fruit, stonefruit, vanilla, smooth, creamy, steely (Chablis)
Regions: World-wide
- Fume Blanc/Pouilly-Fume – Sauvignon Blanc that has been aged in oak. Grassy, fruity flavours with a toasty, smokey influence
Regions: Pouilly-Fume, Loire Valley, France
California, United States (Fume Blanc)
- Pinot Gris – crisp, lemon, citrus, melon, peach
Regions: Alsace, France
Oregon, United States
Marlborough, New Zealand
- Gruner-Veltliner – crisp, high acidity, green aromas, pear, apple, lemon, lime, spice
Regions: Austria
Medium & Sweet
- Pinot Gris – smooth, melon, peach, pineapple, citrus, higher alcohol
Regions: Alsace, France
- Gewurtztraminer – aromatic, high acidity, peach, passion fruit, lychee, citrus, floral, honey, perfume
Regions: Niagara, Canada
Alsace, France
Germany
Full & Dry
- Chardonnay – toasty, buttery, smooth, tropical fruit, stone fruit, exotic fruit, creamy, nutty, vanilla, steely (Chablis)
Regions: World-wide
- Chenin Blanc – tropical fruit, nutty, spice, pear, melon
Regions: South Africa
Full & Sweet
- Pinot Gris – High alcohol, smooth, heat, melon, tropical fruit, peach, citrus
Regions: Alsace, France
- Dessert Wines – Many countries and regions produce full bodied, lusciously sweet dessert wines. They come in a variety of styles with differing levels of sweetness, price and flavour profile. Notable examples include: Late Harvest wines & Icewines from Niagara, Canada; Sauternes & Barsac from Bordeaux, France; Sherries from Jerez, Spain; Tokaji from Hungary, Beerenauslese & Trockenbeerenauslese from Germany and many more.