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White wines for every taste and budget

One of the main strengths of white wine is its great diversity of styles and aromas.Thus, it will reveal very different taste characteristics depending on its place of production, its winemaking method, or even the grape variety from which it is made. Here is a quick overview of the main varieties from which it can be produced either as a single varietal or as a blend.

Chardonnay is undoubtedly the most famous and widely used white grape in the world. It is often associated with wines that have a rich and buttery profile, such as those from the AOC Meursault or Chassagne-Montrachet, although it can also be used to produce fresher and more mineral wines, as is the case in Chablis. Its typical aromas include green apple, citrus, peach, and apricot.In France, it reigns supreme in Burgundy but can also be found in many other regions such as Jura (Domaine Jérôme Arnoux), the Loire Valley (Domaine Plou & Fils), and even Languedoc-Roussillon (Maison Antech). Other estates such as Au Pied du Mont Chauve, Alain Chavy, François Raquillet as well as the domaines Cheveau, Jaeger-Defaix and Michelot will allow you to discover it in the best possible way.

Sauvignon Blanc is a very popular grape variety, and the wines it produces are generally appreciated for their beautiful, refreshing acidity as well as their notes of citrus, peach, apricot, and sometimes boxwood and exotic fruits.Appellations such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire Valley are among its strongholds. Nevertheless, it is also found in other regions such as Bordeaux where it is regularly blended with Sémillon and Muscadelle in AOC Entre-deux-Mers, Pessac-Léognan or even Sauternes to produce sweet wines. The estates Bernard Fleuriet & Fils, Michel Redde & Fils as well as  Saransot-Dupré and Smith Haut Lafitte will allow you to discover its many facets.

Chenin Blanc is a brilliant grape variety originating from the Loire Valley, used to produce dry, off-dry, sweet, and even sparkling  wines! Demonstrating remarkable versatility, this type of grape can offer a wide range of aromas. Nevertheless, its recurring notes are green apple, quince, peach, and apricot. It is especially renowned in appellations such as Vouvray, Saumur, Savennières, and Coteaux-du-Layon. Discover it through the estate of François and Julien Pinon!

Riesling is a white grape originally from Germany. In France, it is very prominent in Alsace where it produces superb mineral white wines with beautiful acidity.Its usual markers are aromas of green apple, citrus, peach, apricot, and petrol. It pairs divinely well with seafood and shellfish. The estates Barmès-Buecher, Mittnacht Frères, and Boehler are proud standard-bearers of this variety.

Gewurztraminer is a white variety also originating from Alsace and is particularly appreciated for its spectacular aromatic richness, offering notes of lychee, mango, peach, apricot, rose, white flowers, and spices. It can be vinified as dry, off-dry, or sweet wine. The latter pairs especially well with foie gras or desserts.

Marsanne and Roussanne are two varieties originating from the Rhône Valley.These two grape varieties are, in fact, very often blended together in the region due to their great complementarity. Marsanne brings roundness and richness, while Roussanne adds more acidity and finesse to the wines. The white wines from the appellations Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, and Hermitage are, for example, exclusively made from these two varieties. Conversely, in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, they are often used alongside other grape varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. Roussanne is also well established in Savoie, where it is known as Bergeron. Domains such as Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quénard, Boisseyt, or even Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape perfectly represent the aromatic diversity and complementarity of these two grape varieties.

Viognier is a particularly interesting variety. Capable of producing rich, generous, aromatic, and complex white wines, its aromas of peach, apricot, pear, and white flowers make it an excellent choice to accompany rich dishes such as sauced fish or poultry.Flagship of the appellation Condrieu where it is very often aged in oak barrels, it should not be forgotten that it is also present in the Côte Rôtie AOC where it can be blended with Syrah up to 20% (in practice, it rarely exceeds 10%). It is also found in Provence or in Languedoc-Roussillon. This grape pairs very well with fish, characterful shellfish, or even certain cheeses. Discover all its magic through the estates of Boisseyt or Pierre Gaillard.

Grenache Blanc is a grape variety originally from Spain.Very common in the southern Rhône Valley, it is also well established in Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. Rarely used as a single varietal, Grenache Blanc is often blended with varieties such as Clairette, Vermentino, or Roussanne. Wines made from this grape generally offer a lovely roundness and evoke aromas of white fruits and white flowers with moderate acidity. It pairs particularly well with poultry or shellfish such as lobster and scallops. You will notably find this beautiful grape variety at Pierre Usseglio in Châteauneuf-du-Pape or in the renowned white wine from Château Simone in the Palette AOC.

Clairette is a white grape originating from the Rhône Valley, where it is still very present today.This grape variety is also cultivated in Languedoc-Roussillon as well as in Provence. Clairette is often used in blends with other grape varieties but can also be vinified on its own. Wines made from this grape offer floral and fruity aromas, with moderate acidity. You will find it in the white wines of Bandol, notably those from Domaine Tempier as well as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Pierre Usseglio and Château de Beaucastel.

Muscat is a white grape native to the Mediterranean basin that can be vinified as a sparkling wine (AOC Clairette de Die) but also as a dry or sweet wine (AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes, Muscat du Cap Corse, or Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise).Wines made from this grape are generally easy to recognize thanks to their highly expressive and distinctive fruity aromas: peach, pear, citrus, fresh grape, mango, passion fruit… the range is extensive ! Muscat is also used to produce orange wine, as is the case at Domaine des Schistes with the delicious cuvée V.O Orange Wine. In VDN (Vin Doux Naturel), it pairs wonderfully with many desserts. When dry, it is ideally matched with spicy and exotic cuisines as well as sweet and savory dishes.

Savagnin is a white grape variety originating from the Jura, but it is also grown in Switzerland and in Italy. Renowned as the one and only grape used in the famous Vin Jaune (Domaine Jérôme Arnoux), it releases fabulous aromas of dried fruits (walnut, hazelnut), curry, and butter. Vinified in this way, it pairs divinely with aged Comté cheese or chicken with morel mushrooms. However, it can also be vinified in a more conventional manner. In this case, it will express notes of citrus, peach, and green apple, and will pair very well with fish and seafood.

Vermentino (or Rolle) is a white grape variety probably originating from Italy, although its origins are uncertain. Today, it is widely cultivated in Corsica, Provence, and Languedoc-Roussillon. A very noble variety, its aromatic profile evokes white flowers, fruity notes, and is often marked by a beautiful minerality. The white wines from Côtes-de-Provence, such as those from Château Sainte-Marguerite or Domaine Figuière, are a magnificent expression of this style. It can also be found in the AOC Patrimonio within estates like Giudicelli and Yves Leccia. It pairs particularly well with salads, fish, and shellfish. When aged in oak barrels, it develops a rich texture and evolves with woody and spicy aromas (vanilla).

In conclusion, as you can see, given the great diversity of styles, appellations, and grape varieties, there will always be a white wine to suit your taste ! So, whether you enjoy white wines with a rich and buttery profile like certain Chardonnays, the generous fruity aromas of Viognier, or the acidity and minerality of an Albariño, don’t hesitate to seek advice from La Cave Éclairée !

How is white wine made?

White wine is produced through direct pressing of white or red grape varieties. In fact, after separating the grapes from their stems (destemming), the berries are pressed directly (pressing), taking care not to let the juice come into contact with the skins in order to preserve the color of the juice.Then, once the process is complete, the whole is placed in vats, oak barrels, or amphorae to begin fermentation... This is the moment when grape juice truly becomes wine!

So, as you will have understood, since the juice of almost all grape varieties (both white and red) is naturally colorless, it is possible to make white wines from red grape varieties. This is particularly the case in Champagne, where Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are, for example, used to produce sparkling wines of a white color.