White wines

White wines for all tastes and budgets

One of the main advantages 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 summary of the main varieties from which it can be produced either alone 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 AOC Meursault or Chassagne-Montrachet, although it can also be used to produce fresher and 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) or even Languedoc-Roussillon (Maison Antech). Other estates such as Au Pied du Mont Chauve, Alain Chavy, François Raquillet or 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.Names such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire Valley are its strongholds. Nevertheless, the latter 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 variety originating from the Loire, allowing the production of dry, semi-dry, sweet, and even sparkling wines! Demonstrating remarkable versatility, this type of grape can offer a wide range of aromas. Nevertheless, its recurring markers are green apple, quince, peach, and apricot. It notably shines in appellations such as Vouvray, Saumur, Savennières, and also Coteaux-du-Layon. Discover it thanks to the estate of François and Julien Pinon !

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

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

Marsanne and Roussanne are two varieties originating from the Rhône Valley. These two are, moreover, very often blended in the region due to their great complementarity. Thus, Marsanne will bring body and richness while Roussanne will give more acidity and finesse to the wines. The whites of the Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage appellations, for example, are made exclusively with these two varieties. Conversely, in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, they are often used in addition to other grape varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. Roussanne is also well established in Savoie, where it is then called Bergeron. Estates such as Gilles Berlioz, Jolivet, 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 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 present in Provence or in Languedoc-Roussillon. This one pairs very well with fish, characterful shellfish, or even certain cheeses. Discover all its magic thanks to the estates of Boisseyt or Pierre Gaillard.

Grenache Blanc is a grape variety originating from Spain. Very present in the south of the 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 variety generally have 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 famous white from Château Simone in the Palette AOC.

Clairette is a white grape native to 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 present floral and fruity aromas, with moderate acidity. You will find it in the whites of Bandol, notably those from Domaine Tempier or also at Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Pierre Usseglio and at Château de Beaucastel.

Muscat is a white grape originating from the Mediterranean basin that can be vinified as sparkling (AOC Clairette de Die) but also as 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 easily recognized thanks to their very expressive and typical fruity aromas: peach, pear, citrus, fresh grape, mango, passion fruit... the range is wide ! 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 Jura but is also grown in Switzerland and in Italy. Recognized as the one and only grape of the famous Vin Jaune (Domaine Jérôme Arnoux), it then exudes fabulous aromas of dried fruits (walnut, hazelnut), curry, and butter. Vinified in this way, it pairs divinely well with aged Comté cheese or chicken with morel mushrooms. However, it can also be vinified in a more conventional manner. It will then 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, in Provence, as well as in 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 it. It can also be found in AOC Patrimonio within the Yves Leccia estate, or further south in Corsica at Clos Canarelli. 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 have understood, 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, do not 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 berries 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 keep the color of the juice intact. Then, once the operation 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, the juice of almost all grape varieties (white as well as red) is naturally colorless, so 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 white color.