White Wines 101
Are you looking for new and flavourful white wines to add to your wine fridge? Or on the hunt for an easy-drinking wine to mix up your regular red rotation?
Whichever category you fall into, we're here to help you find a white wine that you're going to love.
Let's start with the basics.
How is White Wine Made?
All wines begin with pressing. Pressing is the process for separating the juice from from the skins, seeds, and stems, which will eventually become the wine that we know and love!
For this process, a bladder press is most commonly used. Using a pneumatic press gently squeezes the juice away from the grape solids, which separates the juice in one container, and the rest of the grape in another. The gentler this process is done, the higher quality the wine!
From here, the white wine juice is transferred into vats to ferment - this is when we add yeast to start creating alcohol. White wines ferment in cooler temperatures (50°F and 65°F) in closed stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and delicate structures of the fruit. At this point, the white grape skins are put back into the juice to create contact for flavour and structure.
White wine generally spend less time with skin contact than red wines. Since the skins don’t rest long in the juice, we don’t get a lot colour or tannins in a white wine. But we do get lighter, fresher wines!
At this point, the wine is created and ready to be aged - this is mostly commonly done in stainless steel vats, concrete tanks, clay, or wooden barrels. Depending on the style of the wine and the winemakers' creativity, they move wine through different vehicles in order to achieve the desired taste. Then, they continue to be aged in the bottle.
What Does White Wine Taste Like?
Generally, white wines have notes of florals, citrus, stone fruits, orchards, and mainly a brighter acidity with no tannins. Tannins are more often found in red wines, and have a signature bitter taste that can leave your mouth feeling dry.
Curious which white is the one for you? Keep reading for three of the most popular, easier-drinking varietals to try!
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is crisp and light, often with floral and stone fruit notes.
Contrary to what most people might think, the grape itself is actually quite dry. But, mass production of this popular varietal has created tons of very sugary and bland tasting wines, leaving people with a "bad" taste in their mouths when it comes to this awesome wine.
Our pick for an amazing Pinot Grigio? AnticaVigna!
AnticaVigna Pinot Grigio is full-tasting and low-sugar. Although it is a light wine, you can really taste the richness and flavour of the grape with its citrus aromas, and notes of pears, mangos, and apples on the palate.
Wondering what to drink it with? Go for seafood or stuffed mushrooms (or enjoy it as the perfect pre-dinner drink)!
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is famous for being zesty and crisp with tropical fruit aromatics, grassy notes, and bright acidity.
From Marlborough, New Zealand, our pick is Misty Cove Estate Sauvignon Blanc - it's a total crowd pleaser! This Sauvignon Blanc has notes of lemon, lime, mandarin, freshly cut grass, and slight flint.
Due to Sauvignon Blanc being a generally light wine, it's best to keep your food pairings light as well. Our favourites? Chicken, goat cheese, and veggies! Be sure to include a glass with your favourite refreshing Spring salad this season.
Chardonnay
Often oak aged, and if so, Chardonnay is known for its vanilla and toasty aromatics, with blush apple notes and a spiced finish.
Our go-to Chardonnay is Blazon, from Lodi, California. Medium-bodied and aged for 10 months in 70% French oak, 20% American oak, and 10% Hungarian oak, you can expect the flavours and aromas that make Chardonnay famous.
With its rich, creamy texture, and bright citrus aromas with flavors of white peach, tangerine, baking spice, and vanilla, enjoy this bottle with your favourite creamy dishes and cheeses!