White wine

1. The Production of White Wine

When the grapes arrive at the winery, the bunches (white or red) are destemmed—that is, the berries are separated from the stems. Next comes the crushing stage. The berries are gently crushed to release their juice. They are then sent directly to a press.

Next comes the settling process, which is an essential step in defining the wine’s character. The juice from the press is pumped into a settling tank. The must obtained from the press is then transferred to a tank to allow for settling. The particles that cause the juice to become cloudy sink to the bottom of the settling tank, and the clear juice is then collected and transferred to a fermentation tank or barrels.

The fermentation period required to complete alcoholic fermentation ranges from fifteen days to a month and a half for a dry white wine. It is much longer for a sweet wine and can last several months.

Next comes the aging process, except for young wines. Before being bottled, the wine undergoes a number of steps designed to enhance its qualities and preserve its unique character. It may be filtered to give it its full brilliance.

Blending is also a crucial stage in a wine’s life; in appellations where multiple grape varieties are permitted, this involves creating the wine by combining different types of grapes. Next comes bottling, which allows wine enthusiasts to continue the aging process in their own wine cellars.

2. Sweet or dessert wines

In addition to a longer fermentation period, sweet and dessert wines are produced using various methods, which may or may not be combined. One example is late harvesting, which involves leaving the grapes on the vine so that their sugar content concentrates under the sun’s rays. Off-vine drying is a technique that involves allowing the water in the grapes to evaporate after harvest. In certain terroirs, climatic conditions allow for the development of noble rot on the grapes. This technique is used to produce Sauternes, Monbazillac, and certain Loire Valley wines such as Coteaux du Layon Chaume. Finally, sugar concentration can be achieved through cold pressing. The chilled grapes retain frozen water crystals within them and, under pressure from the press, release only the sweetest juice. This technique allows for the production of sweet wine in regions where climatic conditions would otherwise not permit it, though the aromas are altered.

3. White Wine Grape Varieties

There are a wide variety of grape varieties used to make white wine. It should be noted that the grapes used can be white or red with white flesh; only the white juice is used to make the wine. Maceration, which gives red wines their color, is a step that does not occur in the production of white wines. Among the most commonly used white grape varieties are: Chardonnay B from Burgundy, and Sauvignon B, whose cultivation has spread considerably in France, the United States, and South Africa. The vineyards of Alsace use a grape variety well-suited to harsh climatic conditions: Riesling B. While this list is not exhaustive, other varieties worth mentioning include: Chenin B in the Loire Valley, Viognier in the Rhône Valley, White Grenache, Sémillon B in the Bordeaux region, Maccabeu B in Spain or in Languedoc and Roussillon, and Ugni Blanc in Italy... As mentioned, certain grape varieties with pink or red skins are also used to produce white wines: Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir...

4. White Wine Regions

The major white wine-producing regions are partly determined by consumer preferences. For example, in South Africa, Australia, and the United States, white wine consumption outpaces that of red or rosé wines. Wine-growing regions are therefore more often geared toward white wine production. France stands out as an exception, with white wine consumption accounting for only a very small share of the total; nevertheless, as an exporter, it boasts several very large white wine-producing regions. In addition to Champagne, the Loire Valley, Alsace, and the Jura produce white wines of excellent reputation. The Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, however, boast appellations renowned for the quality of their white wines: Sauternes, Barsac, Chablis, Meursault...

5. A Few Legendary White Wines

Château Yquem from Sauternes is undoubtedly one of the most famous wines of all time. This prestigious estate goes so far as to sacrifice harvests to protect its reputation, sometimes skipping certain vintages, such as 1974 or 1992. It is, however, a sweet wine. Among dry whites, there is no single wine that stands out quite so prominently in terms of fame, but certain names often come to mind when discussing exceptional white wines: Château Laville Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan, the Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Mouches, or the Montrachet Marquis Laguiche from Domaine Joseph Drouhin, Château Grillet in the Rhône Valley, or La Coulée de Serrant in the Loire Valley.

6. White Wine and Food Pairings

Pairing white wines is, once again, primarily a matter of taste and following basic rules; the rest comes with experience and personal preference. However, it’s clear that a sweet, syrupy wine won’t pair well with the same dishes as a dry white wine. The former can be enjoyed as an aperitif, with foie gras, lobster, blue cheese, or certain desserts. A dry white wine pairs well with non-fatty fish—whether grilled or marinated—or with white meats. Certain white wines can serve as a go-to option for dishes that are difficult to pair, such as soups, salads, or eggs; in these cases, one should choose dry white wines that are more or less lively or more or less full-bodied to counteract the effect certain foods have on the palate.