White Wine

White wine differs from red wine in, first and most obviously, colour. Under that skin, the pulpy part of a white grape is the same colour as that of a red grape. The skin dictates the end colour for red wine. This is mainly due to the pressing of the grapes - when white grapes are picked, they are immediately pressed and the juice is removed from the skins with little contact. Colour in white wine does vary, often from the type of grape, occasionally from the use of wood. Listed below are a few of the most common white varieties in the world wine market. They are listed from lighter bodied, and lighter coloured, to fuller bodied with deeper colours. The list is not set in stone – winemaker's decisions and climate affect a white wine's body and colour – we just give you the guidelines. Grapes/Region Where primarily grown Champagne Champagne, France Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris Alsace, France; Italy; Oregon; California Sauvignon Blanc Loire, France; New Zealand; California; South Africa Chenin Blanc Loire, France; South Africa Riesling Germany; Alsace, France; Australia; New Zealand; Washington State; California Chardonnay Burgundy, France; Australia; California; South America; South Africa; Oregon Viognier Rhone, France; California Other white grapes to notice, listed alphabetically: Grapes Where they grow best Albariño Spain Gewurztraminer Alsace, France; Germany Sémillon Bordeaux, France; Australia