White Wine

(1947 products)

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