An introduction to white wine

White wine is made from fermenting yellow or green grapes. It dates back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt. Traces of it were even found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. Fruit flavours in white wine include citrus (think lemon, grapefruit and lime), stone fruits (peach and apricot) and tropical (pineapple and mango). Some white wines have floral, herbaceous, mineral, spice and other savory notes too. Popular white wine varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.

There are hundreds of white wines of varying flavour and intensity out there, so there’s something to suit pretty much every palate if you don’t have a go-to grape variety, narrow down by style.

Crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc tend to be lighter and fresher, fruity whites like Pinot Grigio are more vibrant, and rich whites feel fuller in the mouth and can be oaky or buttery like some Chardonnays. Not forgetting sweet white wines like Moscato — think tropical or candied fruits.

If you’re ready to explore white wine, you can’t go wrong by starting with these iconic varieties:

Chardonnay: Unoaked chardonnays are refreshing and crisp with citrus flavours, while oaked Chardonnays, having aged in a barrel, are richer with notes of vanilla, butter and spice.

Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc bursts with green fruits (think grapefruit and gooseberry) and herbaceous notes like grass or bell pepper.

Pinot Grigio: While made from the same grape as Pinot Gris (which tends to be rich), Pinot Grigio is light-bodied with fresh citrus flavours and a touch of minerality — the refreshing sensation reminiscent of wet stones.

Riesling: Riesling ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Dry Rieslings are packed with apple, citrus, and minerality, making them perfect partners for spicy food or Asian cuisine. Sweeter styles offer a touch of honey richness and can be delightful with desserts.

Typically lighter whites like Rieslings are at their best chilled at somewhere between 7- 12 ̊ C. An oakier, richer white like Chardonnay can be just lightly chilled and more like 11 – 12 ̊ C. Ultimately though, it’s up to you and your tastes.

White wine can last three to five days once the bottle is open, as long as you store it in your fridge. Use a rubber or vacuum stopper if you have one — it’ll stop oxygen from getting into the wine and help preserve the flavour. You can drink a bottle beyond 5 days old, but it’ll likely be much duller than it began.

White wine pairs with everything from fresh salads to seafood to spicy dishes. Try Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese, Riesling with Indian food, and Chardonnay with roast chicken. A rule of thumb is to find a wine that matches the flavour intensity of your dish so neither overpowers the other.