It’s fair to say that white is the most enjoyed type of wine around the world. It pairs well with a catch up with friends, a nice meal, and any occasion you can think of in the warmer weather. Why not explore your passion for white wine and sign up for a club?
Winc comes top after plenty of research into which wine club out there has the best selection of whites. It offers creations from some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, helping you taste what the world has to offer at your own leisure. |
White wine is an easy-drinking, all-season favorite at restaurants, bars and homes around the world. Whether you prefer dry white wine, sweet white wine, or something in between, the sheer variety and meal pairing potential of this drink is undeniable.
If you're new to the pleasures of wine drinking and are wondering what the best white wine is, or simply looking to enjoy the most popular white wine available today, read on - this wine guide will give you the answers you need. We'll also cover some of the most popular wine clubs in the US which gives you the opportunity to sample and purchase white wine online.
If you’re happy with the selection of wine that’s available with a club, you’ll want to consider a few other things also. For instance, the time it takes for shipments to arrive, the options for gifts, and whether or not you can cancel right when you want to.
Too many clubs means too much choice. Don’t go to the effort of going through every website just to pick the first one you saw; we’ve done all the work for you. Here are our top ten white wine clubs.
White wine is somewhat of a specialty for Winc; from Southern France to Northern Italy, you’ll find wine from all the best regions right here.
Get the full picture on Winc and have a read of our review.
White wine by the vial. This is what sets Vinebox apart and is why it can keep its per-month prices pretty low.
Explore its options in further detail and find out what we think about it in our review.
Expect to read names on white wine bottles you’ve never heard before and ones you’ve only ever dreamt of trying for yourself.
Decide for yourself if this the club for you and have a read of our review.
Go all in with white wine if you’d like, or combine your favorites with the large selection of rose and red on offer.
Explore what this club has to offer and what our thoughts are here.
If white is your wine of the month, you’re in the right place with this club. There’s a vast selection available and from only the best regions.
White wine without the worry; Dry Farm Wines carries a quality selection but they’re all low-carb.
Read our review of Dry Farm Wines here.
The California-based Firstleaf delivers its abundance of beautifully tasting white wine to the majority of the US.
Learn more about Firstleaf in our review.
Wine Insiders has the option to commit to a subscription and to get your white wine fix with individual orders. All plans can be canceled at any time.
Get the information you need on Wine Insiders in our review.
WSJ has been reviewing white wine and the regions that develop it for decades. You can expect to receive only the best here.
Your first and probably most exciting order of white wine will be heavily discounted at Laithwaites. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
Get full analysis and our thoughts on Laithwaites in our review.
Wine is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from grapes. The name of the grape variety, like Chardonnay, Riesling or Chenin blanc, is used to describe the wine that it produces.
After the grapes are grown and harvested in a vineyard, they are picked, peeled, and crushed to produce the raw grape juice that wine is made from.
The crushed grapes and their juice are placed in vats and allowed to ferment. This process converts the natural sugars in the grapes into alcohol and begins to transform the grape juice into wine. After fermentation, the wine is either bottled or transferred to oak barrels or metal vats to be aged. Ageing allows the wine to develop the variety of flavors that wine drinkers love to experience - both by smelling and tasting their favorite glass of good white wine.
White wine made with green grapes is most common, but sometimes darker-colored grapes are used to make white wine too.
Dry white wine and sweet white wine taste very different- here’s what makes each of them unique.
The sweetness of a wine is due to both sugar and alcohol content. The sweeter the grapes, and the higher the alcohol content, the sweeter the wine will become.
they usually contain less alcohol and sugar and are more acidic.
Here’s an easy rule of thumb: the sweeter the wine, the more alcohol and sugar it contains. The drier the wine, the more acid it contains.
The main difference between white wines and reds is the same as the difference between red and white grapes: the color of their skins. Since white wine is made by peeling and crushing the grapes before they are fermented, the pigments in the grape skin don’t influence the wine’s color that much.
By contrast, red wine is made by leaving the skins on the grapes and crushing them, then fermenting and ageing the juice like white wine. This allows a substance called tannin, which is found in red grape skins, to give red wine its rich, deep flavors.
One of the major differences between white and red wines is the time they take to mature. Since red wines are rich in tannins, they can be very strong-tasting and need to mature for several years before drinking.
White dessert wines like Marsala, as well as Riesling, are some of the best sweet wines for beginners to sample. If the dryness of other wines is a little too much to take at first, starting out with a sweet white wine list is a great way to explore the world of wine.
There are many delicious types of white wine and each is produced by many different white wine brands across multiple geographic areas
Knowing your white wines will let you enjoy your wine tasting experience to the fullest. Here are some of the main sweet white wine types and types of dry white wine that you’ll find on every good wine list.
Main Flavors: Green apple, pineapple, a hint of citrus
To answer what is Chardonnay, this versatile white wine grows successfully in vineyards around the world, but it originates in Burgundy, France. When wondering is chardonnay sweet, the answer is neither sweet nor dry, but it does embody some of the same delicious flavors as many sweet wines.
Apple, pineapple and citrus flavors add a pleasant acidic finish and cut through the sweetness to create a well-rounded taste.
Main Flavors: sweet red apple, melon, ripe pear
Chenin Blanc is another wine with French origins, originating in the Loire region. Depending on the climate and region where it is grown, and how long it has matured, it can range from sweet to off-sweet, or even dry. A glass of Chenin Blanc is a treat for the nose and palate, with soft fruity aromas and flavors like apple, pear and melon.
Main Flavors: Grapefruit, allspice, a hint of licorice
If you’re a fan of sweet wine Gewürztraminer should definitely be on your wine list. This German cultivar is also grown in France and Italy and produces a sweet, luxurious wine that goes very well with spicy dishes. Riesling gewürztraminer is a blended cultivar that brings the sweet fruity flavors of Gewürztraminer together with the acidity of Riesling to produce a lighter, easier-drinking wine.
Main Flavors: apple, stone fruits, and sweet citrus
One of the most unique types of white wine, Grüner Veltliner is grown extensively in Austria. It shares some of the fruity characteristics of Gewürztraminer, but also offers a deeper palate of peach, apricot, and earthy flavors. Grüner Veltliner is often matured in oak barrels, which produce a mellow smoky flavor in the wine.
Main Flavors: Sweet almond, white peach, confectionary
Marsanne is one of the most popular sweet wine types, with a pure, decadent flavor that makes it ideal as a dessert wine. Marsanne’s relatively low acid content gives it a full-bodied character that encourages slow enjoyment. This is definitely a wine to be savored with good conversation on a lazy Sunday or holiday.
Main Flavors: Sweet citrus, orange, tangerine
Muscat brings the sweetness and body of Marsanne to your palate but adds a delightful citrus tang that will remind you of orange cake and sweet marmalade. Grown predominantly in France and Italy, Muscat is a great dessert wine and sparkling wine. It’s also common to find Sauvignon Blanc Muscat and other dry white wine blends, combining citrus sweetness and the green acidity of a drier wine.
Main Flavors: Subtle green apple, a hint of citrus and apricot
Pinot Blanc is like the light, subtle side of chardonnay. Crisp and green, with less weight and more drinkability, it’s a great choice for warm summer days or laid-back dining. In terms of comparing Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Blanc, the lower alcohol and sugar content of pinot blanc make it lighter than Pinot Grigio, which has a sweeter and bolder flavor.
Main Flavors: Sweet pear, melon, a dash of lime
Pinot Grigio, known in France as Pinot Gris, is a sweet but light white wine that goes well with a variety of dishes. This wine is well-suited to outdoor dining and Mediterranean-style meals. Many people ask is Pinot Grigio sweet and is Pinot Grigio dry? Interestingly, it can be both. With elements of dry and sweet, and a well-balanced flavor that comes from lower alcohol levels, Pinot Grigio is a great all-round wine.
Main Flavors: Lime, apple, apricot, stone fruit
There are so many Riesling types out there, from decadently sweet aged varieties to off-dry Riesling that’s great with a seafood platter or delicate salad. When asking is Riesling wine sweet, the answer is not so straightforward. Some varieties are definitely on the sweeter side, while others are drier and lighter. This makes Riesling one of the most versatile white wines of all.
Main Flavors: Citrus, fresh lime
If you prefer semi sweet white wine, Roussanne should definitely be on your white wine list. The green citrus flavors and lower sugar content make this wine light and refreshing.
Main Flavors: Green grass, basil, earthy flavors
Sauvignon Blanc has a subtle flavor profile and is less sweet than many white wines. It has a strongly green taste, with hints of grasses and herbs. This is partly due to the mineral soils where the sauvignon grape grows so well. When inquiring is Sauvignon Blanc sweet, the answer is generally no, but it’s not the driest white wine either. Sauvignon Blanc is ideal for wine drinkers who would like to experiment with a drier palate. Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes called Fumé Blanc - this may indicate that it has been oak barrel-matured.
Main Flavors: Herb, melon, fig
Sémillon Cépage, commonly known as Sémillon, is a dry, delicate wine that is low in acidity. This makes it a good keeper, since it can mature and become more flavorful over time - something that only red wines can usually do.
Main Flavors: peach, orange peel, apricot
You may have seen it on a bottle but wondered what is Viognier? This dry white wine is less well-known compared to some wines on our list. It combines dry and fruity flavors and can be intensely citrusy. When answering what type of wine is Viognier, the simplest explanation is a rare white wine - mostly because it’s difficult to make. Viognier is sometimes added to Syrah (a red wine) to add some fruity notes to its rich flavor.
White wine is produced in countries all over the world. but certain regions stand out for the high quality and flavor of their wines.
The French regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy are home to some of the finest white wine vineyards on earth. The Loire Valley, which produces excellent Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, isn’t far behind. Burgundy in particular is probably one of the best Chardonnay regions you could visit, with award-winning vineyards by the dozen.
Top quality Riesling is produced in Germany’s Mosel region, with its soil and climate producing sweet, acidic grapes that are perfect for this type of wine.
Closer to home, California's Napa Valley is home to some of America’s finest wine producers and has gained a reputation for being one of the world’s best pinot grigio regions.,
Pairing a delicious white wine with an equally delicious meal means double the enjoyment - and it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Here’s how to pair white wine with a variety of food.
In general, try to match sweeter wines with desserts or pastries, and dry wines with savory meals. Sweet goes with sweet.
Ultimately, enjoying wine comes down to personal preference given the numerous options ranging from dry white wine, sweet white wine, and the huge variety of wine cultivars that are available.
When you choose the best white wine to serve at your next get-together, the tips and info in this guide should help you to enjoy your wine tasting experience to the fullest.
If you’re still wondering what types of white wine to buy, joining a white wine club is a great way to sample some of the best white wine available today. Explore our wine club reviews to learn more.
