Interesting Facts About White Wine
Whites Generally Contain Less Alcohol and Fewer Calories Than Reds
The differences aren’t exactly huge in terms of nutritional value. But red wine is known for having higher levels of alcohol, and with that comes more calories. For the average glass of red wine, it’s around 160 calories; for white wine, it’s closer to 140 calories per glass.
Full-bodied reds actually contain closer to the 200 mark, so if you’re looking to lose weight, stick to light whites. Reisling is a good choice for those looking to mind their figure.
White Wine Gets Darker With Age
You wouldn’t be blamed for expecting the opposite. But as white wine ages, you’ll notice the pigments become darker, turning into more of a brown color. With red wine, it actually starts to turn into a much lighter color - more like orange, in fact.
If the vintage bottle of white you’ve got stored away contains low acidity levels, you’ll notice the color transformation happen a lot sooner than high-acidity wines, like Pinot Grigio.
Chardonnay Is The World’s Favorite White Wine
Who’d have guessed it? Well, most people, surely. Jokes aside, it’s hardly surprising when you consider that Chardonnay is available on just about every grocery store shelf, restaurant menu, and is one of the easiest white wines to produce.
This grape variety, first produced in the cooler climates of Southern France, can be adapted to temperatures around the world, which is why a lot of winemakers favor it. Plus, it’s so prevalent with wineries in California due to its high yield, which likely explains why it’s so popular across North America.
White Wine Clubs Are Often Cheaper Than Grocery Stores
It might seem a lot easier to just grab a bottle from the grocery store on your way home from work, but it’s certainly not cheaper in most cases. And there are plenty of reasons for this.
The exclusive wine you get from white wine clubs is sourced from some of the greatest regions around the world, and to get your hands on those would otherwise be pretty difficult. If they’re available in a grocery store, you’ll notice that the markup is a lot more than what you’d find with wine clubs. Plus, ordering three bottles or more, and with access to member discounts, you can get the best for less.
Many white wine clubs actually produce their own wines, also. Though you might not be familiar with the brand, you’re still getting high-quality wine at a lower cost. And if you don’t like them, you’ll get your money back - no questions asked.
FAQs
How Is White Wine Made?
Making white wine is so simple that anyone can do it from home with just a little bit of research. You don’t need a huge vineyard or a bunch of old barrels to store your creations in. All you need is the fruit, somewhere to ferment it, and you’re well on your way to taking grape to glass.
Let’s assume the winemaker has already grown and picked the grapes, the typical method is:
Press The Grapes: The grapes will go straight into what’s known as a wine pressing machine. The juice is collected and will be left to settle for a while. This is how all of the skins and seeds are filtered out. By adding sulfur dioxide, the necessary bacteria will avoid any spoilage.
Yeast, Yeast, Yeast: Yeast is either added at this stage or the winemaker will wait for natural yeast to develop. The latter method is more time-consuming and complex, but both methods are important. After all, you can’t have alcohol without yeast!
Fermentation: Once around 14 days have passed, the wine will have reached optimum fermentation. To achieve the right results, white wine is fermented at a much cooler temperature than red. Plus, the important flavors and aromas white needs can be lost with open fermentation tanks, so little exposure to oxygen is important.
The winemaker will then put the solution through a second fermentation. This is less about fermentation, however, and more about allowing the acids to convert.
The Lees Needs Stirring: When the wine is fully fermented and is being stored, winemakers will stir the solution to mix all the dead yeast up from the bottom, which is known as lees. Despite how it sounds, this dead yeast actually adds flavor.
When Is The Right Time To Sign Up For A White Wine Club?
There’s no better time than now! White wine’s a refreshing drink that goes great with the summer sun, but you can treat yourself to it all year round!
It makes the perfect accompaniment to plenty of dishes, for dessert, and for simply socializing with friends - regardless of the weather. Besides, the best white wine clubs know exactly which blends should be made available during the colder months and will let you know the ideal temperatures for them to be served at.
What Are The Most Popular Types Of White Wine?
As mentioned above, Chardonnay is the go-to for most people around the world when it comes to white wine. But there are others to enjoy that have maintained popularity over the years. Some other top white wines include:
Pinot Grigio: Known for its fruity profiles, Pinot Grigio originates from the rich soil of Italy’s vineyards. It tends to be less sweet than Chardonnay with it being more acidic.
Muscat Blanc: This white grape variety was first found in Greece and can be used to make a range of wines - from sweet to sparkling. You’ll taste notes of pear and honey when drinking.
Riesling: Riesling originates from the Rhine region and is used to make dry, sweet, and semi-sweet wine. It’s known for its floral aromas.
Sauvignon Blanc: Perhaps one of the wider-known varieties, Sauvignon Blanc originates from the Bordeaux region of France. Green apple and white peach are some of its most prominent flavor profiles.
Which Glasses Should I Use For White Wine?
There are two glasses you’ll want to use for white wine, but you’ll notice that both have a much narrower bowl. That’s because it’s important to help keep all those important fruity flavors locked into the glass and to preserve temperature.
For white wine, you’ll want to use a Chardonnay glass or a Viognier glass. The former sustains Chardonnay’s freshness while also unlocking its flavor profiles, such as nuttiness. These can be used for big, mature whites, also. The Viognier glass, on the other hand, is one that should be used for just about every other white, though it works especially well with lighter wines.
What’s The Difference Between Red and White Wine (Besides The Obvious)?
There are a few differences between red and white wines, most notably that red is actually somewhat good for you due to its higher tannin levels. One key difference, though, is in the processing. Red wine is made with the skins and seeds included because, without them, the end product would be a clear liquid. These are removed when producing white wine.
Another important difference between the two is that they both should be paired with different foods. This brings us to the next point.
What Are The Best Food Pairings For White Wine?
One of the many great things about white wine clubs is that with every purchase, most of them will tell you exactly the types of dishes you’re best off serving them with. But if you feel like going off-piste, know that poultry is a great place to start from.
White wine is a lot lighter than red, so it works best with lighter proteins, such as seafood, and creamy pasta dishes. White lends itself to anything that’s a little spicy, too, since the sweetness may help offset the heat.
Red wine is best enjoyed with fattier proteins and more dense dishes, such as stews and tomato-based sauces.
Do I Need A Decanter For White Wine?
All wine can be decanted, and certainly benefits from doing it. Whether you need one or not depends on the passion you have for drinking white wine. If you plan on joining a club, we certainly recommend buying one.
Just remember to buy a smaller one as this usually works better for white. And be sure to decant only around five to 15 minutes prior to drinking, otherwise, it’ll begin to lose its freshness as well as temperature.
