Calling all white wine lovers! It’s time to pour into the details about some of you favorite white wine grapes to expand your sipping adventures. The more you know, the better the wine.

Click on through our overviews to learn more about the whine wine grapes in the list below. Sip it all in! (Learn more about red wine grape varieties.)

Did you know… White wine grapes are green (not white!) and are derived from the red grape?!?

What is White Wine?

White wine is a delightful beverage made from white or green-skinned grapes, fermented without skin contact. This process results in a clear or pale yellow liquid that we all know and love. Interestingly, white wines can be crafted from both white and red grapes, as the absence of skin contact during fermentation is what keeps the wine light in color. Popular grape varieties used in white wine production include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. These wines offer a wide range of flavors and styles, making them a favorite among wine enthusiasts.

Characteristics of White Wine

White wines are celebrated for their crisp acidity and light, refreshing flavors. Typically, these wines are made from grapes that are harvested earlier than their red counterparts, which enhances their acidity and keeps the flavors bright and lively. Most white wines skip the oak aging process, which further accentuates their crisp taste. When you sip a white wine, you can expect delightful notes of citrus and tree fruits, a refreshing departure from the berry and plum flavors often found in red wines. White wines can range from dry to sweet, with varieties like Riesling and Moscato offering naturally sweeter profiles.

White Wine Production

The production of white wine involves a series of steps that differ slightly from those used in red wine production. Once the grapes arrive at the winery, the first task is to separate the desired components of the wort from the unwanted parts. The grape clusters are typically shaken and then trampled to release the juice and pulp. To enhance the extraction of varietal aromas, winemakers may soak the skins of white grapes and practice maceration. The trampled and de-stemmed harvest is then pressed using a wine press, a crucial step that influences the potential quality of the wine. This meticulous process allows white wines to be produced and bottled in a relatively short time compared to most red wines.

White Wine Grapes

The world of white wine is incredibly diverse, with over 100 different types of white wine grapes grown globally. Some of the most popular white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Albariño. Each of these grape varieties brings its unique characteristics and flavor profiles to the table, making white wine an exciting category to explore. Other notable white wine grapes include Pinot Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Vermentino, and Muscadet. Whether you’re a fan of crisp and refreshing wines or those with more complex flavors, there’s a white wine grape variety out there to suit your palate.